The Complete Book of Spaceflight: From Apollo 1 to Zero Gravity

mass
In general, the amount of matter in a body. Mass can be
defined more precisely in terms of how difficult it is to
change a body’s state of motion or how great is the
body’s gravitational effect on other objects. The first of
these is called inertial mass and is given by the factor m in
Newton’s second law F = ma. The second is called gravitational
mass and is the mass corresponding to an object’s
weight in a local gravitational field—the m in F = mg for an
object on or near the Earth. According to all experiments,
the values for m arising from these two definitions
are identical. Einstein’s mass-energy relationship also
shows that mass and energy are interchangeable.
mass driver
An electromagnetic cannon that would be able to accelerate
payloads from the surface of a low-gravity world,
such as the Moon or an asteroid, into space. 51
mass ratio
The ratio of the initial mass of a spacecraft, or one of its
stages, to the final mass after consumption of the propellant.
mass-energy relationship
Einstein’s famous equation E = mc 2 . This shows that mass
and energy are really two sides of the same coin. It also
gives the amount of energy E that results when a mass m is
completely turned into energy, c being the speed of light.
The fact that c squared is a huge number indicates that a
vast amount of energy can come from even a tiny amount
of matter. Mass-to-energy conversion is the basic principle
at work in some advanced propulsion schemes such as the
nuclear pulse rocket and antimatter propulsion.
MASTIF (Multiple Axis Space Test Inertia Facility)
A three-axis gimbal rig, built by the Lewis Research Center
(now the Glenn Research Center), which simulated
tumble-type maneuvers that might be encountered during
a space mission. Three tubular aluminum cages could
revolve separately or in combination to give roll, pitch,
and yaw motions at speeds up to 30 rpm, greater than
those expected in actual spaceflight. Nitrogen-gas jets
attached to the three cages controlled the motion. At the
center of the innermost cage, the pilot was strapped into
a plastic seat similar to that in a Mercury capsule. His
head, body, and legs were held in place, leaving only his
arms free. The pilot actuated the jets by means of a righthand
control column. Communication was by radio,
which was operated by a button atop the left-hand column.
Complex tumbling motions were started by the
operator at the control station, and control then switched
Mattingly, Thomas K., II 267
to the pilot. By reading instruments mounted at eye level
before him, the pilot interpreted his motions and made
corrections accordingly. From February 15 to March 4,
1960, MASTIF provided training for all seven Project
Mercury astronauts. Each experienced about five hours
of “flight time.” Later that year, a set of woman pilots also
used the device as part of a broader assessment of abilities
(see Mercury Thirteen). In addition, the rig was used to
evaluate instrument control systems for spaceflight and
to study the physiological effects of spinning, such as eye
oscillation and motion sickness.
Matador
The first successful surface-to-surface, pilotless, tactical
weapon developed for the U.S. Air Force. A highly
mobile system designed to deliver a warhead on tactical
missions in support of ground troops for a distance of up
to 960 km, the Matador project began shortly after the
end of World War II. Test firings began in 1949 in Alamogordo,
New Mexico, and by January 1951 the Matador
was in production.
Matagorda Island
Located 80 km northeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, at
28.5° N, 96.5° W, the site of a private launch pad used by
Space Services to launch its Conestoga rocket in 1982.
Mattingly, Thomas K., II (1936–)
A veteran American astronaut involved in both the
Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. Mattingly received
a B.S. in aeronautical engineering from Auburn University
in 1958 and subsequently flew carrier-based aircraft.
Selected by NASA in April 1966, he served as a member
of the astronaut support crews for the Apollo 8 and
Apollo 11 missions, and he was also the astronaut representative
in the development and testing of the Apollo
spacesuit and backpack. Although designated as the
Command Module pilot for Apollo 13, he was removed
from flight status 72 hours before the scheduled launch
because of exposure to German measles. Mattingly subsequently
served as Command Module pilot of Apollo
16 and head of astronaut office support to the Space
Shuttle program from January 1973 to March 1978. He
was next assigned as technical assistant for flight test to
the manager of the Orbital Flight Test Program. From
December 1979 to April 1981, he headed the Astronaut
Office ascent/entry group. He subsequently served as
backup commander for STS-2 and STS-3, Columbia’s second
and third orbital test flights. Mattingly was commander
for the fourth and final orbital test flights of the
Shuttle Columbia (STS-4) on June 27, 1982, and was also
commander for the first Department of Defense (DoD)