ii

COVER: Unmanned s p a c e c r a f t w i t h a t t a c h e d i n t e r i m

upper s t a q e ( I U S ) i s t r a n s f e r r e d from open c a r g o bay

o f S h u t t l e o r b i t e r i n t o s p a c e by t h e o r b i t e r ' s remote
manipulator ( a r t i s t ' s concept). The I U S can r o c k e t
s p a c e c r a f t t o higher o r b i t s than t h e S h u t t l e can reach

or i n t o i n t e r p l a n e t a r y t r a j e c t o r i e s . he remote manip-

ulator system, developed by Canada a t i t s own expense,

4
permits a s t r o n a u t s i n s i d e t h e arbiter t o deploy o r
retrieve orbiting satellites.
 iii

"Although we are planning many exciting nissions

for the Shuttle, we have only scratched. the surface.

Once the Shuttle is o2erational mc', a fact of life,

inventive and innovative minds w i l l create uses d i f f i -

cult to envision now. m a t were dreams not long ago
will be reality. Man will come to feel at hone in

space. I'

-- James C. Fletcher
NPSA Administrator

November 1976
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Washington. D C 20546
AC 202 755-8370

For Release:

David Garrett
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. IMMEDIATE
(Phone: 202/755-3090)

Victor Seigel
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone: 202/755-3350)

RELEASE NO: 77-7

SPACE SHUTTLE -- THE COMING OF AGE IN SPACE

The beginning of regularly scheduled runs of NASA's

Space Shuttle to and from Earth orbit in the 19.80smarks
the coming of age in space. The Shuttle turns formidable
and costly space missions into routine and economical
operations that generate maximum benefits for all people.
Shuttle opens space to men and women of all nations who
are reasonably healthy and have important work to do
there .

-more-

Mailed:
January 2 4 , 1977
 -2-

A V e r s a t i l e Vehicle

Space S h u t t l e i s a t r u e a e r o s p a c e v e h i c l e . It takes

o f f l i k e a rocket, maneuvers i n E a r t h o r b i t l i k e a space-

c r a f t , and l a n d s l i k e an a i r p l a n e . Space S h u t t l e i s designed
t o c a r r y heavy l o a d s i n t o E a r t h o r b i t . O t h e r launch v e h i c l e s

have done t h i s . But u n l i k e t h e o t h e r launch vehicles which

w e r e used j u s t once, each Space S h u t t l e o r b i t e r may be re-
used a hundred t i m e s o r more.

Moreover, S h u t t l e p e r m i t s checkout and r e p a i r of un-

manned s a t e l l i t e s i n o r b i t , o r r e t u r n of t h e s a t e l l i t e s t o
E a r t h f o r repairs t h a t could n o t be done i n space. This

w i l l r e s u l t i n c o n s i d e r a b l e s a v i n g s i n s p a c e c r a f t costs.
S a t e l l i t e s t h a t t h e S h u t t l e can o r b i t and m a i n t a i n i n c l u d e
t h o s e i n v o l v e d i n environmental p r o t e c t i o n , energy, weather
f o r e c a s t i n g , n a v i g a t i o n , f i s h i n g , farming, mapping, ocean-
ography and many o t h e r f i e l d s u s e f u l t o man.

I n t e r p l a n e t a r y s p a c e c r a f t can a l s o be p l a c e d i n o r b i t
by t h e S h u t t l e , t o g e t h e r w i t h a rocket s t a g e c a l l e d t h e
I n t e r i m Upper S t a g e ( I U S ) which i s b e i n g developed by t h e
Department of Defense. A f t e r t h e I U S and spacecraft are

checked o u t , t h e I U S i s i g n i t e d t o a c c e l e r a t e t h e s p a c e c r a f t

i n t o deep space. T h e I U S w i l l a l s o be employed t o boost

s a t e l l i t e s t o h i g h e r o r b i t s t h a n t h e S h u t t l e ' s maximum
altitude -- about 1 , 0 0 0 kilometers (approximately 6 0 0 m i l e s ) .
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 -3-

Unmanned s a t e l l i t e s s u c h as t h e Space Telescope, which

can m u l t i p l y man's v i e w of t h e u n i v e r s e , and t h e Long Dura-
t i o n Exposure F a c i l i t y (LDEF), which can demonstrate t h e
e f f e c t s on m a t e r i a l s of long exposure t o t h e space environ-
ment, can be p l a c e d i n o r b i t , e r e c t e d , a n d r e t u r n e d t o E a r t h
by t h e Space S h u t t l e . S h u t t l e crews c a n , a l s o perform such
s e r v i c e s a s r e p l a c i n g t h e Space Telescope's f i l m packs and
lenses. The Space Telescope i s being s t u d i e d by Marshall
Space F l i g h t C e n t e r , H u n t s v i l l e , A l a . , and Goddard Space
F l i g h t Center, Greenbelt, Md., w h i l e LDEF i s a p r o d u c t of

. Langley Research C e n t e r , Hampton, Va.

The S h u t t l e i s a manned s p a c e c r a f t , b u t u n l i k e manned

s p a c e c r a f t of t h e p a s t l i k e Mercury, Gemini and Apollo, it

touches down l i k e an a i r p l a n e on a l a n d i n g s t r i p . Thus,
t h e S h u t t l e e l i m i n a t e s t h e need f o r the expensive sea re=

covery f o r c e r e q u i r e d f o r Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. In

a d d i t i o n , u n l i k e t h e p r e v i o u s manned s p a c e c r a f t , t h e S h u t t l e
i s reusable.

W i t h i t s comparatively s h o r t turnaround t i m e it can

be r e f u r b i s h e d and ready f o r a n o t h e r journey i n t o space

w i t h i n t w o weeks a f t e r landing.

-more-

-.
-4-
 -5-

The Shuttle can quickly provide a vantage point in

space for observations of transient astronomical events or
of sudden weather, agricultural or environmental crises.
Information from Shuttle observations c o u l d contribute to
sound decisions for countries dealing with such problems.

The Shuttle is scheduled to carry a complete scientific

laboratory called. Spacelab into Earth orbit. Developed by
the European Space Agency ( E S A ) , Spacelab is similar to
earthbound laboratories but adapted to operate in zero
gravitv (weightlessness). It provides a shirtsleeve environ-
ment, suitable for working, eating an?. sleeping without the
encumberance of special clothing or space suits.

Spacelab provides facilities for as many as four

laboratory specialists to conduct expe'riments in such fields
as medicine, manufacturing, astronomy and pharmaceuticals.
Spacelab remains attached to the Shuttle orbiter throughout
a mission. Upon return to Earth, Spacelab is removed from
the orbiter and outfitted f o r its next assignment. It can
be reused about 59 times.

Spacelab personnel will be men and women of many nations,

experts in their fields and in reasonably good health. They
will require o n l v a few weeks of space flight training.
-more-

--
 -7-

P a r t i c i p a t i n g E S A n a t i o n s a r e Belgium, Denmark, F r a n c e ,

I t a l y , The N e t h e r l a n d s , S p a i n , S w i t z e r l a n d , United Kingdom,

A u s t r i a and t h e F e d e r a l Republic of Germany (West Germany).

S p a c e l a b i s an example of i n t e r n a t i o n a l s h a r i n g of s p a c e
costs and of worldwide i n t e r e s t i n t h e s t u d y of s c i e n c e i n
a s p a c e environment.

P r o j e c t s t h a t o n l y r e c e n t l y were c o n s i d e r e d i m p r a c t i c a b l e

become f e a s i b l e w i t h Space S h u t t l e . S h u t t l e can c a r r y i n t o

o r b i t t h e b u i l d i n g b l o c k s f o r l a r g e s o l a r power s t a t i o n s

t h a t would c o n v e r t t h e abundant s o l a r h e a t and s u n l i g h t of

s p a c e i n t o u n l i m i t e d s u p p l i e s of e l e c t r i c i t y f o r an energy-
hungry world. These b u i l d i n g b l o c k s would be assembled by

s p e c i a l i s t s , t r a n s p o r t e d and s u p p o r t e d i n s p a c e by S h u t t l e .

