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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2011}}
{{morefootnotes|date=May 2008}}
{{morefootnotes|date=May 2008}}
{{Infobox Space mission
{{Infobox Space mission
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| shuttle = Discovery
| shuttle = Discovery
| launch_pad = 39-B
| launch_pad = 39-B
| launch = September 29, 1988, 15:37:00 [[UTC]]
| launch = 29 September 1988, 15:37:00 [[UTC]]
| landing = October 3, 1988, 16:37:11 UTC
| landing = 3 October 1988, 16:37:11 UTC
| duration = 4/01:00:11
| duration = 4/01:00:11
| altitude = {{convert|376|km|nmi}}
| altitude = {{convert|376|km|nmi}}
| inclination = 28.5 degrees
| inclination = 28.5 degrees
| orbits = 64
| orbits = 64
| distance = {{convert|2,703,000|km|mi}}
| distance = {{convert|2703000|km|mi}}
| crew_photo =The_STS-26_Return_To_Flight_Crew_-_GPN-2000-001174.jpg
| crew_photo =The_STS-26_Return_To_Flight_Crew_-_GPN-2000-001174.jpg
| crew_caption =
| crew_caption =
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}}
}}


'''STS-26''' was the 26th [[Space Shuttle]] mission and the seventh flight for [[Space Shuttle Discovery|''Discovery'']], launched from [[Kennedy Space Center]], [[Florida]]. It was the "Return to Flight" mission, being the first mission after the [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster]]. This was the first mission to use the original [[Space Transportation System]] numbering system since [[STS-9]], and the first to have all crew members wearing [[pressure suit]]s for launch and landing since [[STS-4]]. STS-26 was also the first all-veteran crew (flown at least one prior mission) mission since [[Apollo 11]].
'''STS-26''' was the 26th [[Space Shuttle]] mission and the seventh flight for [[Space Shuttle Discovery|''Discovery'']], launched from [[Kennedy Space Center]], Florida. It was the "Return to Flight" mission, being the first mission after the [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster]]. This was the first mission to use the original [[Space Transportation System]] numbering system since [[STS-9]], and the first to have all crew members wearing [[pressure suit]]s for launch and landing since [[STS-4]]. STS-26 was also the first all-veteran crew (flown at least one prior mission) mission since [[Apollo 11]].


==Crew==
==Crew==
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==Mission parameters==
==Mission parameters==
*'''[[Mass]]:'''
*'''[[Mass]]:'''
**''Orbiter liftoff:'' {{convert|115,487|kg}}
**''Orbiter liftoff:'' {{convert|115487|kg}}
**''Orbiter landing:'' {{convert|88,078|kg}}
**''Orbiter landing:'' {{convert|88078|kg}}
**''Payload:'' {{convert|21,082|kg}}
**''Payload:'' {{convert|21082|kg}}
*'''[[Perigee]]:''' {{convert|301|km}}
*'''[[Perigee]]:''' {{convert|301|km}}
*'''[[Apogee]]:''' {{convert|306|km}}
*'''[[Apogee]]:''' {{convert|306|km}}
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==Mission highlights==
==Mission highlights==
[[File:Return to Flight Launch of Discovery - GPN-2000-001871.jpg|thumb|right|STS-26 launches from Kennedy Space Center, September 29, 1988.]]
[[File:Return to Flight Launch of Discovery - GPN-2000-001871.jpg|thumb|right|STS-26 launches from Kennedy Space Center, 29 September 1988.]]


[[Space Shuttle Discovery]] lifted off from Pad B, Launch Complex 39, [[Kennedy Space Center]], at 11:37 a.m. EDT on September 29, 1988, 975 days after the [[STS-51-L|''Challenger'' disaster]]. Launch of America's return-to-flight mission was delayed for 1 hour and 38 minutes because of unseasonable and unusual light winds aloft, and to replace fuses in the cooling systems of two crew members' flight suits. The suits were repaired, and a waiver was issued for the wind conditions after officials determined there was a sufficient safety margin for wind loads on the orbiter wing leading edges. The 26th Shuttle flight was the seventh for Discovery.
[[Space Shuttle Discovery]] lifted off from Pad B, Launch Complex 39, [[Kennedy Space Center]], at 11:37 am EDT on 29 September 1988, 975 days after the [[STS-51-L|''Challenger'' disaster]]. Launch of America's return-to-flight mission was delayed for 1 hour and 38 minutes because of unseasonable and unusual light winds aloft, and to replace fuses in the cooling systems of two crew members' flight suits. The suits were repaired, and a waiver was issued for the wind conditions after officials determined there was a sufficient safety margin for wind loads on the orbiter wing leading edges. The 26th Shuttle flight was the seventh for Discovery.


