NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

This project illustrates an animation of the orbiter mate to the external tank, an animation of the OMS POD installation
to the orbiter, and a simulation of the landing gear mechanism at the Kennedy Space Center. A detailed storyboard was created
to reflect each animation or simulation. Solid models were collected and translated into Pro/Engineer’s prt and asm formats.
These solid models included computer files of the: orbiter, external tank, solid rocket booster, mobile launch platform,
transporter, vehicle assembly building, OMS POD fixture, and landing gear. A depository of the above solid models was
established. These solid models were translated into several formats. This depository contained the following files: stl for
sterolithography, stp for neutral file work, shrinkwrap for compression, tiff for photoshop work, jpeg for Internet use, and prt
and asm for Pro/Engineer use. Solid models were created of the material handling sling, bay 3 platforms, and orbiter contact
points. Animations were developed using mechanisms to reflect each storyboard. Every effort was made to build all models
technically correct for engineering use. The result was an animated routine that could be used by NASA for training material
handlers and uncovering engineering safety issues.
Author
Space Shuttles; Computerized Simulation; Three Dimensional Models; Training Simulators; Spacecraft Models; Preflight
Operations; Systems Engineering; Aerospace Safety
16
SPACE TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY
Includes passenger and cargo space transportation, e.g., shuttle operations; and space rescue techniques. For related information see
also 03 Air Transportation and Safety; 15 Launch Vehicles and Launch Operations; and 18 Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance.
For space suits see 54 Man/System Technology and Life Support.
20040111285 NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
STS-107 Mission after the Mission: Recovery of Data from the Debris of Columbia
Over, A. P.; Cassanto, J. M.; Cassanto, V. A.; DeLucas, L. J.; Reichert, P.; otil, S. M.; Reed, D. W.; Ahmay, F. T.; [2003];
10 pp.; In English; 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, 5-8 Jan. 2004, Reno, NV, USA
Contract(s)/Grant(s): WBS 400-35-80-01
Report No.(s): AIAA Paper 2004-285; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
STS-107 was a 16-day, dedicated research mission that included over 80 experiments, spanning many disciplines
including biology, physics, chemistry, and earth sciences, including many student experiments. The mission was considered
a resounding success until February 1, 2003, when tragedy struck the Columbia and her crew as she re-entered the atmosphere
over Texas. During the mission, approximately one third of the overall data was obtained but much more was stored in the
flight hardware systems. This paper documents a new set of STS-107 experiment objectives, a ‘mission after the mission,’ in
which several experiment teams attempted, and, in many cases succeeded, to recover data from their flight hardware, now
debris. A description of the data recovery efforts is included for these five experiment facilities: Combustion Module-2, Critical
Viscosity of Xenon-2, Commercial Instrumentation Technology Associates Biomedical Experiments-2, Biological Research in
Canisters-14, and Commercial Protein Crystal Growth.
Author
Debris; Space Shuttles; Columbia (Orbiter); Space Missions; Data Recorders; NASA Space Programs; Space Transportation
System
20040111423 NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, USA, Morgan Research Corp., Huntsville, AL, USA
Meteor Outbursts and Storms from the Spacecraft Hazard Perspective
Cooke, William; Moser, Danielle; Suggs, Rob; August 16, 2004; 1 pp.; In English; Meteoroids 2004, 16-20 Aug. 2004,
London, Ontario, Canada
Contract(s)/Grant(s): NNM04AA02C; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A01, Hardcopy
The recent Leonid meteor storms have propelled meteor shower forecasting from an idea into the realm of practical
application, invoked several times per year by numerous spacecraft. This paper will describe shower activity predictions,
which give zenith hourly rate (ZHR) as a function of time, and how these are translated into spacecraft risks. Common
spacecraft meteor shower mitigation strategies will also be discussed, and the important issue as to when to implement such
operations considered. It should be noted that, while the recent meteor storms did not result in the loss of a vehicle, there were
a few spacecraft anomalies attributed to Leonid strikes, and the nature of these will be commented upon. Finally, we assess
28