Location

Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel, Columbia/ Enterprise Rooms

Start Date

28-4-1993 2:00 PM

End Date

28-4-1993 5:30 PM

Description

This paper describes the history of the TDRS and STS relationship, the unique considerations which were required of the TDRS Program, and the design drivers which were imposed on the TDRS as the program matured and subsequently as the STS was re-evaluated as a consequence of the Challenger accident. The in-advance preparations and coordination is detailed as are the pre-launch and launch activities required to fly on an Orbiter. The advantages as well as disadvantages of flying on a manned launch vehicle are detailed, and the paper ends with advice and recommendations based on lessons learned. It is hoped that this paper will give some insight into how yesterday's vision of a reusable launch vehicle evolved into today's operational launch system, and how yesterday's vision of a space-based Tracking and Data Relay System has replaced the Ground Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (GSTDN) Stations, providing markedly improved data rates and orbital coverage for today's users including the STS.

Comments

Past and Future Payloads

Session Chairman: JoAnn H. Morgan, Director, Payloads Projects Management, NASA, Kennedy Space Center

Session Organizer: Shirley Green, Payload Support Office, NASA, Kennedy Space Center

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Apr 28th, 2:00 PM Apr 28th, 5:30 PM

Paper Session II-B - The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System

Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel, Columbia/ Enterprise Rooms

This paper describes the history of the TDRS and STS relationship, the unique considerations which were required of the TDRS Program, and the design drivers which were imposed on the TDRS as the program matured and subsequently as the STS was re-evaluated as a consequence of the Challenger accident. The in-advance preparations and coordination is detailed as are the pre-launch and launch activities required to fly on an Orbiter. The advantages as well as disadvantages of flying on a manned launch vehicle are detailed, and the paper ends with advice and recommendations based on lessons learned. It is hoped that this paper will give some insight into how yesterday's vision of a reusable launch vehicle evolved into today's operational launch system, and how yesterday's vision of a space-based Tracking and Data Relay System has replaced the Ground Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (GSTDN) Stations, providing markedly improved data rates and orbital coverage for today's users including the STS.

 

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