STS-75 Mission Highlights
CREW:
- Andrew Allen (NASA)- Commander
Scott Horowitz (NASA) - Pilot
Jeff Hoffman (NASA) - Mission Specialist -1
Maurizio Cheli (ESA) - Mission Specialist - 2
Claude Nicollier (ESA) - Mission Specialist - 3
Franklin Chang-Diaz (NASA) - Payload Commander and Mission Specialist - 4
Umberto Guidoni (ASI) - Payload Specialist - 1
LAUNCH INFORMATION:
February 22, 1996
approximately 3:18 P.M. EST
Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39-B
predicted return: March 7 @ 7:32 A.M. EST
mission length - 13 days, 16 hours, 14 minutes
PAYLOAD INFORMATION:
Tethered Satellite System - The refight of this payload, designated TSS-1R, is important in helping scientists explore and understand the possible space applications of tether technology. Some of the applications that are being considered are listed below:
* use tethered systems to generate thrust to compensate for
atmospheric drag on orbiting platforms
such as the International Space Station
* deploy a tether towards Earth to place movable science platforms in hard-to-study atmospheric
zones
* tethers could be used as antennas to transmit extremely low frequency signals able to penetrate land
and sea water
* use of non-electrical tethers could result in the generation of artificial gravity and boosting of
payloads to higher orbits
Microgravity Payload - This payload, USMP-3, is part of ongoing research efforts in the development of new materials and processes that could begin a new generation of computers, electronics, and metals. Scientists are using this payload in order to be able to produce better semiconductors and other high-tech electronics and stronger metal alloys for automobiles and aircraft. The near-weightless environment available in space allows scientists to gain new, clearer perspectives on the laws of nature and removes the effect of gravity, which often overshadows or distorts measurable results.
