Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Truly, R. H..
Tail-cone-off tests of the Shuttle Orbiter during the approach and landing phase are described with attention to attack angle during descent. Angles of from 2.5 to 16.5 deg were attempted with varying speed brake configurations in order to analyze stability and control for runway landings.
A brief overview of the various Skylab systems is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on unique points of system design that were either new to space flight or had an effect on crew operations significantly different from that experienced during the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. A summary of the opinions and experience of the three Skylab flightcrews in using these Skylab-unique systems is given. The designs that the crews considered completely successful as compared to the preflight expectations and those designs that turned out to be unsuitable and that should be approached differently in future missions are discussed. Differences in crew opinions about the same system are noted where appropriate, and spacecraft lessons learned by the flightcrews are summarized.