European Use of Space Shuttle

The Space Congress® Proceedings 1982 (19th) Making Space Work For Mankind

Apr 1st, 8:00 AM

D. Genthe Deutsche Forschungs- und, Versuchsanstalt fur Luftund, Raumfahrt e.V. (DFVLR)

C. Buongiorno University of Rome

Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.erau.edu/space-congress-proceedings

Scholarly Commons Citation Shapland, D. J.; Genthe, D.; and Buongiorno, C., "European Use of Space Shuttle" (1982). The Space Congress® Proceedings. 2. https://commons.erau.edu/space-congress-proceedings/proceedings-1982-19th/session-3/2

This Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences at Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Space Congress® Proceedings by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EUROPEAN USE OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE

D. Genthe D.J. Shapland Deutsche Forschungs- und C. Buongiorno European Space Agency Versuchsanstalt fur Luft- University of Rome Paris, France und Raumfahrt e.V. (DFVLR) Rome, Italy Porz-Wahn, Germany

ABSTRACT with an opportunity to become involved in manned spaceflight. Europe's association with the Space Shuttle started in 1973 when the Having developed such a sophisticated European Space Agency (ESA) signed a system as Spacelab the next natural Memorandum of Understanding with NASA step is to use it. ESA has conducted for the development in Europe with numerous studies on Spacelab utilisation European funds of Spacelab. In and intends to use the unique environment addition, it was agreed that ESA would provided by Spacelab to advance its provide approximately one half of the investigations in science, applications first Spacelab payload which will be and technology. This use of Spacelab carried on the SL-1 mission in will start with the first flight in September 1983. Further usage of late 1983 with a 50% contribution to Spacelab is foreseen either in missions the joint ESA-NASA SL-1 payload and con dedicated to European countries or in tinue, hopefully,through this decade.The missions shared with NASA. Also, it ground-work and experience provided by is anticipated that European space Spacelab in manned systems technology projects will make use of the launch has led ESA to consider contributing and recovery capability of the Space to the next step in orbital systems Shuttle when these services are con development and a desire exists in sidered to be cost attractive. Europe to be part of the next evolu Finally, augmentation of the Shuttle's tionary step. capabilities is another likely area of participation through the provision Of course, the Space Shuttle will carry of a European-built upper stage. other payloads than Spacelab - satellites, upper stages and so on - and again any This paper summarises these activities advantages provided by the Shuttle as both from an ESA-NASA point of view and a launch vehicle will be an important from the outlook of bilateral (i.e. consideration in Europe's evolving NASA-ESA Member State) co-operation. space programme. Thus, Europe's use of the Space Shuttle is foreseen as taking INTRODUCTION advantage of those features - reusability, recoverability and high carrying European involvement in the advanced capability - that can enhance its future Space Transportation System (STS) space endeavours. commenced in the early 1970s. In response to an invitation from NASA to This paper provides a summary of poten partake in the programme and after tial uses of the Space Shuttle by studying a number of options, ESA Europeans and covers the many aspects chose the orbital laboratory, now of involvement. It should not, however, called Spacelab, as its contribution be taken as a plan and no commitment to to the STS. The flight hardware of any of the ventures quoted is intended. this system has now been delivered to NASA. Its development provided ESA ESA AND ITS MEMBER STATES and European industry with an oppor tunity to join in an advanced tech In order to fully understand the nology programme and furnished Europe European approach to space it is necessary

