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(VIASA Educational BriefAn EducationalPublicationof theNational AeronauticsandSpace Administration

For theclassroom

Third Test Flight of Shuttle(STS-3)With Sun-like exhaust f lames and thunderousroar from its engines, the Space Shuttle Columbiamade its third su cce ssfu l f l ight into space on March22, 1982. At the controls were Jack Lousma, a vete-ran of the 59-day Skylab 3 mission, an d space rookieGordon Fullerton. Fullerton, though new to space

flight, is no newcomer to the Shutt le. In 1977, Fuller-ton was one of four astronauts who flew in theShutt le Orbiter Approach and Landing Tests.The third f l ight of Columbia lasted just over eightdays for a total flying time of 192 hours beforetouching down on Northrup Strip at White Sands,New Mexico on March 30th. Originally, the fl ight wasto last seven days. Bad weather condit ions at theprimary landing site at Edwards, Cal i fornia force d ashift to New Mexico. On the planned landing day,however, high winds delayed Columbia's landinguntil the next day.A s part of a four-f l ight orbital test program beforethe Shuttle becomes an operational space vehicleon its fi fth f l ight in November, 1982, Shuttle systemson STS-3 were tested more vigorously than on thetw o earl ier f l ights. Al though some minor problemsdeveloped, the engineering test program an d scien-tif ic investigations of the fl ight met nearly 100% oftheir objectives, making this the most successfulmission of Columbia and again proving the SpaceShuttle to be a reliable and versatile space launchsystem.Engineering Tests

A s part of the step-by-step evaluation of theShuttle's capabil ity as an operational launch vehiclesystem, the Orbiter underw ent passive thermal teststo check its response to the most extreme tempera-ture conditions anticipated in f l ight. This experimentwas important because the Orbiter is too large toperform these tests on the ground. For varyingperiods, the Orbiter was oriented with its open pay-load doors towards the Sun, its nose to the Sun,tail to Sun, and in a slow roll maneuver that heatsall sides equally (barbecue mode).Another important test was a "cold start" of theOrbiter's orbital maneuvering system (QMS) engines.This test simulated the worst case conditions for re-

starting the QMS engines in orbit. The OMS engines,are responsible for final insertion of the Orbiter intoorbit, adjusting orbits, and deorbit ing the vehicle.Other Orbiter expe rimen ts included addit ionalstudies of the heat shielding tile system, aerody-namic f l ight cha racte ristics, and further e valuationof the remote manipulator system (mechanical arm)for rem oval of payloads fro m the c argo bay. The armwas stressed by having it grasp a small researchpackage an d "wave" it above the bay.In addit ion to scientif ic and monitoring experi-ments on this f l ight of Columbia, a canister 61 by 91centimeters in size was inserted in the aft portionof the cargo bay. The canister was evaluated forus e with future "Getaway Special" payloads. Get-away Specials are small self -contained payloadsthat will be carried on future f l ights of the Shuttlewhenever space is available. Canisters are madeavailable to individuals, schools, and researchers ona rental basis. Experiments placed in them must be

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scientific or technological in nature and completelyself-contained except for a three-function on-offcircuit that will be operated by one of the flightastronauts. Already, 326 reservations for GetawaySpecials have been made by individuals and groupsfrom 33 states, the District of Columbia, and 15nations.Science Experiments"Pathfinder Mission"

NASA's Office of Space Science and Applicationsplaced its first scientific payload on Columbia's thirdflight. The OSS-1 payload consisted of nine experi-ments that will provide both technologic and scien-tific information necessary for future flights andserve as a "pathfinder" for more extensive experi-ments in the future.Environment Tests

Four of the nine experiments related directly tothe environment immediately surrounding the Orbiterand how the Orbiter interacts with it. In normalspacecraft operations, various gases are ventedfrom the Orbiter and these contaminate the other-wise clean vacuum that surrounds the vehicle. Oneexperiment measured the extent of contaminationof the surface of scientific instruments while anotherlooked at the effects these gases and vapors hadon the optical quality of near-orbiter space.Another of the four experiments measured theelectric and magnetic fields within 13.7meters ofthe Orbiter. For this, an experiment package wasgrappled by the mechanical arm and waved aboutthe Orbiter. The fourth experiment evaluated theoverall Orbiter electrical characteristics as well asits interaction with the plasma environment of theionosphere and the disturbances which result fromactive emission of electrons.Plant Lignification in Weightlessness

Lignin is a polymer produced by plants providingstrength for plants to grow upward against the pullof gravity. Though vital to plants, lignin interferes

Fluorescent Lights

Miracloth Wick

Urethane Foam

Lexan Cover

Pine Seedling

Agar Solution' -,Temperature Sensor

xSampling Ports (2)