The primary payload for the STS-26 mission, a [[Tracking and Data Relay Satellite]] (TDRS), was successfully deployed, and 11 scheduled middeck scientific and technological experiments were carried out. The orbiter sustained only minor Thermal Protection System tile damage and the redesigned solid rocket boosters showed no signs of leakage or overheating at any of the joints.
The primary payload for the STS-26 mission, a [[Tracking and Data Relay Satellite]] (TDRS), was successfully deployed, and 11 scheduled middeck scientific and technological experiments were carried out. The orbiter sustained only minor Thermal Protection System tile damage and the redesigned solid rocket boosters showed no signs of leakage or overheating at any of the joints.


Two minor problems occurred during the flight. After ascent, the Flash Evaporator System for cooling the orbiter iced up and shut down, increasing the crew cabin temperature to approximately 87 degrees Fahrenheit. The problem was resolved on Flight Day 4 and cooler temperatures resulted. A Ku-band antenna for communications was successfully deployed on Flight Day 2, but it failed to respond properly and had to be stowed for the remainder of the mission.
Two minor problems occurred during the flight. After ascent, the Flash Evaporator System for cooling the orbiter iced up and shut down, increasing the crew cabin temperature to approximately {{convert|87|°F|°C}}. The problem was resolved on Flight Day 4 and cooler temperatures resulted. A Ku-band antenna for communications was successfully deployed on Flight Day 2, but it failed to respond properly and had to be stowed for the remainder of the mission.


Space Shuttle Discovery holds the distinction of being the first ship to fly in space equipped with a VCU (Voice Control Unit), a "computer" that recognized and responded to human speech. This speech recognition system controlled the cameras and monitors that were used by the crew to monitor the mechanical arm mounted in the cargo bay. Because of the experimental nature of speech recognition this system was not used for any critical operations. Initial problems almost sidelined the tests when the voice templates that were created prior to liftoff were found to have less than 60% recognition for one crew member and less than 40% recognition for another. This problem was corrected by retraining the templates. It was retested and found to be operational with a recognition success rate of over 96%. It was concluded that weightless conditions caused a fundamental change in human speech which made the templates created prior to liftoff virtually useless. The VCU was created by a group of engineers and scientists that worked for SCI Systems in Huntsville, Alabama. It was based on technology licensed from the Votan company.
Space Shuttle Discovery holds the distinction of being the first ship to fly in space equipped with a VCU (Voice Control Unit), a "computer" that recognized and responded to human speech. This speech recognition system controlled the cameras and monitors that were used by the crew to monitor the mechanical arm mounted in the cargo bay. Because of the experimental nature of speech recognition this system was not used for any critical operations. Initial problems almost sidelined the tests when the voice templates that were created prior to liftoff were found to have less than 60% recognition for one crew member and less than 40% recognition for another. This problem was corrected by retraining the templates. It was retested and found to be operational with a recognition success rate of over 96%. It was concluded that weightless conditions caused a fundamental change in human speech which made the templates created prior to liftoff virtually useless. The VCU was created by a group of engineers and scientists that worked for SCI Systems in Huntsville, Alabama. It was based on technology licensed from the Votan company.


Besides conducting the various experiments, crew members practiced suiting up in new partial-pressure, or launch-and-entry, flight suits, and unstowing and attaching the new crew escape system. On October 2, the day before the mission ended, the five-man crew paid a moving tribute to the 51-L ''Challenger'' crew.
Besides conducting the various experiments, crew members practiced suiting up in new partial-pressure, or launch-and-entry, flight suits, and unstowing and attaching the new crew escape system. On 2 October, the day before the mission ended, the five-man crew paid a moving tribute to the 51-L ''Challenger'' crew.