3-18 to know the relationships that exist orientation. between the European Space Agency, -ESA, and its Member States. The latter are Spacelab consists of a pressurised shown in Figure 1 and are: Belgium (B), module - the laboratory within which Denmark (DK), France (F), Netherlands man-tended experiments may be per (NL), Italy (I), Switzerland (CH), formed - and a pallet - the observatory Spain (E), United Kingdom (GB), for carrying instruments for direct Ireland (IRL), Germany (D) and Sweden exposure to space. The latter may be (S) . In addition, Austria (A) ,and Norway operated from the Crbiter, the module (N), are Associate Members and Canada or from the Payload Operations Control (CND) is closely associated with some Center (POCC) on the ground. The of the Agency's programmes. Each Spacelab module is composed of two Member State provides for ESA ! s budget identical cylindrical shells (2.7m and may partake, according to its in length) enclosed by two end cones financial contribution to Agency pro whereas the pallet comprises up to five grammes approved by the Council. This segments, each approximately 3 m in ensures that the smaller States get a length. Spacelab may be flown in the chance to take part in large, high module-only, module + pallet or pallet- technology programmes which they could only configurations. It provides sub not afford on their own. systems to ensure basic experiment support supplied through standard In addition, however, each Member State interfaces including physical accommo may wish to pursue a National Space dation, power, thermal control and data programme of its own and this is parti management. cularly true of the larger Member States - Germany, France, United Kingdom An Engineering Model and Flight Unit and Italy. Co-operation with other have already been delivered to KSC space bodies is encouraged so that (Figure 2) and integration and test international co-operation is possible procedures are currently proceeding. at the level of ESA itself, bilaterally In fact, Spacelab programme hardware or among any number of motivated has already flown on the Shuttle, countries or Agencies. In fact, co since Engineering Model pallets were operative support of a Member State used to carry both the OSTA-1 and national programme by ESA is also OSS-1 payloads into orbit (Figure 3). possible. The First Spacelab Payload (FSLP) In the following descriptions, many of these co-operative ventures may be The ESA-NASA Memorandum of Understand discerned. In this context one might ing concerning the Spacelab programme cite the following joint actions: ESA- states that "the co-operative use of Germany on the Spacelab D-l mission, the first Spacelab Unit will be ESA-NASA on the Spacelab SL-1 mission encouraged throughout its useful life and NASA-Italy on the IRIS project. although not to the exclusion of cost reimbursable use" . This co-operative USE OF SPACE SHUTTLE AND SPACELAB use will start with the first Spacelab flight, which will utilise the long Spacelab module + one pallet configuration, following the joint planning of The Spacelab programme is a co objectives and of the mission itself. operative ESA-NASA venture. ESAM funds The NASA and ESA complements of the the design and development of Spacelab SL-1 payload will share the resources whereas NASA is responsible for its available. launch and operational use. Spacelab is, in fact, a basic element of the All ESA Member States (with the Space Transportation System. It is modular in construction, so that its exception of Ireland and Sweden) configuration may be adjusted to best and Austria contribute to the meet the mission requirements and is Fpacelab programme. reusable. It is an integral part of Note, any subsequent Spacelabs the Orbiter in that it is carried to desired by NASA will be purchased and from low-Earth orbit in the cargo in Furope; a second Spacelab unit bay and remains there throughout the is Dresently on order. mission. Exposure to the environment is obtained through opening the cargo bay doors and the desired view angle is provided by the Orbiter vehicle 3-19 Following an Announcement of Opportunity Chamber, Material Science Double in Europe some 60 experiments were Rack and Navigation Experiments (NAVEX) chosen to represent the disciplines of Experimenters originate mainly from Atmospheric Physics and Earth Obser Germany but many other European vations, Space Plasma Physics, Material countries are represented. Sciences, Astronomy and Solar Physics and Life Sciences. Some 35 of these The Spacelab configuration chosen is experiments are in the field of Material the long module plus a simple support Sciences and 32 of which are accommo structure and launch is scheduled for dated in the Material Sciences Double mid-1985. The orbit altitude is Rack facility (Figure 4) which, for 295 km. and an inclination of 57 deg. example, permits investigations in is planned. A German mission manager solidification of alloys, crystal will be responsible for the payload growth, thermodiffusion and hydro and its integration, and exueriment dynamics. Investigators from all ESA control will be executed from the Member States, with the exception of German Space Operations Centre at Ireland, and Austria, are represented Oberpf af fenhofen. The flight crew in the FSLP and a European Payload will include three Europeans. Specialist will be on-board during the flight. The experiment equipment weighs Spacelab Facilities 1392 kg. All this equipment, together with the necessary support equipment The reusability of Spacelab and its and software are now ready and all the equipment gives rise to an attractive FSLP experiments have been tested and feature for experimenters, that is the integrated into a payload. Figure 5 use of facilities by experimenters shows those FSLP experiments to be who need only supply "behind the flown on a bridge which will be mounted focus" type equipment. In this way on the pallet. In addition,some experi "small" experiment groups will have ments will be accommodated in the module.Promi access to powerful (and often nent is the 2 m antenna of the Micro expensive) specialised equipment. wave Remote Sensing experiment which The latter are called Spacelab will provide ocean and surface data for facilities and may be supplied by nearly 50 research groups throughout international or national groups for the world. the use of experimenters anywhere. The following are some typical facili The delivery date for FSLP at the ties to be provided by Europe. Kennedy Space Center is 24 May 1982, for a launch in September 1983 into a Sled. This facility has been 57 deg, 250 km orbit. .The interim developed by ESA and one flight unit period will see the combination of FSLP and one training model are available. with the NASA complement and the The Space Sled permits a human test assembly and check-out of the total subject to undergo a pre-programmed SL-1 payload. During the 7-day mission, acceleration in the weightless envi European Investigators will work in the ronment of Spacelab. Various physical sti Payload Operations Control Center at muli may be applied and the subjects physiolo Johnson Space Center, playing their gical reactions can be recorded. In FSLP role in the SL-1 mission which promises this is effected by a specially de rich rewards for science and will demon signed, DFVLR-supplied helmet.Such strate the capabilities of Spacelab in measurements, supplemented by indi many and varied science and applications cations of perceptual thresholds and fields. illusions, can provide important data for vestibular research and mav help , German D-l Mission considerably in the study of space motion sickness.