Metal Base

with the extraction of wood fibers that go into theproduction of paper and chemical cellulose. It tiesup much of the plant's substance into relativelyuse-less material.This experiment, the first of several scheduled,looked at seedlings that began their growth inweightlessness. The seedlings chosen representedgymnosperms, mocotyledonous angiosperms, anddicotyledonous angiosperms. Just before launch,germinated seedlings were inserted into growthchambers and placed in a storage locker on theOrbiter's mid deck. On return to Earth, the seedlingswere immediately removed, photographed, andprocessed for standard lignin analysis. Results ofthe experiments will be compared with control seed-lings grown on Earth.By understanding lignin formation in weightless-ness, it is hoped that a better understanding of ligninformation on Earth can be gained. The knowledgemight be useful in better utilizing plant resources inthe future.Thermal Canister

All experiments in space require protection fromthe thermal extremes of the space environment.Previous spacecraft have required a variety of heat-ters, radiators, thermal blankets, and sensors tomaintain temperatures of experiments. The ThermalCanister experiment will attempt to develop a simplethermal system by employing heat pipes. Heat pipesare long narrow chambers with internal fluids andwicking that pump heat from one location to another.Results from this experiment are expected to helpin the thermal design of future scientific packages.Solar Astronomy Experiments

The last two OSS-1 experiments concerned studyof the Sun.One experiment used an X-ray Polarim-eter to study X-rays emitted during solar flare ac-tivities on the Sun.By knowing more of what hap-pens during a flare, a better understanding of howflares are produced could be developed.The other solar experiment studied the ultravioletradiation produced by the Sun. The experimentsought to develop a data base of more accuratemeasurements of ultraviolet radiations over a widewavelength range but the wavelength adjustmentcontrol became stuck in flight, restricting measure-ments to one wavelength only. Interest in under-

standing more about the Sun's ultraviolet radiationscame with increased realization of the effects ultra-violet radiation plays in long-range changes in theEarth's climate. This experiment was the first in aseries that will study the Sun over an eleven-yearsolar activity cycle.Microabrasion Foil Experiment

Micrometeorites are encountered by all space-craft in orbit around the Earth. Study of these par-ticles yields basic information about the history ofour solar system.On STS-3, a simple micrometeorite experiment

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was carried to count and collect particles. Sheetsof aluminum foil were bonded to a substrate ofKapton plastic. The sheets were exposed to spaceand examined after the flight. Only the heaviestparticles penetrated the foil and substrate and werecollected but very light particles left craters in thealuminum. Collected particles are being examinedand analysed and, from the crater counts, informa-tion about the micrometeorite densities are beingdeveloped.

V. '\'..'Mmpact'-'V'.-"Aluminum ' . -N'-" ;Flash ' _ '-' - r .".N . \ " * ~ ~\ :;/;"xFoil CraterProfile

Materials Processing ExperimentsMonodisperse (identical size) polystyrene latexmicrospheres are useful tools in medical research.The spheres, measured in microns, are used asmeasurement comparison standards. In this experi-

ment, an attempt was made to learn if a processto produce 20-micron size spheres is practical andeconomical in space.Spheres of the 20-micron size are expected to beuseful in measuring the size of pores in the humaneye for glaucoma research, pore sizes in intestinewalls for cancer research, and to serve as carriersfor drugs and isotopes for the treatment of cancer-ous tumors.Electrophoresis Test

An electrophoresis test carried on STS-3 was theforerunner of planned future experiments to learnif biological cells could be separated according totheir surface electrical charge. The process of elec-trophoresis uses an electrical charge to separatethe cells but, on Earth, gravity interferes with theaction, causing the cells to settle out. In the weight-less conditions on the Shuttle during STS-3 cellswere quickly separated.The efectrophoresis experiment is helping to de-velop an economical process for space processingof cells and other biological materials. Separatedcells and materials maysomeday be used to processPharmaceuticals in space that could not be pro-duced economically in the gravity environment of

Earth. Unfortunately, test samples of the electro-phoresis experiment were ruined when a storagefreezer, used to preserve the samples in their sepa-rated condition, failed.Heflex Bioengineering Test

On STS-2 the Heflex Bioengineering Test (HBT)was first flown in space. Due to the shortened mis-sion, the test was unsuccessful.HBT is a preliminary test for a plant experimentplanned to be flown on the Spacelab 1 mission.Heflex stands for Helianthus annuus Flight Experi-ment. Helianthus annuus is the dwarf sunflower.In the experiment, dwarf sunflower seeds wereplanted in pots containing a growth medium andmoisture of varying percentages. In the weightlesscondition of orbit, soil wicks moisture around theseeds, drowning them. The HBT attempted to deter-mine the optimum moisture to use for the laterHeflex experiments on Spacelab 1. Analysis of theexperiment was based upon the amount of growtheach plant exhibited during its flight on the Shuttle,compared to control plants on Earth.Student Experiment Onboard