Discovery landed on Runway 17, Edwards AFB, California, at 12:37 p.m. EDT on [[October 3|Oct. 3]]. Mission duration was 4 days and 1 hour. Capsule Communicator Blaine Hammond Jr. welcomed the crew, saying it was "a great ending to a new beginning."
Discovery landed on Runway 17, Edwards AFB, California, at 12:37 pm EDT on 3 Oct.. Mission duration was 4 days and 1 hour. Capsule Communicator Blaine Hammond Jr. welcomed the crew, saying it was "a great ending to a new beginning."


===Crew===
===Crew===
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===Payloads and experiments===
===Payloads and experiments===
[[Image:TDRS-C Deployed.jpg|thumb|left|250px|TDRS after deployment]]
[[Image:TDRS-C Deployed.jpg|thumb|left|250px|TDRS after deployment]]
[[TDRS#Variants_and_history|TDRS-C]], which became TDRS-3 in orbit, and its attached [[Inertial Upper Stage]] (IUS), were deployed from Discovery's cargo bay 6 hours, 13 minutes, into the flight. The first stage of the IUS placed TDRS-3 in a transfer orbit, and the IUS second stage placed the vehicle in geosynchronous orbit on Sept. 30. TDRS-3, the second operational Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, moved into position over the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii at 171 degrees west longitude. It joined TDRS-1 in tracking Earth-orbiting spacecraft. TDRS-B was lost in the ''Challenger'' accident. Also in the payload bay was the Orbiter Experiments Autonomous Supporting Instrumentation System (OASIS). OASIS recorded environmental data on the orbiter and the TDRS payload during various inflight phases.
[[TDRS#Variants_and_history|TDRS-C]], which became TDRS-3 in orbit, and its attached [[Inertial Upper Stage]] (IUS), were deployed from Discovery's cargo bay 6 hours, 13 minutes, into the flight. The first stage of the IUS placed TDRS-3 in a transfer orbit, and the IUS second stage placed the vehicle in geosynchronous orbit on 30 Sept. TDRS-3, the second operational Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, moved into position over the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii at 171 degrees west longitude. It joined TDRS-1 in tracking Earth-orbiting spacecraft. TDRS-B was lost in the ''Challenger'' accident. Also in the payload bay was the Orbiter Experiments Autonomous Supporting Instrumentation System (OASIS). OASIS recorded environmental data on the orbiter and the TDRS payload during various inflight phases.


All the middeck experiments were deemed to have operated or performed successfully. But there were some glitches with two of the five experiments that involved materials science. In the Protein Crystal Growth experiment, two of the 11 proteins processed did not produce crystals suitable for analysis. That includes a key enzyme in the replication of [[AIDS]]. Also, there were some equipment problems with the Automatic Directional Solidification Furnace, an experiment to investigate the melting and solidification of various materials.
All the middeck experiments were deemed to have operated or performed successfully. But there were some glitches with two of the five experiments that involved materials science. In the Protein Crystal Growth experiment, two of the 11 proteins processed did not produce crystals suitable for analysis. That includes a key enzyme in the replication of AIDS. Also, there were some equipment problems with the Automatic Directional Solidification Furnace, an experiment to investigate the melting and solidification of various materials.


The materials processing experiments included two Shuttle Student Involvement Projects, one on titanium grain formation and the other on controlling crystal growth with a membrane. Another materials science experiment, the Physical Vapor Transport of Organic Solids, was a joint project of NASA's Office of Commercial Programs and the 3M Company.
The materials processing experiments included two Shuttle Student Involvement Projects, one on titanium grain formation and the other on controlling crystal growth with a membrane. Another materials science experiment, the Physical Vapor Transport of Organic Solids, was a joint project of NASA's Office of Commercial Programs and the 3M Company.
Line 97: Line 98:


== Wake-up calls ==
== Wake-up calls ==
Sleeping shuttle astronauts were often awakened with a short piece of music, a tradition that apparently began during [[Apollo 15]].<ref name="chronology">{{cite news|first=Colin|last=Fries|title=Chronology of Wakeup Calls|date=April 20, 2010|publisher=NASA|url=http://history.nasa.gov/wakeup%20calls.pdf|work=|format=[[PDF]]|pages=|accessdate= 2010-05-24}}</ref> Each track was specially chosen, sometimes by their families, and usually had a special meaning to an individual member of the crew, or was applicable to their daily activities.<ref name="chronology"/>
Sleeping shuttle astronauts were often awakened with a short piece of music, a tradition that apparently began during [[Apollo 15]].<ref name="chronology">{{cite news|first=Colin|last=Fries|title=Chronology of Wakeup Calls|date=20 April 2010|publisher=NASA|url=http://history.nasa.gov/wakeup%20calls.pdf|format=[[PDF]]|accessdate=24 May 2010}}</ref> Each track was specially chosen, sometimes by their families, and usually had a special meaning to an individual member of the crew, or was applicable to their daily activities.<ref name="chronology"/>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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Revision as of 06:36, 18 May 2011

STS-26
COSPAR ID1988-091A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.19547Edit this on Wikidata
End of mission
 

STS-26 was the 26th Space Shuttle mission and the seventh flight for Discovery, launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. It was the "Return to Flight" mission, being the first mission after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. This was the first mission to use the original Space Transportation System numbering system since STS-9, and the first to have all crew members wearing pressure suits for launch and landing since STS-4. STS-26 was also the first all-veteran crew (flown at least one prior mission) mission since Apollo 11.

Crew

Position Astronaut
Commander Frederick H. Hauck
Third spaceflight
Pilot Richard O. Covey
Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 1 Mike Lounge
Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 2 George D. Nelson
Third spaceflight
Mission Specialist 3 David C. Hilmers
Second spaceflight

Mission parameters

  • Mass:
    • Orbiter liftoff: 115,487 kilograms (254,605 lb)
    • Orbiter landing: 88,078 kilograms (194,179 lb)
    • Payload: 21,082 kilograms (46,478 lb)
  • Perigee: 301 kilometres (187 mi)
  • Apogee: 306 kilometres (190 mi)
  • Inclination: 28.5°
  • Period: 90.6 min

Mission highlights

STS-26 launches from Kennedy Space Center, 29 September 1988.

Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off from Pad B, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, at 11:37 am EDT on 29 September 1988, 975 days after the Challenger disaster. Launch of America's return-to-flight mission was delayed for 1 hour and 38 minutes because of unseasonable and unusual light winds aloft, and to replace fuses in the cooling systems of two crew members' flight suits. The suits were repaired, and a waiver was issued for the wind conditions after officials determined there was a sufficient safety margin for wind loads on the orbiter wing leading edges. The 26th Shuttle flight was the seventh for Discovery.

The primary payload for the STS-26 mission, a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS), was successfully deployed, and 11 scheduled middeck scientific and technological experiments were carried out. The orbiter sustained only minor Thermal Protection System tile damage and the redesigned solid rocket boosters showed no signs of leakage or overheating at any of the joints.

Two minor problems occurred during the flight. After ascent, the Flash Evaporator System for cooling the orbiter iced up and shut down, increasing the crew cabin temperature to approximately 87 °F (31 °C). The problem was resolved on Flight Day 4 and cooler temperatures resulted. A Ku-band antenna for communications was successfully deployed on Flight Day 2, but it failed to respond properly and had to be stowed for the remainder of the mission.

Space Shuttle Discovery holds the distinction of being the first ship to fly in space equipped with a VCU (Voice Control Unit), a "computer" that recognized and responded to human speech. This speech recognition system controlled the cameras and monitors that were used by the crew to monitor the mechanical arm mounted in the cargo bay. Because of the experimental nature of speech recognition this system was not used for any critical operations. Initial problems almost sidelined the tests when the voice templates that were created prior to liftoff were found to have less than 60% recognition for one crew member and less than 40% recognition for another. This problem was corrected by retraining the templates. It was retested and found to be operational with a recognition success rate of over 96%. It was concluded that weightless conditions caused a fundamental change in human speech which made the templates created prior to liftoff virtually useless. The VCU was created by a group of engineers and scientists that worked for SCI Systems in Huntsville, Alabama. It was based on technology licensed from the Votan company.