^ The Sled consists This German national mission is the of a seat which can move on a rail subject of a paper presented at this mounted on the floor of the module. Congress (Ref.l) and will not be descri Control of the Sled is accomplished by ? bed in detail. It represents a bilateral crew member who operates the electro co-operative activity between Germany nics unit contained in a standard and NASA but ESA, on behalf of its Spacelab rack at the aft-end of the Member States, will also make a signi module. The Sled facility is illustra ficant contribution by supplying the ted in Figure 6 . Space Sled, Biorack and an advanced version of the Fluid Physics Module to Biorack . The Biorack is currently the D-l payload. German contributions under development by ESA and will fly include a Materials Laboratory, Process for the first time on the German D-l 3-20 mission. It composes a freezer (-15 C), tower and amplifier) and partly in a a cooler (4°C),two incubators(range .18 to module rack (frequency generator, pro 30°C and 30 to 40°C), a glove box,together cessor, etc.) It is a radar facility with accessories such as a microscope and operating in the X-band (9.65 giga 1 g centrifuges. All these items are hertz) and was also developed by the housed in a single Spacelab rack and pro German DFVLR. The instrument will vided with the necessary power,specimen provide all-weather sensing capability containers and thermal control. Biorack and can be operated as a two frequency will be available for studies in cell and scatterometer, a synthetic aperture development biology,radiobiology and radar or a passive microwave radio plant biology,when specimens are exposed meter. Data generated during SL-1 to the space environment of Spacelab. Up will be widely diffused. to about 10 experiments per flight can be visualized. Fluid Physics Module. An Italian Material Science Double Rack (MSDR). contribution to the STS programme is This facility (see Figure 4) was the development of a Spacelab facility developed by Germany and incorporates to investigate under microgravity sub-facilities provided by France and conditions the effects on fluid rods Italy. It composes isothermal, gradient when stimulated with heat, rotation and mirror furnaces and a fluid physics and vibration. This facility is named module. Materials contained in cartr the Fluid Physics Module (FPM). idges may, therefore, be exposed to adjustable thermal profiles with temper A general layout of the facility, which atures up to 1600°C. The rack currently will be flown in the first Spacelab incorporates an ultra-high vacuum mission, is presented in Figure 7. chamber (to study adhesion forces), The system has been developed by the capillarity measurement equipment (to Centre Ricerche FIAT. Six experiment measure liquid surface effects) and a ers will use the FPM on the first cryostat (to explore protein crystal Spacelab mission. The major character growth). Power, vacuum, and gas systems istics of the FPM are given in Table 1. are provided and the various constituents are controlled and monitored by means of Cryostat. This facility is under a central console. These facilities may development by ESA. It provides a be used by experimenters to study metals, thermal environment of less than 2°K composite materials, crystals and for low noise detectors such as those transport phenomena. The MSDR will fly used in infrared astronomy. It also for the first time on SL-1 with experi has applications in the study of ments from Germany, France, Italy, fluid physics phenomena at very low- United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, temperatures. The cryostat is being Spain, Sweden and Denmark. A repeat designed to accept an average heat flight is scheduled for the D-l mission. load of 40 mW while keeping the low temperature for about 30 days. The Metric Camera. The metric camera uses a cryostat, which uses superfluid Zeiss RMK A30/23 camera with its own helium, can accept experiments of up microprocessor for experiment- control, to 15 kg with dimensions of 20 cm filters and film magazines. It is (dia.) and 55 cm in length. Two mounted on the optical window and film engineering models of the cryostat magazines are changed by the Payload have been built and mechanically and Specialists. High resolution imagery thermally tested. (ground resolution better than 20 m) on 24 cm wide, aerial film can be GIRL. The German Infrared Laboratory obtained for compiling topographic maps (GIRL) is presently under development. in inaccessible regions and updating The main elements of GIRL (Figure 8) those for more developed regions of the are a telescope and four focal plane Earth. Pictures taken throughout the instruments installed in a cryostat world during SL-1 will be widely distri containing 300 litres of superfluid buted to experimenter groups in the helium. The project has as its developing world. This facility has scientific objective the implementation been developed by DFVLR of Germany and of astronomical and aeronomical obser developments, including an instrument vations in the wave range 2-300^M . for pallet operation, are foreseen. To this purpose, GIRL is mounted on the Instrument Pointing System (IPS) Microwave Remote Sensing. This instru and is aligned according to the ment consisting of 2 m x 1 m antenna measuring instruments f requirements. with associated electronics is housed partly on the pallet (antenna, support IPS and GIRL are accommodated on 2.5 3-21 pallets in the Space Shuttle cargo bay. experiments and observations 100 km GIRL is a payload element of the downward or 100 km upward with originally planned German D-4 mission respect to the Orbiterfe nominal 120 n.m which is scheduled for launch in circular orbit. March 1987. A large number of experiments can be In addition to the above, Germany is carried out by employing the TSS. developing a Process Chamber and a These concern electrodynamic and Material Science Double Ra.ck for plasma investigations including such Experiment Modules and Facilities (MEDEA) observations as magnetospheric for use on the D-l mission. The Process potential difference, ionospheric Chamber will provide optical facilities conductivity and structure, plasma- for the study of transport phenomena and body interaction studies and plasma other physical and chemical fundamental wave generation and propagation. effects