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The results of a study to analyze data and document dynamic program highlights of the Skylab Program are presented. Included are structural model sources, illustration of the analytical models, utilization of models and the resultant derived data, data supplied to organization and subsequent utilization, and specifications of model cycles.
A visual observations project was established as part of the Skylab experimental program in order to optimize the collection of scientific data during the 84-day Skylab 4 mission. One objective of this project was the determination of the capabilities of the crewmen in the visual identification of various types of surface, air, and water phenomena of the earth which may be observed from the Skylab orbit. Another objective was a study of the possibilities provided by visual observations, supplemented by photographs, in the support of scientific investigations. Aspects of premission preparations are considered along with details concerning the equipment to be used and questions of mission operations. The results of the project show that the presence of man in an earth-observations program contributes a significant additional capability which is not available with a totally automated program.
The complexity of the Skylab Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) experiment operations necessitated the use of high fidelity simulations of the onboard visual displays and pointing system for crew training. The displays which were simulated included the H-alpha displays, XUV monitor display, XUV/slit/white light display, X-ray image display, and the white light coronagraph display. The pointing simulation was achieved by projecting film sequences which were subsequently viewed by TV cameras. An optical system in front of the vidicons simulated the pointing, roll, and zoom capabilities of the ATM and sensing systems. The simulation enabled the Skylab crewmen to obtain valuable integrated training combining such tasks as target recognition and status assessment, complex and the time dependent pointing operations, malfunction analyses, and rapid responses to flare and other transient events.
The Skylab medical experiments altitude test plan is outlined. Described are the scope and objectives of the program, the management system under which it would be conducted, requirements for configuration of the test facility, test control documentation, data processing, and detailed test objectives.
The efforts and results are summarized for a study to establish requirements for a flight programming language for future onboard computer applications. Several different languages were available as potential candidates for future NASA flight programming efforts. The study centered around an evaluation of the four most pertinent existing aerospace languages. Evaluation criteria were established, and selected kernels from the current Saturn 5 and Skylab flight programs were used as benchmark problems for sample coding. An independent review of the language specifications incorporated anticipated future programming requirements into the evaluation. A set of detailed language requirements was synthesized from these activities. The details of program language requirements and of the language evaluations are described.
Government-sponsored study and development efforts were directed toward design and implementation of high level programming languages suitable for future aerospace applications. The study centered around an evaluation of the four most pertinent existing aerospace languages. Evaluation criteria were established, and selected kernels from the current Saturn 5 and Skylab flight programs were used as benchmark problems for sample coding. An independent review of the language specifications incorporated anticipated future programming requirements into the evaluation. A set of language requirements was synthesized from these activities.
The Skylab food program was a major effort involving a complex spectrum of activities necessary for the preparation of a crew feeding system. Approximately 17,000 individual food packages and support items, weighing more than 1225 kg, were launched into space as a single unit on board the orbital workshop. This unit provided the three (three-man) Skylab crews with nourishing foods and beverages for a total of 156 days, as well as with eating utensils and accessory items. Additionally, provisions for 5 days (15 man-days) were provided in each of the three command and service modules in a manner similar to that of the Apollo flights. The Skylab food system not only provided the crew with a palatable balanced diet in a familiar and acceptable manner but also supported the formidable mineral balance medical experiment series (M070).
An overview of the Skylab medical program is given. All medical subsystems provided in the orbital workshop functioned satisfactorily. Major systems included the food system, the waste management system, and provisions per personal hygiene. A series of lockers in the wardroom was used to stow the inflight medical support system. Cardiovascular counter pressure garments were launched in the orbital workshop for all three crews. Life services experiments were carried out. Two experiments were conducted in the Skylab missions to study the performance of the cardiovascular system during weightless flight and return to earth and the one g environment. A series of experiments was conducted to study mineral balance and the bioassay of body fluids.
