Abmd70.169
net.columbia
utzoo!decvax!duke!bmd70!jcp
Thu Nov 19 01:07:40 1981
Aviation Week Nov 16
Highlights of the November 16, 1981 Aviation Week and Space Technology:
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       This review is entirely dedicated to Space Shuttle/Program
       news due to the high volume of Space Technology articles following
       the flight of STS-2.  A second review of the non-shuttle articles
       may be prepared later in the week if time permits.

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Space Shuttle: Mission Control Transfer
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       NASA is considering transfering Shuttle mission control operations
from the Johnson Space Center in Houston to Kennedy Space Center at
Cape Canaveral, and for military launches, to Vandenburg Air Force Base
when the launch complex there is complete.
       The move is unlikely before 1984.

NASA Advanced Concepts Outline: - Future Directions in Space?
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       An advanced, reusable unmanned heavy launch vehicle is being
considered, using shuttle type technology.  An effort underway at the
Marshall Space Flight Center centers on clustering the 2.9 mill. lb
thrust SRBs from the space shuttle, in groups of 3 or more to form
a heavy lift vehicle designated SRB-X.
       NASA may deemphasize civilian space usage in favor of a more
military emphasis to develop more advanced hardware for strategic
applications, such as reconnaissance from geo-synchronous platforms.
       Science experiments that can be performed from earth orbit
will be emphasized, possibly at the expense of planetary exploration,
to make maximum use of the Shuttle.  When a manned space station becomes
a reality, planetary sample return missions will probably take precedence.
       The possibility of transferring Shuttle operations from NASA
to a new agency created for that purpose after it becomes operational is
being discussed.

Shuttle Launch Assessment:
-------------------------
       Launch performance was good, in particular:
       Main engine chamber pressures were within 1/10th of one percent
               of ideal values.
       SRB performance was normal, and modifications to Pad 39A
               (waterflood system) minimized shock wave effects to
               at most 20-25% of that experienced on STS-1
       Ascent loft was approximately 50% of the value on STS-1, reflecting
               a change in SRB nozzle gimbal profile designed to reduce
               ascent loft by 50% from STS-1.  The ascent loft on STS-1
               resulted in the loss of 1000lbs theoretical payload.
       APU #1 overheated and was shut down a few minutes early after
               main engine cutoff.  This was due to an improper setting
               of the APU heater element.
       Upon recovery of the vehicle at Edwards AFB, it was found only
               12 tiles were damaged, and NONE (zero, ie. 0) fell off.
       No determination has been made yet on the fuel cell problem
               which caused early termination of STS-2

APU Oil Problem Update:
----------------------
       The APU old problem would not have affected APU operation had
the Nov. 4th launch of Columbia proceeded another 31 seconds.  Independent
labs who analyzed the oil taked from all 3 APU's found white, black, and
gray particles, believed to be decomposition products of the Mobil Jet-2
lubricating oil in the system.  The decomposition occured when hydrazine
fuel leaked by a seal and into the oil near the gearbox linkage, decomposing
one of the four esthers in the oil.

Launch Radar Coverage Augmented:
-------------------------------
       Navy/Grumman E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft (not AWACS)
augmented radar coverage of the STS-2 launch.  The aircraft were used to:
       Cover restricted airspace 10 miles either side of launch trajectory.
       SRB tracking after seperation to splashdown and recover vehicle
               vectoring to site.
       Had ejection of the crew been necessary, E-2Cs would have directed
               recovery aircraft, and also aided in recovery of fragments
               of the Columbia.

Second Orbiter Work Advances:
----------------------------
       Work on the second orbiter, #099, Challenger, is advancing on schedule
at the Rockwell plant in Palmdale, California.  The spacecraft is now about
80% complete and incorporates several upgrapdes from Orbiter 102, Columbia:
       Weight reduction of ~2000lbs due to structural modifications
       Thermal protection system 'quilt' material on the Orbital Maneuvering
               System pods instead of tiles to save weight and time
       2 Head-Up display units to provide flightcrew with approach and
               landing information
       Strengthened mid-body and thrust structure area.
       Wiring and mounting provision for Global Positioning System (GPS)
               navigation equipment to use NAVSTAR positioning info.

       Orbiter 099, Challenger, is scheduled to fly mission 6
       Orbiter 103 will begin construction in the second bay of the
               Palmdale facility soon.
       Orbiter 101, Enterprise, was removed from Palmdale to Edwards
               Air Force Base recently, to clear room for 103.

       Aproximately two thirds of the 31000 TPS tiles to be installed at
Palmdale have been installed in a process characterized as 'smooth' in
contrast to the experience with Orbiter 102.

       Orbiter 103 will utilize further advanced materials to replace
some of its TPS tiles.  The new material is Fibrous Refractory Composite
Insulation, is a mixture of 78% silica fiber and 22% aluminum borosilicate
with at density of 12 lb/cubic ft, replacing the current LI-2200 silica
material tile with a density of 22 lb/cubic ft.  About 3000 tiles are
to be replaced this way, saving about 1200 lbs.  103 is scheduled to
be delivered in September 1983.  Replacements for the 9lb/cubic ft
white tiles are also being sought, mainly to improve durability.

Shuttle Lightweight Tank Production Begins
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       Production has started on the first of 4 lightweight external
tanks for the space shuttle.  The eight production external tank will
be the 1st lightweight model and is to be delivered in Fiscal 1983.
The schedule calls for 7 tanks Fiscal 1983, 11 in Fiscal 1984, 19 in
Fiscal 1985.  At this time production level of 24 tanks/year is set
to begin in last quarter 1985.  Planning is under way to increase this
to 55/year.  The target weight for the lightweight tank is 64000lb,
compared to 77000 lbs for the 1st flight tank.  The STS-2 tank was 200
lbs lighter than that.  The lightweight tank elmininated the pretty
white paint on the exterior of the tank.

       Production tanks cost 10.1 million each, up from 1.8 million
estimated five years ago.  Cost increases were due to:
       Addition of tumbling system to ensure the tank entered the
               atmosphere in an unstable configuration, so as to completely
               break up
       Addition of range safety tank detonator system.  Consists of
               two command antennas, two linear shaped charges, seven
               detonating fuses, a safe and arm device, and two detonators.
       Broadening of thermal protection requirements

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       Summary prepared by J.C.Pistritto, (duke!bmd70!jcp@brl)

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The Usenet Oldnews Archive: Compilation Copyright (C) 1981, 1996
Bruce Jones, Henry Spencer, David Wiseman.