under reduced gravity. MEDEA is a multi-purpose facility providing GRIST thermal environments for the study of composites and crystals (see Ref. 1). Another possible ESA Shuttle-Spacelab payload which might result from an The Tethered Satellite System. (TSS) ESA-NASA co-operative programme is GRIST (Grazing Incidence Solar This Italian-NASA collaborative pro Telescope) which would be flown gramme is worthy of particular mention simultaneously with NASA's SOT because of its scientific importance and (Solar Optical Telescope). These the technical ingenuity applied to its telescopes would use Spacelab execution. elements, particularly the pallet for mounting the module,for control The TSS mission involves the deployment electronics and the IPS for pointing. and the retrieval from the Orbiter of This mission is currently under study. a 100 km kevlar tether wire, which carries at its end a spacecraft Payload Integration (Figure 9), called the subsatellite, equipped with many scientific and appli ESA has set up a special group for cation experiments. The tether deploy the integration of Spacelab experi ment and retrieval can be accomplished ments into payloads. This group - either by a passive mode or an active SPICE, for Spacelab Payload mode. The passive mode is accomplished Integration and Co-ordination in by controlling laws employing the Europe - is situated at Porz-Wahn near tether tension control system of the Cologne in Germany. This small deployer mechanism and the Orbiter f s management team performs payload QMS and RCS systems. The active mode accommodation, system analyses, is performed by thrustersmounted on supports the payload by providing board the subsatellite and acting special software and hardware and along the tether line* manages the physical integration of the experiments and their associated A NASA concept study for the deployer, software. The testing and check-out considers a system consisting of the of experiments and ensuring compliance tether drum, the reeling and tension with safety and mission requirements control mechanism, an extendable deploy is another important function. SPICE ment and retrieval boom and of the also provides support of ground oper power supply, avionics and heat control ations in the US, launch, flight to be mounted on a Spacelab pallet. operations and post-mission activities. In the Orbiter, the satellite is housed in a cradle mounted on top of the The many interfaces involved in getting extendable boom. an experiment on-board Spacelab (e.g. experimenters, industry) and the The TSS development is carried out at vital links with NASA are maintained the present time through a letter by SPICE. The group also supervises of Agreement between NASA and CNR/PSN . the European crew training activities NASA will study and develop the and assists in the generation of retrieval mechanism and CNR/PSN will flight time lines and familiarisation develop the subsatellite and perform and training of the experimenters the experiments integration. with POCC activities. The TSS will enhance the STS capability Consiglio Natzionale Ricerche/ because it will make possible Piano Spaziale Natzionale. 3»22 ESA Flight Crew In cases where a particular organisa - Equipment developed for the European tion or country provides at least 50% rocket programme TEXUS . of a Spacelab payload, that organisat ion or country may also provide a The first two elements have already Payload Specialist. To cover such been developed whereas the remainder cases, ESA f in 1977, selected three will be produced within the Micro- Payload Specialists from over 2000 gravity Research Programme. applicants in Europe. Apart from satisfying the agreed NASA medical Presently, flight opportunities of standards (Class III) these Payload about once per year are foreseen (the Specialists who originate from funding amounts to about 10M$ per year) Switzerland, the Netherlands and but the demand may grow if initial Germany,respectively, possess high results are considered to be of great scientific and engineering capabilities. significance. Spacelab presents the first opportunities for prolonged Two of the originally selected Payload experimentation under microgravity Specialists are now under training for conditions and the European material the first Spacelab flight while the and life sciences communities are third is undergoing Mission Specialist eager to take advantage of these training at Johnson Space Center. opportunites through ESA f s Microgravity These three astronauts are ESA staff Research Programme . members and, if possible, it is intended to use them on future ESA or In addition, it should be mentioned ESA Member State missions. Immediate that some European countries, e.g. France targets are the SL-1 and D-l missions. with its Mephisto alloy solidification experiment for MEA, will also parti Through this policy, it is expected cipate on a bi-lateral basis in NASA that Europe will have available an microgravity projects. international flight crew. Further, it will ensure a European presence in Spacelab-2 and -4 future manned space flight and provide European scientists and technologists Although strictly a NASA mission, the with trained experiment operators of second flight of Spacelab in the form proven experience. of three pallets plus an igloo will see the Space Shuttle carrying two Microgravity Programme European experiments into space. These experiments originate from the United ESA has just embarked on a Microgravity Kingdom and represent a significant Research Programme to promote the portion of the payload. They are: conduct of material and life sciences in ESA Member States. The programme e Coronal Helium Abundance Experiment; will involve the performance of • Soft X-ray Imaging Telescope. experiments in the space environment to gain an understanding of the part These experiments were chosen by NASA which gravity plays at all levels of for SL-2 as the result of an life. As part of this programme it is Announcement of Opportunity and are intended to fly at least partial pay- typical of the collaborative projects loads on Spacelab and sounding rockets. an ESA Member State may have with NASA Many single experimenters and experi quite independent of ESA. The choice menter groups in Europe will, there is illustrative of the considerable fore, be given flight opportunities experience and experimental talent that using tried equipment through reuse exists in the United Kingdom astronomy of the appropriate facilities. The community. The flight is scheduled for following elements will be used: November 1984. - Material Science Double Rack or its Additionally, an experiment originating component facilities; from the United Kingdom entitled "Post - Space Sled; Illumination Onset of Plant Mutation at Zero Gravity" has been selected as - Updated Fluid Physics Module (an part of the payload for SL-4. This improved version of that to be mission is devoted to Life Sciences, flown on SL-1); and the launch is set for October 1985. - Biorack;