NASA is contemplating the next logical step in the U.S. space program - the permanent presence of humans in space. As currently envisioned, the initial system, planned for the early 1990's, will consist of manned and unmanned platforms situated primarily in low Earth orbit. The manned component will most likely be inhabited by 6-8 crew members performing a variety of tasks such as materials processing, satellite servicing, and life science experiments. The station thus has utility in scientific and commercial enterprises, in national security, and in the development of advanced space technology. The technical foundations for this next step have been firmly established as a result of unmanned spacecraft missions to other planets, the Apollo program, and Skylab. With the shuttle, NASA inaugurates a new era of frequent flights and more routine space operations supporting a larger variety of missions. A permanently manned space system will enable NASA to expand the scope of its activities still further. Since NASA' s inception there has been an intense debate over the relative merits of manned and unmanned space systems. Despite the generally higher costs associated with manned components, astronauts have accomplished numerous essential, complex tasks in space. The unique human talent to evaluate and respond inventively to unanticipated events has been crucial in many missions, and the presence of crews has helped arouse and sustain public interest in the space program. On the other hand, the hostile orbital environment affects astronaut physiology and productivity, is dangerous, and mandates extensive support systems. Safety and cost factors require the entire station complex, both space and ground components, to be highly automated to free people from mundane operational chores. Recent advances in computer technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics have the potential to greatly extend space station operations, offering lower costs and superior productivity. Extended operations can in turn enhance critical technologies and contribute to the competitive economic abilities of the United States. A high degree of automation and autonomy may be required to reduce dependence on ground systems, reduce mission costs, diminish complexity as perceived by the crew, increase mission lifetime and expand mission versatility. However, technologies dealing with heavily automated, long duration habitable spacecraft have not yet been thoroughly investigated by NASA. A highly automated station must amalgamate the diverse capabilities of people, machines, and computers to yield an efficient system which capitalizes on unique human characteristics. The station also must have an initial design which allows evolution to a larger and more sophisticated space presence. In the early years it is likely that AI-based subsystems will be used primarily in an advisory or planning capacity. As human confidence in automated systems grows and as technology advances, machines will take on more critical and interdependent roles. The question is whether, and how much, system autonomy will lead to improved station effectiveness.
A list of the facilities and environmental measurements to be monitored in support of the Skylab 2 vehicle is presented. The data include measurement identification number, description, transducer operating range, recorder type, and drawings illustrating measurement location.
A dampometer was designed and fabricated for measuring the amount of damping in the wind tunnel test model. The ground winds data reduction system (GWDRS) was taken to Langley Research Center in support of wind tunnel tests on the Skylab 2 program. Final data reduction of the test results was accomplished by the GWDRS.
Description of the four-year development of Skylab analytical programs, mathematical model complexity, and vibration and load analyses associated with the docking/latching maneuver. Examples are shown where coarse models produced loads in excess of structural capability. However, subsequent model refinement lowered the loads to the point where redesign was not required. A summary of experience gained over a four-year period is presented in the conclusions.
The paper deals with the crew's observations during training and the SMEAT 56-day test. Topics covered include the crew's adaptation to the SMEAT environment and medical experiments protocol. Personal observations are made of daily activities surrounding the medical experiments hardware, Skylab clothing, supplementary activities, recreational equipment, food, and waste management. An assessment of these items and their contributions to the Skylab flight program is made.
Passing inside the earth's orbit in late November, the comet Kohoutek will travel through the inner solar system during a unique period in the history of the space program, when Skylab and Mariner Venus-Mercury are in operation and the new C-141 Airborne Infrared Observatory is ready for flight. It is planned to investigate comprehensively the nature and evolution of the coma and tails of the comet. The detailed goals of the investigation include the identification of the parent molecules of the gases observed in comets, the determination of the processes that break down the parent molecules, the study of the physical nature of transient events in the comet, and the measurement of the solar-wind velocity in the inner solar system.
Remote sensing from space platforms is discussed as another tool available to geologists. The results of Nimbus observations, the ERTS program, and Skylab EREP are reviewed, and a multidisciplinary approach is recommended for meeting the challenges of remote sensing.
There are no author-identified significant results in this report.
There are no author-identified signficant results in this report.
An atmosphere control subsystem (ACS) was developed for NASA-IBJSC which is designed to measure the major atmospheric constituents in the manned cabin of the space shuttle orbiter and control the addition of oxygen and nitrogen to maintain the partial pressures of these gases within very close limits. The ACS includes a mass spectrometer sensor (MSS) which analyzes the atmosphere of a shuttle vehicle pressurized cabin, and an electronic control assembly (ECA). The MSS was built and tested to meet the requirements for flight equipment for the M-171 Metabolic Analyzer experiment for the Skylab flight program. The instrument analyzes an atmospheric gas sample and produces continuous 0-5 vdc analog signals proportional to the partial pressures of H2, O2, N2, H2O, CO2 and total hydrocarbons having a m/e ratio between 50 and 120. It accepts signals from the MSS proportional to the partial pressures of N2 and O2 and controls the supply of these gases to the closed cabin.