T h e S h u t t l e can a l s o c a r r y t h e b u i l d i n g b l o c k s f o r s e l f -

sustaining settlements i n t o Earth orbit. I n h a b i t a n t s of

these s e t t l e m e n t s c o u l d be employed i n such v i t a l occupa-

t i o n s as b u i l d i n g and m a i n t a i n i n q s o l a r power s t a t i o n s and

manufacture of d r u g s , metals, g l a s s for l e n s e s and e l e c t r o n i c

crystals. Manufacturing i n weiqhtless space c o u l d reduce

costs o f c e r t a i n d r u g s , create new a l l o y s , produce d r u g s and

l e n s e s of unusual p u r i t y and e n a b l e c r y s t a l s t o grow v e r y

large. Drugs, m e t a l s , g l a s s and e l e c t r o n i c c r y s t a l s w i l l

a l s o be manufactured d u r i n g S p a c e l a b m i s s i o n s , l o n g b e f o r e

e s t a b l i s h m e n t of any space s e t t l e m e n t .
-more-

-
 -9-

P r i n c i p a l Components of S h u t t l e

The Space S h u t t l e is m a d e up three r n a i n . u n i t s : the

two s o l i d r o c k e t b o o s t e r s , o r b i t e r and e x t e r n a l t a n k . Each

b o o s t e r r o c k e t h a s a sea l e v e l t h r u s t o f 1 1 . 6 m i l l i o n newtons
( 2 . 6 m i l l i o n pounds) .
The o r b i t e r i s t h e crew and payload c a r r y i n g u n i t of
t h e S h u t t l e system.
I t i s 37 m e t e r s ( 1 2 2 f e e t ) l o n g , has a
.(
wingspan of 2 4 m (78.f t . ) and weighs a b o u t 6 8 , 0 0 0 k i l o g r a m s
(150,000 pounds) w i t h o u t fuel. I t i s a b o u t t h e s i z e and

w e i g h t of a DC-9 commercial a i r t r a n s p o r t .

The o r b i t e r can t r a n s p o r t a p a y l o a d of 2 9 , 5 0 0 kg

(65,000 l b . ) into orbit. ( I t carries i t s cargo i n a caver-

nous payload bay 18.3 n ( 6 0 f t . ) loag and 4 . 6 m (15 f t . ) i n

diameter. T h e bay i s f l e x i b l e enough t o p r o v i d e accommoda-

t i o n s f o r unmanned s p a c e c r a f t i n a v a r i e t y of s h a p e s and f o r
f u l l y equipped s c i e n t i f i c l a b o r a t o r i e s .

The o r b i t e r ' s three main liquid rocket e n g i n e s each

have a t h r u s t of 2 . 1 m i l l i o n N ( 4 7 0 , 0 0 0 l b . ) . Thev a r e f e d
p r o p e l l a n t s from t h e e x t e r n a l t a n k which i s 47 m (154 f t . )

l o n g and 8 . 7 m (28.6 f t . ) i n d i a m e t e r .

-more-
-111-
 -11-

A t l i f t o f f , t h e t a n k h o l d s 7 0 3 , 0 0 0 kg ( 1 , 5 5 0 , 0 0 0 l b . )

of p r o p e l l a n t s , c o n s i s t i n g of l i q u i d hydrogen ( f u e l ) and

l i q u i d oxygen ( o x i d i z e r ) . The hydrogen and oxygen are i n

s e p a r a t e p r e s s u r i z e d compartments of t h e t a n k . The e x t e r n a l
t a n k i s t h e o n l y p a r t of t h e S h u t t l e system t h a t i s n o t

reusable.

T y p i c a l S h u t t l e Mission

I n a t y p i c a l S h u t t l e m i s s i o n which l a s t s f r o m seven t o

30 d a y s , t h e o r b i t e r ' s main e n g i n e s and t h e b o o s t e r i g n i t e

s i m u l t a n e o u s l y t o r o c k e t t h e S h u t t l e from t h e launch pad.

Launches are from t h e John F. Kennedy Space C e n t e r i n F l o r i d a
f o r east-west o r b i t s o r Vandenberg A i r Force Base, C a l i f . ,
f o r p o l a r or north-south o r b i t s .

A t a p r e d e t e r m i n e d p o i n t , t h e two unmanned s o l i d - r o c k e t

b o o s t e r s separate from t h e o r b i t e r and p a r a c h u t e t o t h e sea

where t h e y a r e r e c o v e r e d f o r r e u s e . The o r b i t e r continues

i n t o space. It j e t t i s o n s i t s e x t e r n a l propellant tank j u s t

before o r b i t i n g . The e x t e r n a l t a n k e n t e r s t h e atmosphere

and b r e a k s up o v e r a remote ocean area.

I n o r b i t , the o r b i t e r u s e s i t s o r b i t a l maneuvering sub-

system (OMS) t o a d j u s t i t s p a t h , f o r rendezvous o p e r a t i o n s ,
and, a t t h e end of i t s m i s s i o n , f o r slowing down so a s t o

head back toward E a r t h .

-more-
 -13-

OMS p r o p e l l a n t s are monomethyl hydrazine as t h e f u e l

and n i t r o g e n t e t r o x i d e as t h e o x i d i z e r . They i g n i t e on
c o n t a c t e l i m i n a t i n g t h e need f o r i g n i t i o n devices.

The o r b i t e r does n o t n e c e s s a r i l y f o l l o w a b a l l i s t i c
p a t h t o t h e ground as d i d p r e d e c e s s o r manned s p a c e c r a f t .
I t has a c r o s s r a n g e c a p a b i l i t y (can maneuver t o t h e r i g h t

o r l e f t of i t s e n t r y p a t h ) of about 2 , 0 3 5 k m ( 1 , 2 7 0 m i . ) .

The o r b i t e r touches down l i k e an a i r p l a n e on a runway

a t Kennedy Space Center o r Vandenberg A i r Force B a s e . Land-
i n g speed i s about 335 k m p e r hour ( 2 1 0 m i . p e r h o u r ) . A f t e r
approximately t w o weeks f o r r e f u r b i s h i n g , t h e S h u t t l e i s
ready f o r a n o t h e r space mission.

Crew

T h e S h u t t l e c r e w can i n c l u d e a s many a s seven people:

t h e commander, t h e p i l o t , t h e mission s p e c i a l i s t who i s

r e s p o n s i b l e f o r management of S h u t t l e equipment and r e s o u r c e s

s u p p o r t i n g payloads d u r i n g t h e f l i g h t and one t o f o u r payload
s p e c i a l i s t s who a r e i n charge of s p e c i f i c payload equipment.
The commander, p i l o t and mission s p e c i a l i s t are NASA a s t r o -

n a u t s and are a s s i g n e d by NASA. Payload s p e c i a l i s t s conduct

t h e experiments and may o r may n o t be a s t r o n a u t s . They a r e
nominated by t h e payload sponsor and c e r t i f i e d f o r f l i g h t
by NASA.
-more-
 -3.4-

S h u t t l e Management Team

NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space C e n t e r , Houston, Tex.,

manages t h e Space S h u t t l e program and i s a l s o r e s p o n s i b l e

!.
f o r development, p r o d u c t i o n and d e l i v e r y o f t h e o r b i t e r .
' i

NASA's George C. lilarshall Space F l i g h t C e n t e r , Hunts-

ville, Ala., i s r e s p o n s i b l e fox t h e development, p r o d u c t i o n

and delivery of t h e s o l i d rocket booster, the e x k e r n a l pro-

p e l l a n t t a n k and. o r b i t e r main e n g i n e s . T e s t f i r i n g s of

S h u t t l e e n g i n e s are c a r r i e d o u t a t V A S A ' S N a t i o n a l Space

Technology L a b o r a t o r i e s , Bay S t , L o u i s , Miss.

NASA's J o h n F . Rennedv Space C e n t e r , F l a . , Is respon-

s i b l e fqr d e s i g n and development of l a u n c h and r e c o v e r y

f a c i l i t i e s and f o r o p e r a t i o n a l m i s s i o n s r e u u i r i n g e a s t e r l y

launches.

Thousands qf companies make up t h e S h u t t l e c o n t r a c t o r

team. Thev a r e l o c a t e d i n n e a r l y e v e r y one of t h e IJnited

States.

-end.-

January 1977