STS-3: Science Rides the Shuttle
Abstract
The scientific experiments conducted during the third Space Shuttle flight are discussed. The Plasma Diagnostics Package was used to sense the presence of ions, electrons, and electric and magnetic fields near the Shuttle as it passed through the upper atmosphere. The Solar Ultraviolet Special Irradiance Monitor failed, but the Solar Flare X-ray Polarimeter experiment may determine whether high- energy outpourings during solar flares are polarized, a key to understanding how these X-rays are created. The Microabrasion Foil Experiment recorded the flux of micrometeorites and space dust impinging on the Shuttle, while the Shuttle-Spacelab Induced Atmosphere created an artificial atmosphere around the Shuttle allowing the effect of sunlight on it to be studied.
- Publication:
-
Sky and Telescope
- Pub Date:
- June 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982S&T....63..571B
- Keywords:
-
- Space Shuttle Orbiters;
- Space Shuttle Payloads;
- Space Transportation System 3 Flight;
- Spaceborne Experiments;
- Abrasion Resistance;
- Irradiance;
- Micrometeorites;
- Plasma Diagnostics;
- Polarimeters;
- Solar Activity Effects;
- Solar Flux Density;
- Solar X-Rays;
- SPACE TRANSPORTATION