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Space Shuttle: Atlantis
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Weight: 256,031 pounds
Launched: July 31, 1992, 9:56:48 a.m. EDT
Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Landing: August 8, 1992, 9:11:51 a.m. EDT
Landing Weight: 208,806 pounds
Runway: 33
Rollout Distance: 10,860 feet
Rollout Time: 66 seconds
Revolution: 127
Mission Duration: 7 days, 23 hours, 15 minutes, 3 seconds
Orbit Altitude: 230 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 28.45 degrees
Miles Traveled: 3.3 million
Crew Members
Image above: STS-46 Crew photo with Commander Loren J. Shriver, Pilot Andrew M. Allen, Mission Specialists Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, Claude Nicollier, Marsha S. Ivins and Payload Specialist Franco Malerba. Image Credit: NASA
Mission Highlights
The primary objective was deployment of the European Space Agency's European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA) and operation of the joint NASA/Italian Space Agency Tethered Satellite System (TSS). The mission was extended one day to complete the science objectives. EURECA deployed one day later than scheduled because of problem with its data handling system. After deployment, the spacecraft's thrusters were fired to boost EURECA to its planned operating altitude of about 310 statute miles (499 kilometers). However, the thruster firing was cut to six minutes instead of the planned 24 minutes because of unexpected attitude data from EURECA. The problem resolved and EURECA was boosted to operational orbit on the sixth day of the mission. The payload was to be retrieved on STS-57 in 1993.TSS deployment was also delayed one day because of EURECA. During TSS deployment, the satellite reached a maximum distance of only 840 feet (256 meters) from orbiter instead of planned 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) because of a jammed tether line. After numerous attempts over several days to free the tether, TSS operations were curtailed and satellite was stowed for return to Earth.
Secondary payloads were: Evaluation of Oxygen Integration with Materials/Thermal Management Processes (EOIM-III/TEMP 2A-3); Consortium for Materials Development in Space Complex Autonomous Payload (CONCAP II and CONCAP III); IMAX Cargo Bay Camera (ICBC); Limited Duration Space Environment Candidate Materials Exposure (LDCE); Air Force Maui Optical Site (AMOS); Pituitary Growth Hormone Cell Function (PHCF); and Ultraviolet Plume Instrument (UVPI).
The STS-46 crew portrait includes 7 crew members. Seated in front (left to right) are Andrew M. Allen, pilot; and Loren J. Shriver, commander. Standing (left to right) are Marsha S. Ivins, mission specialist 4; Claude Nicollier, mission specialist 3; Jeffrey A. Hoffman, mission specialist 1; Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, mission specialist 2; and Franco Malerba, payload specialist 1. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on July 31, 1992 at 9:56:48 am (EDT), the mission's primary objectives included the deployment of the European Space Agency's European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA) and operation of the joint NASA/Italian Space Agency Tethered Satellite System (TSS).
The European Retrievable Carrier 1L (EURECA-1L) spacecraft, with solar array panels extended, drifts in space after deployment from the payload bay of Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, during STS-46. Earth limbs (002-005). The moon appears in each image.
This Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (STS-46) onboard photo is a close-up view of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS-1) in orbit above the Shuttle. A cooperative development effort by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and NASA, the Tethered Satellite System (TSS) made capable the deployment and retrieval of a satellite which is attached by a wire tether from distances up to 100 km from the Orbiter. These free-flying satellites are used as observation platforms outside of the Orbiter.
EURECA deployment during STS-46. STS-46 European Retrievable Carrier 1L (EURECA-1L) satellite with solar arrays extended, is grappled by the remote manipulator system (RMS) end effector and is positioned above the payload bay (PLB) of Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104 during pre-deployment activities. In the foreground the IMAX Cargo Bay Camera (ICBC) mounted on Small Payloads Accomodations (SPA) getaway special (GAS) beam interface appears on the starboard wall and the stowed Tethered Satellite System 1 (TSS-1) satellite mounted in the satellite support assembly (SSA) on the unpressurized spacelab (SL) pallet (center). The scene is backdropped by the Earth's limb. A 16mm lens gives this 35mm frame a "fish-eye" effect.
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Frams von STS-46 Atlantis Mission NASA-Video:
Quelle: NASA