Besides conducting the various experiments, crew members practiced suiting up in new partial-pressure, or launch-and-entry, flight suits, and unstowing and attaching the new crew escape system. On 2 October, the day before the mission ended, the five-man crew paid a moving tribute to the 51-L Challenger crew.

Discovery landed on Runway 17, Edwards AFB, California, at 12:37 pm EDT on 3 Oct.. Mission duration was 4 days and 1 hour. Capsule Communicator Blaine Hammond Jr. welcomed the crew, saying it was "a great ending to a new beginning."

Crew

Crew members, all veteran astronauts, were Commander Frederick H. "Rick" Hauck, Pilot Richard O. Covey, and Mission Specialists John M. "Mike" Lounge, George D. "Pinky" Nelson and David C. Hilmers.

Payloads and experiments

TDRS after deployment

TDRS-C, which became TDRS-3 in orbit, and its attached Inertial Upper Stage (IUS), were deployed from Discovery's cargo bay 6 hours, 13 minutes, into the flight. The first stage of the IUS placed TDRS-3 in a transfer orbit, and the IUS second stage placed the vehicle in geosynchronous orbit on 30 Sept. TDRS-3, the second operational Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, moved into position over the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii at 171 degrees west longitude. It joined TDRS-1 in tracking Earth-orbiting spacecraft. TDRS-B was lost in the Challenger accident. Also in the payload bay was the Orbiter Experiments Autonomous Supporting Instrumentation System (OASIS). OASIS recorded environmental data on the orbiter and the TDRS payload during various inflight phases.

All the middeck experiments were deemed to have operated or performed successfully. But there were some glitches with two of the five experiments that involved materials science. In the Protein Crystal Growth experiment, two of the 11 proteins processed did not produce crystals suitable for analysis. That includes a key enzyme in the replication of AIDS. Also, there were some equipment problems with the Automatic Directional Solidification Furnace, an experiment to investigate the melting and solidification of various materials.

The materials processing experiments included two Shuttle Student Involvement Projects, one on titanium grain formation and the other on controlling crystal growth with a membrane. Another materials science experiment, the Physical Vapor Transport of Organic Solids, was a joint project of NASA's Office of Commercial Programs and the 3M Company.

Three experiments were in life sciences, including one on the Aggregration of Red Blood Cells, which will help to determine if microgravity can play a beneficial role in clinical research and medical diagnostic tests. Two experiments involved atmospheric sciences and one was in communications research.

Primary payload

TDRS is prepared for deployment.

NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-3 (TDRS-3) attached to an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS), became second TDRS deployed. After deployment, IUS propelled satellite to geosynchronous orbit.

Secondary payloads

  • Physical Vapor Transport of Organic Solids (PVTOS)
  • Protein Crystal Growth (PCG)
  • Infrared Communications Flight Experiment (IRCFE)
  • Aggregation of Red Blood Cells (ARC)
  • Isoelectric Focusing Experiment (IFE)
  • Mesoscale Lightning Experiment (MLE)
  • Phase Partitioning Experiment (PPE)
  • Earth-Limb Radiance Experiment (ELRAD)
  • Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (ADSF)
  • Two Shuttle Student Involvement Program (SSIP) experiments.
  • Voice Control Unit test and evaluation (VCU)

Wake-up calls

Sleeping shuttle astronauts were often awakened with a short piece of music, a tradition that apparently began during Apollo 15.[1] Each track was specially chosen, sometimes by their families, and usually had a special meaning to an individual member of the crew, or was applicable to their daily activities.[1]

Flight Day Song Artist/Composer
Day 2
 "Gooooooood Morning Discovery!!" Robin Williams
Day 3
 "I Get Around" parody Mike Cahill
Day 4
 "Fun, Fun, Fun..." parody Mike Cahill

Gallery

  • Liftoff from LC39B
    Liftoff from LC39B
  • Cargo bay
    Cargo bay
  • Tilt table in deploy position
    Tilt table in deploy position
  • Release
    Release
  • Hawaiian Islands
    Hawaiian Islands
  • Chad
    Chad
  • Jebel Marra, Sudan
    Jebel Marra, Sudan
  • Discovery returns
    Discovery returns

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Fries, Colin (20 April 2010). "Chronology of Wakeup Calls" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 24 May 2010.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=STS-26&oldid=429682116"