TDRSS deployment involves complex operations
Abstract
The deployment during Space Shuttle Mission 6 of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRSS A), and its activation in geosynchronous orbit, will be a manual and more complex operation than the satellite deployments achieved during Mission 5. The separation of the relay spacecraft and its Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) from the Space Shuttle Orbiter will involve the pushing of this 36-ft long, 18.5-ton payload from its cargo bay cradle at only 0.4 fps. Communication with the IUS and TDRSS will be through the Orbiter's payload interrogator. Unlike the communications satellite checkout of Mission 5 little of the TDRSS/IUS activity is commanded by software and displayed on the Orbiter display screens. Astronaut Musgrave will do most of his operations verification work at a power control panel and communications interface unit panel in the aft cockpit.
- Publication:
-
Aviation Week Space Technology
- Pub Date:
- January 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983AvWST.118...88C
- Keywords:
-
- Nasa Programs;
- Space Shuttle Mission 31-B;
- Space Shuttle Payloads;
- Tdr Satellites;
- Consecutive Events;
- Deployment;
- Inertial Upper Stage;
- Mission Planning;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles