Abmd70.175
net.columbia
utzoo!decvax!duke!bmd70!jcp
Mon Dec 7 18:20:08 1981
Aviation Week 11/30/81 - Space Science
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A V I A T I O N W E E K A N D S P A C E T E C H N O L O G Y
S P A C E S C I E N C E S U M M A R Y
November 30, 1981 Vol 155, #22
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Private Companies Study Shuttle Processing Flow
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8 private aerospace companies are studying the shuttle launch/
recovery/turnaround cycle over a four month period as preparation for
submitting bids to perform the processing work for NASA. The entire
processing operation will eventually be handled via a single private
contractor, rather than the 25 seperate subcontractors NASA now uses
for the work. Currently, 1200 Civil Service workers, plus 7200 contractor
employees are used for the processing. Cost reduction of up to 20% is
expected by shifting the work to private industry.
The Air Force is considering a similar arrangement for its
Vandenberg AFB launch site. Participants will observe the entire turn-
around cycle, and will submit proposals on Oct. 1, 1982. The winner
will begin a 6 month transition phase with NASA on July 1, 1983. This
will allow all 4 test flights, and up to 8 operational flights, under
NASA control. The eight companies are:
General Dynamics Corporation, Grumman, Lockheed, Martin Marietta,
Rockwell International, United Airlines, and United Technologies.
Booster Jettison System Failure Analyzed
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Analysis is proceeding to determine the cause of failure of the
solid rocket booster (SRB) nozzle extension jettison system to function on
STS-2. Both nozzle extensions remained attached until impact, although
jettison commands were received during the nominal time frame.
RCA Satcom 3R Launched Successfully
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Satcom 3R arrived on station in synchronous orbit at 132.W Longitude
after successful firing of the apogee kick motor Nov 22nd. 3R replaces Satcom
3, which was lost to tracking stations in December 1979, after firing of the
apogee kick motor. The satellite is used to distribute cable television
programming in the US.
GTE to Launch Satellite on Ariane
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GTE Satellite Corp announced plans to launch two domestic US
communications spacecraft on Ariane 3. Ariane is the European Space
Agency's launch vehicle, developed to serve the same market the American
Space Shuttle will serve when it is operational.
Administration Official Doubts Space Station Need
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Victor Reis, the Assistant Director for National Security in the
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, says he forsees no
need to establish a goal of manned performance in space or a space operations
center, as the next NASA project following the shuttle program.
Reis said we should, instead, exploit the capabilities of the shuttle
system. NASA management had been trying to increase Administration support
for large space projects. Reis was described as believing that large projects
will come about as a product of the commericial, defense and other uses of
the shuttle, and should not be established as goals now.
NASA Hopes to cut Shuttle Turnaround
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NASA is hoping to launch the 3rd space shuttle flight before the
currently projected March 19 launch date. Current projections say that
Columbia should spend 55 days in the Orbiter Processing Facility, 13 days
in the Vehicle Assembly Building, and 27 days on Pad 39A before launch.
Shuttle system maturity and less thermal protection system repair work
than required by STS-1 has increased confideence in the March 19 launch
date.
Soviet Launches
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The Soviet Union launched 3 spacecraft since mid-November
Cosmos 1319 - Reconnasisance spacecraft, launched Nov 13
into a 400x216km (249x134mi) orbit inclined 70.4 degrees.
Molniya 1 - Military communications spacecraft, launched
Nov 17 into a 39117x472km (24306x293mi) orbit inclined 62.8 deg.
Bhaskara 2 - The Indian built earth observation spacecraft
launched from Kapustin Yar Nov 20th, into a 557x514km (346x319mi)
orbit inclined 50.7 deg. Carries television and microwave radiometer
instruments.
Ferry Flight of Orbiter to Florida Accomplished
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Accelerated schedules have allowed the Columbia to be shipped back
to Florida within a day of original schedule, despite lost time in early
processing. Turnaround process during the second mission was characterized
as smoother than mission 1, with the shuttle arriving at Kennedy Space Center
at 1:19 EST Nov 25th, and was designate STS-3 upon arrival.
Tile experts continue probing the reason for missing tile outer
layers and bubbles, note encountered on STS-1. Some speculation holds that
this was caused by tile absorption of water prior to launch. About 400
tiles will be 'densified' before the STS-3 launch, to increase surface
adhesion.
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Summary prepared by J. C. Pistritto (ARPA address jcp@brl)
UUCP address duke!bmd70!jcp
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