Along with the many experiments and tests con-ducted for engineers and scientists on this flight ofColumbia, a special experiment was carried for ahigh school student scientist. The experiment wascalled "Insects in Flight Motion Study",and wasconceived by Todd E. Nelson, an 18-year old seniorfrom Southland Public School in Adams^Minne-sota. Mr. Nelson was one of 10 finalists in' the firstnational Space Shuttle Student Involvement Project.The Shuttle Student Involvement Project (SSIP)fo r secondary school students is a joint venture of

NASA and the National Science Teachers Associa-tion (NSTA). It is designed to stimulate the study ofscience and technology in the nation's secondaryschools by providing access to the unique researchenvironment of the Space Shuttle.In the insect flight experiment, pupa and adultsof the velvetbean caterpillar moth, housefly larva,and adult honeybee workers were carried in a par-titioned chamber. The three insect species werechosen to provide different wing-to-body-weightratios. During launch, the chamber was stored inColumbia's mid-deck. In space, the chamber wasremoved from the locker and mounted against oneof the deck walls. Flying activities of the insectswere observed by the astronauts and by onboard

cameras.While the insects were "flying" on Columbia, acontrol experiment was conducted in a similar envi-ronment on the ground. Light, pressure, and tem-perature in the control experiment duplicated theflight experiment. The primary variable of the ex-periment was the weightless condition of Earth orbit.(Scientists normally refer to this condition as "zerog" although the term implies that there are placeswhere gravity does not exist. The weightless condi-tion comes from the free-falling motion of the space-

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craft in orbit. If the spacecraft were stopped in orbit,it would fall to Earth's surface because of gravita-tional attraction.)In space, some of the insects seemed to havedifficulty orienting themselves for flight. The mothsdid the best job of f lying in weightlessness. The beesseemed content to tumble through the air withoutflapping their wings and the f l ies spent much of theirtime walking along the walls of the chamber. Af ter afew days in space, most insects tended to stick to

the chamber walls.A s with the other Shuttle experiments, final resultsof the insect fl ight experiment will not be publishedfor several months.Facts and FiguresSpacecraft: Columbia (Orbiter 102)Crew: Jack R. Lousma (Commander)C. Gordon Fullerton (Pilot)Launch site: Launch complex 39A, NASA KennedySpace Center (KSC), FloridaLaunch date: Ma rch 22 , 1982, 10:59:59 a.m.,Eastern Standard TimeVehicle mass at launch: 2031 619 kgPayload mass: 9 658.5 kgSolid rocket booster separation: 00:02:08 MET (mis-sion elapsed time)Solid Rocket Booster separation altitude: 49 990metersSolid Rocket Booster splashdown: Approximately258 km from KS C, 2936'N, 7812'WMain engine cutoff: 00:08:32 METExternal Tank separation: 00:08:57 METOrbital Maneuvering SystemBurn data: 1) 00:10:32 METResulting orbit: 86 km x 242 km2) 00:42:17 MET241 km x 242 kmOrbital velocity: 26 175 km per hourOrbital inclination: 38Orbital period: 90 minutes ()Number of orbits: 129, landed on 130

Distance traveled in orbit: Approximately5 395 335 kmDeorbit retrofire: 07:23:13:30 METTouchdown: March 30, 19829:04:49 a.m. Mountain Standard TimeLanding site: Northrup S trip, White Sands, NewMexicoLanding velocity: 424 km per hourLanding rollout: 4186 mMass of Orbiter on landing: Approximately 92 534 kgMission dura tion: 8 days, 4 minutes, 49 secondsActivities and Discussion for the Classroom1. Discuss with your students how an experimenchamber for l iving organisms should be designedfo r f l ight on board the Space Shuttle. Discusschamber shape, lighting, food and moisture requirements of the organisms, how the experimentwill be observed, etc.2. High school teachers interested in involving theistudents in future Student Shuttle InvolvemenProject competitions should write the followingaddress:

Shutt le Student Involvement ProjectNational Science Teachers Association1742 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.Washington, DC 20009202/328-58003. What is plasma?4. Simulate the cratering effects of the microabra-sion foil experiment by dropping marbles intodishes of very fine sand or powder. "High"velocity impacts and grazing impacts can besimulated with a slingshot to propel the marble.Caution: Be very careful to aim the marble in adirect ion where it will do no harm when itbounces off the impact area. A heavy cloth suchas a blanket can be hung to catch the marble.The person who shoots the marble should wearsafety glasses.5. Investigate heat pipes, how they work, and ter-restrial uses for them.6. Research solar phenomenon and their effects

upon Earth.U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTIHG OFFICE: 1982 - 361-570 - 414/3252