J-23 USE OF SPACE SHUTTLE AS A LAUNCH ting) for their spatial structures, VEHICLE changes in time, and spectral charac teristics ; and the improvement of the The large lifting and volume capabi spatial resolution by one order of lity of the Space Shuttle means that magnitude by means of a NASA high- it is an attractive means of putting resolution imaaer also onboard. payloads into orbit - if the cost and A British mint-telescope also included orbital conditions are considered in the mission extends the wavelength favorable to a particular project. Of region as far as the short-wave UV. course, Europe has its own la'unch The x-ray satellite is planned for vehicle - Ariane - so that each pro launch with the NASA Space Shuttle in ject must be examined on a case-by- 1987. case basis. For ESA-NASA collaborative ventures , which play a large part in Other projects under consideration in ESA f s scientific programme, the Space clude the x-ray satellite SAX (an Shuttle is a particularly attractive Italian-Netherlands-US project), prospect. an x-ray Telescope-Spectrometer System (SAPOS) for a cooperative United King Two important programmes that are dom/US mission and an atmospheric being conducted on a cooperative basis research satellite which could be a with NASA are the International Solar cooperative programme between the Polar Mission (ISPM) and the Space Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Telescope. ESA's satellite (Figure 10) the U.S. for the ISPM programme will be laun ched by the Space Shuttle and an upper The Get Away Special (GAS) programme stage. It will be launched in May holds many attractions for Europe and 1986 and swing-by the planet Jupiter, it is expected that many countries after which it will make measurements will use. this relatively inexpensive of the interplanetary medium well cut- launch mode to put passive packages side the thin disc near the ecliptic in orbit with the Orbiter. Countries plane - truly the first out-of-the- known to intend using GAS opportuni ecliptic probe. The spacecraft will ties include Germany, France, United later fly over the pole of the Sun to Kingdom, Switzerland and Sweden. examine its structure and atmosphere, Of particular interest in this context followed by a recrossing of the are the German MAUS experiments. ecliptic plane and a traverse of the This programme, which uses the GAS opposite hemisphere of the Sun. together with other Shuttle mission opportunities, provides for low-cost, ESA has a 15% share of the Space autonomous experimentation in material Telescope 'js observing time in return sciences. Some 12 different flight for an equivalent contribution by ESA missions have been booked with NASA to the development and operational so far, the launch dates extending phases. This contribution consists of over the period 1982-1989 with a provision of the Faint Object Camera mission frequency of two MAUS modules and associated Photon Detector Assem per six months. bly, manufacture of the solar arrays and deployment mechanisms and support A further means of performing near- of the Space Telescope Science Institute. autonomous experiments is to use the The Space Telescope will be launched accommodation offered by the LDEF by the Space Shuttle in 1985 and re (Long Duration Exposure Facility), visits are planned for maintenance which is launched and retrieved by the and repair. Retrieval and relaunch Space Shuttle. European countries after refurbishment are also foreseen. have shown considerable interest in this facility and the United Kingdom Missions contemplated by European coun already has two experiments on the tries independent of ESA include the December 1983 launch of LDEF. German project ROSAT. Its main mission objectives are : First complete USE OF SPACE SHUTTLE AS A FIRST STAGE scanning of the sky with an x-ray tele LAUNCH VEHICLE scope in the wavelength region of 6-100 fi and a localization accuracy of Many activities of the Italian Natio the x-ray sources which is better than nal Space effort are oriented toward one arc minute ; the detailed obser the use of the NASA Space Shuttle. vation of selected x-ray sources (poin

3-24 In particular , this includes a develop sponsible contractor for the overall ment in Italy of a complete launching system, while the PM is developed by system from the Space Shuttle based BPD-Difesa e Spazio of SNIA company. on some technologies already acquired in the country and by which it is THE FUTURE hoped to permit Italian Industries to come to grips with basic problems re Through its involvement with Spacelab, lated to Shuttle interfaces, Shuttle Europe has entered the manned space operations and Shuttle safety. The era and has demonstrated a capability programme foresees the study, design for developing and producing high and development of an "upper stage" quality hardware. The future is not to be employed in conjunction with the easy to predict at this stage, but STS : the Interim Research Italian the general attitude of ESA Member Stage (IRIS) . IRIS is a spin stabi- States is that the considerable know lysed solid propellant upper stage ledge and experience gained through which has the capability of putting a the Spacelab programme should be used 600 Kg spacecraft on geosynchronous in contributing to future manned space transfer orbit (GTO) ; this capability activities. Naturally, space plat will be extended eventually to 900 Kg forms and manned orbital laboratories class spacecraft. The System consists are possible areas of exploitation by of the Propulsion Module (PM) and of Europe and cooperative efforts with the Airborne Support Equipment (ASE) . NASA in these fields appear to be The PM is expendable, while the ASE attractive. All these activities is recoverable (see Figure 11). would lead to further use of the Space The PM is a solid propellant motor of Shuttle. Isp = 296 sec. loaded"with 900 Kg of propellant with a kevlar casing, and The future possibilities being examined carbon/carbon nozzle. Moreover, the PM by ESA include extension of the Space- is equipped with sequencer, telemetry lab module capabilities and the devel spacecraft separation system,command opment of a free flyer based on the receiver and nutation damping system. pallet or pallet-like concept. The The ASE, which occupies 1/8 length of latter has proved particularly attrac the Shuttle bay, contains the main cra tive and is now referred to as the dle, attached to the Shuttle longerons Retrievable Carrier. This concept and keel, the spin table, the PM se which is dealt with elsewhere in this paration system and all related avio Congress (Ref.2), would be launched by nics interfacing with the Shuttle the Shuttle and recovered by the Or- avionics. The launching procedures are biter on another flight some months kept completely similar to those em later. This vehicle holds considerable ployed for the NASA SSUS (PAM-D) . attraction for scientists in many dis The IRIS system can perform various ciplines, but early flights will em types of missions besides the achieve phasise experiments in Material and ment of a GTO from Shuttle circular Life Sciences. Later applications to orbit. As an example it can be em a space platform can be foreseen with ployed for orbital plane changes or to the retrievable carrier carried to attain high elliptic orbits for scien orbit by the Shuttle Orbiter,docked tific satellites. Examples of candi to the platform, and returned to Earth date missions for the IRIS are the by the Orbiter at some later date. x-ray Italian Scientific Satellite, and Figure 12 gives an artist 1 s impression a possible follow-on mission of NASA/UK/ of one possible concept of the retrie Germany AMPTE. (Active Magnetic vable carrier based on a Spacelab half- Particle Tracer Explorer), Moreover pallet. the possible application of the IRIS/ PM as an ARIANE upper stage is being CONCLUSIONS studied. The IRIS programme has com pleted phase B and a further phase (Bl) is planned. A memorandum of understan European interest in the Space Shuttle ding with NASA has been signed for a is evidenced by the many and varied launch in late 1985. The program is uses foreseen for it. The Spacelab managed by CNR/PSN and it is developed programme is an example of actual in in close contact with NASA HQ and NASA/ volvement in the STS programme by the JSC. The PSN also uses for this pro provision of constituent hardware gram the consulting services from ESA/ Some of the applications cited, illus ESTEC. The Aeritalia firm is the re trate how Spacelab might be used. In particular, its use as an international

3-25 laboratory is encouraged and many useful facilities are being developed in Europe which might be used more universally. Further hardware contri butions might be forthcoming as in the case of IRIS or perhaps the Retrie vable Carrier. Europe also has plans for bi-lateral and multi-national use of the Space Shuttle as a launcher of experiments and satellites. Its use in this field will be very dependent on its cost attractiveness to the potential user . Whatever the means eventually chosen for future space exploration, Europe has the desire and demonstrated capabilities for playing an important role. The Space Shuttle is a key feature in these considerations .

REFERENCES

1- " The German D 1 Mission " G. Greger, 19th Space Congress, Cocoa Beach, Fla., April 1982 2. " Future Plans for Spacelab and Retrievable Carrier " R.L. Mory, 19th Space Congress, Cocoa Beach, Fla., April 1982.

3-26 mm

DIAMETER

(SEPARATE

END

TOTAL

SIDE

MAX.

rpm

AMPLITUDE

CINE-CAMERA

O.I

mm END.PLATE)

OPPOSITE

PLATE

100

0.5

END

MODULE

INJECTION

0.1

ENVISAGED

ONE

WITH

(INJECTION

100

LENGTH

0.25

POSSIBLE)

PHYSICS

rpm

/sec

MAX

AND

SPEPS

Hz,

60°C

VOC TRACERS

DEGREES

SYSTEM

10O

6cm

LITRES

AND

FLUID

100

130

40 40,

1.3

OPERATION 0.01

0.5 PRESET

0.1-2 UP TO

DUAL

SOLID

WITHIN

FLOW

PLATES

END

SPEED

INNER

CHARACTERISTICS

PARALLEL

RECORDING

POTENTIAL

DIAMETERS

SPEED

AXIS

CAPABILITIES

INJECTION

TABLE

VOLUME(ZONE)

CAPACITY

PLATE

TEST

END

ROTATION ROTATION

TANK LIQUID

OSCILLATIONS

LATERAL OFFSET

PHOTOGRAPHIC

ELECTRICAL HEAT-UP

VISUALISATION

GO rb laboratory is encouraged and many useful facilities are being developed in Europe which might be used more universally. Further hardware contri butions might be forthcoming as in the case of IRIS or perhaps the Retrie vable Carrier. Europe also has plans for bi-lateral and multi-national use of the Space Shuttle as a launcher of experiments and satellites. Its use in this field will be very dependent on its cost attractiveness to the potential user. Whatever the means eventually chosen for future space exploration, Europe has the desire and demonstrated capabilities for playing an important role. The Space Shuttle is a key feature in these considerations .

REFERENCES

1- " The German D 1 Mission " G. Greger, 19th Space Congress, Cocoa Beach, Fla., April 1982

2. " Future Plans for Spacelab and Retrievable Carrier " R.L. Mory, 19th Space Congress, Cocoa Beach, Fla. f April 1982.

3-26 mm

DIAMETER

(SEPARATE

END

TOTAL

SIDE

rpm MAX.

AMPLITUDE

CINE-CAMERA

O.I

mm END.PLATE)

OPPOSITE

PLATE

100

0.5

END

MODULE

INJECTION

0.1

ENVISAGED

ONE

WITH

(INJECTION

100

LENGTH

0.25

POSSIBLE) mm

PHYSICS

rpm

/sec

MAX

AND

SPEPS

Hz,

60°C

VOC TRACERS

DEGREES

SYSTEM

100 60

6cm

LITRES

AND

FLUID

100

130

5 40,

1.3

0.01 OPERATION

PRESET 0.5

0.1-2

DUAL

SOLID

WITHIN

FLOW

PLATES

END

SPEED

INNER

CHARACTERISTICS

PARALLEL

RECORDING

POTENTIAL

DIAMETERS

SPEED

AXIS

CAPABILITIES

INJECTION

TABLE

VOLUME(ZONE)

CAPACITY

PLATE

TEST

END

ROTATION

TANK LIQUID

OSCILLATIONS

LATERAL OFFSET PHOTOGRAPHIC

ELECTRICAL HEAT-UP

VISUALISATION

Spacelab Spacelab

Kieeion

Programme9 Programme9

iational

-J -J

DFVLR DFVLR

other other

Space Space

Countries

non-Member non-Member

with with

Co-operation Co-operation

other other

Helioe

DrVLR/HASA DrVLR/HASA

Countriee Countriee

Co-operation

e.g. e.g.

Space Space

ACTIVITIES

agency

European European

Programmes

Contracts Contracts

Programmes Programmes

tpace tpace

Technology

SPACE SPACE

trial trial

projects

Optional Optional

Mandatory Mandatory

Indite Indite

Advanced Advanced

- -

International International

•uropean •uropean

USSR/

tt tt

on on

Science Science

EUROPEAN EUROPEAN

Conntrie

SALJVT

Life Life

other other

o—opera

Programme

tern

Teleecope, Teleecope,

MASA

Experiments Experiments

with with

Sys Sys

Transportation Transportation

Space Space

vith vith

CUSS-SPOT

Spaoe

tational

Programme* Programme*

**ff. **ff.

Space Space Co-operative Co-operative Fig. 2 Spacelab hardware in the high-bay area of the Operations & Checkout Building, Kennedy Space Center.

3-29 Fig. 3 OSTA-1 payload and Spacelab engineering module being integrated into the Orbiter cargo bay.

3-30 Fig. 4 Material sciences double rack facility for FSLP.

3-31 Fig. 5 FSLP experiments integrated into payload—on the European bridge assembly.

3-32 Fig. 6 Space sled facility with subject wearing helmet.

3-33 (MANUAL)

LATERAL DISPLACEMENT

MODULE

PHYSICS

FLUID

COLUMN

DISCS

DISPLACEMENT

FLUID

END

HEATER

AXIAL

mmm

—

TANK

OSCILLATION

—

DISPLACEMENT

f *

ROTATION

RESERVOIR

-B-

FOR

AXIAL

DISCS

SCHEMATIC

DISC

—

DISC

MOTOR

M3-M4

FIG.7 Fig. 8 The German Infra-Red Laboratory (GIRL) as it might be viewed through the rear cabin win dow of the orbiter.

3-35 Fig. 9 Tethered Satellite System

3-36 Fig; 10 ESA's International Solar Polar Mission Satellite in the dynamic test chamber it ESTED (European Space Research and Technology Centre, Netherlands),

3-37 PAYLOAD

PAYLOAD ATTACH FITTING

SOLID ROCKET MOTOR

SPIN TABLE

SUN SHIELDS

CRADLE

FIG.11 IRIS SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

3-38 IP

Fig. 12 Retrievable carrier concept based on Spacelab half-pallet.

3-39