![]() STS-67 became first advertised shuttle mission connected to the Internet. Also able to capitalize on opportunity to study three recently exploding novae. WUPPE also studied several types of stars, including Wolf-Rayet and Be stars. Targets for study of interstellar medium included dust clouds in Milky Way and nearby galaxy, Large Magellanic Cloud. WUPPE yielded a “treasure chest of data,” according to its principal investigator, greatly expanding database on ultraviolet spectropolarimetry. Investigators were disappointed upon developing UIT film to learn that one of its two cameras had malfunctioned undetected on orbit, but an initial assessment showed that 80 percent of science objectives still would be met. Also studied rare, hot stars that are 100 times as hot as sun elliptical galaxies and some of faintest galaxies in universe. UIT cameras imaged about two dozen large spiral galaxies for inclusion in atlas of such galaxies, and made first ultraviolet images of entire moon. HUT, in conjunction with Hubble telescope, took ultraviolet measurements of Jupiter’s aurora also studied Jupiter’s moon Io, and Venusian and Martian atmospheres. Investigators believed telescope collected enough data to meet its primary mission objective: detecting presence of intergalactic helium, telltale remnant of theoretical Big Bang explosion that began universe. HUT, considered complement to Hubble Space Telescope, completed more than 200 separate observations of more than 100 celestial objects. Besides being able to position orbiter most advantageously for observations, crew members also could manually acquire observation target if desired.Īstro-2 program aimed at exploring 23 different science programs, and all were achieved. Astro-2 demonstrated benefits of human interaction in on-orbit astronomy. Observational sequences planned on daily basis in two-orbit, or three-hour blocks, with one telescope assigned priority. Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT), sponsored by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, takes wide-field photographs of objects in ultraviolet light.Ĭrew began activating Astro-2 only hours after liftoff for around-the-clock observations. Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment (WUPPE), built at the University of Wisconsin, measures photometry and polarization of ultraviolet radiation from astronomical objects. ![]() Improvements made to HUT after Astro-1 made it three times more sensitive. Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT), developed at the Johns Hopkins University, performs spectroscopy in far ultraviolet region of spectrum to identify physical processes and chemical composition of a celestial object. Planned Astro-2 observations built on discoveries made by Astro-1, as well as seeking answers to other questions.Īstro-2 marked the second flight of three ultraviolet telescopes flown on Astro-1, mounted on Instrument Pointing System on Spacelab pallet in cargo bay. Primary payload, Astro Observatory, flown once before - on STS-35 in December 1990 - but second flight had almost twice the duration. Mission Duration: 16 days, 15 hours, 08 minutes, 48 secondsĮndeavour logged 6.9 million miles (11 million kilometers) in completing the longest shuttle flight to date, allowing sustained examination of the “hidden universe” of ultraviolet light. Landing Site: Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. ![]() Part of doing that means we have to go in and safe the major systems that have hazards," said long-time Discovery flow manager Stephanie Stilson.Launched: March 2, 1995. "We're currently in the process of decommissioning Discovery. NASA will outfit the ship with mocked up propulsion pieces to look "normal" in the museum display before she leaves Florida next year. Technicians are in the midst of a multi-month process of safing the Discovery's systems and readying the orbiter for the Smithsonian. NASA was moving the ship to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building to enter storage, opening up that hangar to receive Atlantis after the final space shuttle landing next week. Seeing the stripped down orbiter with a gaping hole in the nose was a harsh reminder that the spaceship's flying days are over. The space shuttle Discovery on Wednesday morning made her first public appearance outside the hangar since being retired, emerging without any main engines, nose thrusters or aft rocket pods. Discovery leaves hangar to make room for Atlantis ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |