July-August 1982:STS-1 mission report, part 2

Getting Organised

After getting a “GO" for on-orbit from Mission Control Center-Houston (MCC-H), astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen began turning their spacecraft into a home for the next two days. Their first order of business was to get out of the cumbersome Emergency Ejection Suits (EES’s). They put on lightweight blue flight coveralls, and began the task of shutting off many of the systems used to fly Columbia, while at the same time activating those which made it a habitable space dwelling.

While the astronauts were getting organised, engineers at MCC-H were studying a problem that had cropped up some 2 hours earlier. As the crew opened the Payload Bay Doors (PLBD’s), MCC-H received indications that one of Columbia’s three Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) recorders was stuck in the running position. The malfunctioning recorder was specifically known as the Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM) recorder. Its job was to record engineering data throughout the flight in one of three operating modes:

1. Continuous record - the continuous recording of data with the tape running constantly;

2. Hi-sample - a ten-second sample of data taken every five minutes with the recorder stopping automatically between data takes;

3. Lo-sample - identical to Hi-sample only the ten-second data samples were taken every ten minutes.

There were six hours of tape available, and to ensure that the PCM recorder had enough to cover the entire mission, it was planned to operate it in the Lo-sample mode for most of the flight. The problem was that the recorder was stuck in the Continuous record mode, and the only way to avoid using all the tape was to pull the DFI PCM circuit breaker and shut the recorder down altogether. Since then, 2 hours of valuable data had been lost.

MCC-H had a troubleshooting procedure prepared, and as Columbia came into contact with Hawaii at 16:26 on 12 April (all times are in GMT unless otherwise noted), capcom astronaut Daniel Brandenstein took the crew through it. It involved trying switches and circuit breakers in various combinations.

Meal Period

While passing over the Indian Ocean and Australia on the fourth orbit. Young and Crippen ate their first meal aboard Columbia. On the menu were frankfurters, turkey tetrazzini, freeze-dried bananas, a candy bar and apple drink. For this flight, Columbia was not equipped with the elaborate airliner-style galley it will have when it reaches operational status. Instead, Young and Crippen were provided with portable carry-on food warmers and surplus Skylab-type food. The astronauts were allotted three meals daily, each consisting of five or six foods and a drink or two. In addition, there were so-called “pantry" items, such as coffee, tea and snacks, which the men could have between meals if they wished.

After lunch, as Columbia began its fifth orbit, capcom astronaut Henry Hartsfield informed Young and Crippen that the DFI PCM recorder would not be used to collect data during the two upcoming Orbital Manoeuvering System (OMS) burns. The two burns, known as OMS-3 and OMS-4, would be used to raise Columbia’s orbit from its current 133.5x132 nautical miles (nm) to 150nm circular. The burns would be different from the first two OMS manoeuvres in that only one engine would be used for each. Normally, OMS burns are done by firing both engines together, but engineers wanted to see how well one engine would work by itself in the event of its twin becoming inoperable on a future flight.

The OMS-3 burn took place over the United States, with the right OMS engine igniting precisely on time at 18:20:48. The 25.7 foot per second (fps) manoeuvre changed Columbia's orbit to 148x131.7 nm. OMS-4, which would be done on the left engine, was due to take place halfway around the world from OMS-3, as the Orbiter flew over the Indian Ocean. The engine ignited at 19:05, increasing Columbia's velocity by 37.5 fps. The new orbit was a good one. Instead of the planned 150-nm circular path, the orbit was 149.3X147.6 nm. This was well within allowable tolerances.

RCS Jet Tests

Between 20:00 and 21:00, while Columbia was on its sixth orbit, Young and Crippen conducted an important test of the spacecraft's Reaction Control System (RCS). Using the 38 primary RCS thrusters and the six small vernier thrusters, the astronauts put the Orbiter into various attitudes in order to determine how well they could hold the attitude steady, and whether the jets consumed propellant at the predicted rates.

The 870 lbf primary RCS jets left a memorable impression on the astronauts. Whenever one of the thrusters fired, the men could see a 30 ft long plume of flame accompanied by a loud boom. They said later that it sounded like “muffled howitzers” firing just outside.

The RCS was remarkably efficient in attitude control, using 3 per cent less fuel than expected. The astronauts felt, however, that the racket from the primary RCS jets was so annoying that using them to hold attitude during sleep periods would make adequate rest nearly impossible. After the flight, Young and Crippen strongly recommended wider use of the more quiet verniers for attitude control, particularly during sleep periods.

Television Broadcast

During a nine minute pass over the United States on orbit 7, the astronauts transmitted more television from orbit, this time featuring views of themselves inside Columbia. At 21:22, when the picture flashed onto the screens in MCC-H, Young was seen in his seat on the flight deck giving a brief account of his ship’s performance:

“Okay, the flight so far has gone as smooth as it can possibly go. We’ve done every test that we’re supposed to do, and we’re up on the timeline, and the vehicle is iust performing beautifully, much better than anyone ever expected it to do on a first flight, and no systems are out of shape ... the vehicle is just performing like a champ. Real beautiful.”

The view then shifted from the forward flight deck camera to the aft camera, giving a picture of Crippen floating weightlessly up near the ceiling. The rookie space traveller said that he “had a thrill from the moment of liftoff all the way up to what we are doing now,” and that “it has really been super.”

After the telecast ended, capcom Hartsfield asked the men about mobility in the Orbiter in zero-G..Crippen said that it was much easier to get from the flight deck to the middeck than in the Shuttle Mission Simulator (SMS). "I can dash down there and back real quick,” he said.

From the television show and the enthusiasm of their comments throughout the day, it appeared that Young and Crippen were thoroughly pleased with Columbia and that they themselves were having a good time.

First Sleep Period

According to the flight plan, the astronauts were due to start their first sleep period in space at 01:00 on 13 April. During the 7 hours and 50 minutes allotted for sleep, the men were to be strapped into their ejection seats on the flight deck. Since Columbia was a very noisy vehicle, Young and Crippen had acoustic blankets that they put on the floor to deaden the racket. They also had ear plugs that they could use if they wanted, although at least one of them was required to sleep with a communications headset on.

The astronauts found it difficult to get to sleep. They had been awake for over 18 hours, but their excitement was still high. The men spent some time relaxing by looking outt)f the windows, the first real opportunity they had had to do so. They had been so busy earlier that they had only caught fleeting glimpses of the spectacular sights outside. Eventually they turned out the lights, put up the window covers and tried to get some rest.. It was not easy. Young estimated that he slept for only three or four hours and Crippen did only slightly better.

Second Day in Orbit

The astronauts received the first call of their first complete day in orbit at 08:43 while over Quito, Ecuador. Capcom Dan Brandenstein played some rousing wakeup music; a country/western tune called “Blastoff Columbia!” which had been supplied by astronaut Dick Truly and Flight Operations Director George Abbey. Young and Crippen reported that the cabin had chilled down considerably during the night. Crippen said at one point that he was nearly “ready to break out the long undies.”

For much of the morning of their second day in space, the astronauts performed an extensive series of tests of their RCS thrusters. These were much like the attitude control tests of the day before. This time, however, the translational capability of the jets was being checked out. All told, there were five major burns of the primary RCS thrusters over a little more than seven hours. Interspersed with the tests were other activities, one of which was a gravity gradient drift exercise to examine how well Columbia could hold a steady attitude without using the RCS.

The gravity gradient exercise itself was fairly simple. At about 10:30, Young manoeuvred Columbia into a nose-down attitude using the RCS, and then left it there for just over three hours. During that time, there were no RCS firings to hold the craft steady. The astronauts were surprised at how well the scheme worked; Columbia kept remarkably stable. This type of gravity-assisted attitude hold is being investigated as a possible means of keeping Orbiters stable on future long-duration missions in which RCS propellant would have to be conserved.

As Columbia drifted effortlessly around the world, Young and Crippen took time off for breakfast and some banter with capcom astronaut Joe Allen.

Flight Control System Checkout

After breakfast, the astronauts conducted a check-out of their Flight Control System (FCS). The purpose of this was to test the operation of the aerodynamic control surfaces on the Orbiter and the associated avionics in the cockpit. Live television of the two men on the flight deck during the test was also planned as Columbia came across the United States on orbit 17.

The TV picture appeared on the screens in MCC-H at 12:00, exactly 24 hours into the mission. Young was visible in his seat in the cockpit, wearing his half-frame reading glasses, and writing in his flight plan. Notebooks, seat belts and communications cables were floating everywhere, giving an unearthly quality to the scene. Before the broadcast ended, the Orbiter flew right over the Kennedy Space Centre where it had started its mission one day before: The astronauts were able to see the centre easily and they quickly spotted the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and the 15,000 ft Shuttle runway.

At 12:14, as Columbia came within range of the Madrid tracking site, there was more television, this time showing the Earth. The spacecraft’s nose-down attitude provided an excellent view out of the forward windows. The astronauts had turned off all of the cockpit lights and aimed the camera outside. The view was spectacular, with the blue and white Earth framed by the dark outlines of the windows.

PLBD Closing

After Columbia came out of her gravity gradient drift, Young and Crippen continued with the RCS translation tests and other tasks. One of their assignments was to close the Payload Bay Doors, an important exercise. The doors had not been closed since they were opened over 24 hours before and engineers were anxious to see whether they would line up properly and close tightly after being open that long. There were fears that the doors could warp if left open for lengthy periods. The doors closed as easily this time as they had in the tests the day before. The flight plan called for them to remain closed for just under two hours before being opened again.

The astronauts were rapidly acquiring the knack of working aboard Columbia in weightlessness. Having so much room was not only new to space "rookie” Crippen, but also to veteran John Young. Although he had over 22 days of spaceflight time logged before this mission, the cramped confines of Gemini and Apollo had not allowed him anything like the roominess provided by the Shuttle Orbiter. The astronauts could easily turn weightless somersaults in the middeck area and they were able to effortlessly push off one wall and glide smoothly across the room to another.

“I’ll tell you,” Crippen told MCC-H at 15:40 while over Africa, "it’s going to be tough to go back to work in the SMS (Shuttle Mission Simulator) one-g trainer after finding out how really easy it is to move around in this vehicle.”

“I think you may be spoiled now,” capcom Joe Allen said.

“You got it,” Crippen shot back.

Vice-Presidential Chat

As Columbia arced across the Pacific Ocean at the start of its 21st orbit, the astronauts had lunch. Their meal included corned beef sandwiches, and Young received some of the expected good-natured ribbing from Allen and Crippen. They finished their meal quickly since, during the next pass across the United States, they were scheduled to have a televised chat with the Vice-President of the United States, George Bush. When Columbia came within range at 18:04, the TV camera was on, providing a picture of Young and Crippen floating around down in the middeck.

“John and Crip,” Allen told them, “we have a telephone call coming into the space network from the White House for the crew members of the spaceship Columbia ... if you would please, Mr. Vice-President, go ahead.”

After opening greetings, Bush told the astronauts that their flight “is just going to ignite the excitement and the forward thinking for this country.” He closed by telling the men that “we’ll all be watching that reentry and landing with great interest.”

The astronauts thanked the Vice-President for his good wishes, and then Joe Allen came back on the line. The incredibly clear views of Young and Crippen floating around doing acrobatics in the middeck prompted Allen to ask, “Crip, all of us very much rookies down here are wondering how you are enjoying zero-gravity flight. You look like you’re enjoying it.”

EES Donning

The next item on the flight plan called for the astronauts to put on their Emergency Ejection Suits and climb into their ejection seats in a rehearsal for the reentry and landing. Young got suited first. He strapped himself into his seat, performed a communications check, then got out of the seat and the suit. Crippen then followed the same procedure, except that MCC-H had added a short procedure that they wanted him to try before he left his seat. It involved the troublesome PCM recorder, which was still not operating.

By this time, engineers at MCC-H had pretty well given up hope of getting the recorder to operate during the on-orbit phase of the mission. However, they still desperately wanted to have it running during reentry. It had been planned all along to run the recorder in the Continuous record mode during the descent, so the fact that it was stuck in that mode posed no problem. What had to be solved was how to turn it on.

The controls were located within easy reach of both pilots between the ejection seats. As mentioned previously, however, the controls had been ineffective in stopping the recorder, so it had to be deactivated at its circuit breaker. That circuit breaker was located behind Crippen's seat and to his right. Just before deorbit, when the recorder would have to be turned on, both astronauts would be suited up and strapped in; the breaker would be out of reach. Crippen’s backup pilot, astronaut Dick Truly, had spent much of the previous afternoon in the Shuttle Mission Simulator studying the problem and various ways of overcoming it. He finally came up with using a “swizzle stick” reach extender that the astronauts had on board to push the breaker in from Crippen’s seat. He was able to do it quite easily, but he was in shirtsleeves at the time. MCC-H wanted Crippen to try it in his EES, which was expected to be more difficult. Crippen gave it a try, but he reported that it was “extremely difficult” to do it in the suit. He was barely able to lay the end of the stick on the breaker, but there appeared to be no way he could put enough pressure on it to push the breaker in. He tried several times, but with the same result. It did not look like the "swizzle stick trick” was going to work.

Recorder Change

After the astronauts got out of their suits, Columbia flew for almost the entire 22nd orbit without any contact with a ground station. During this lapse of over an hour and a quarter, Johnson Space Center management and engineers met to decide what to do about the DFI PCM recorder; acquiring data during reentry was vitally important. Since it now appeared that the astronauts had exhausted all other means of getting the malfunctioning recorder to operate properly, the engineers came up with a bolder plan: replacement of the recorder itself. The crew did have a spare recorder and the proper tools on board with them.

At 21:17, when Columbia came back into contact over the US west coast on the 23rd orbit, capcom Henry Hartsfield informed the astronauts of the new plans. He said that the change would take about 90 minutes and that, to accommodate it, some low-priority items would be deleted from the flight plan. To get to the recorder, the astronauts had to remove two floor panels from the middeck. Each panel was secured by 12 tightly torqued screws and this proved to be the main source of difficulty. It was difficult to get enough leverage in zero-g to turn the screws.

When Columbia came up on Hawaii at 22:45, Young and Crippen had the television camera running, giving MCC-H a picture of them hard at work trying to remove the panels. “Okay,Hank,” Crippen said, “we’ve got a small problem, or a big problem, depending on how bad you want DFI.”

‘Okay, go ahead,” Hartsfield said.

Crippen then gave the details: “Well, both John and I have been working pretty solid since the last time 1 talked to you and we don’t have out half the fasteners yet, and I’m afraid I’m just not going to be able to get them ... They’re just torqued in there so darn hard that we just can’t get enough leverage to break them. I’m not even sure if I was in one-g I could break them. I’m just not sure this is going to be productive because we are going to end up spending at least four or five hours trying to do it.”

After a quick discussion in MCC-H, flight director Chuck Lewis instructed Hartsfield to have Young and Crippen abandon the effort. It had been a noble try, but some other means had to be found to get the existing recorder to operate properly.

The remainder of the evening was very quiet. The astronauts had supper, performed some housekeeping jobs and prepared to turn in for the night.

At 00:46 on 14 April, Columbia came within range of the Santiago (Chile) tracking station. This was the last scheduled communications pass of the day, and would also be the last one of the flight for the “Bronze” flight control team. They were not scheduled to come back on duty again before the landing.

"On behalf of the Bronze team,” Hartsfield said, “it’s sure been a pleasure working with you troops. You’ve done a super job, we think it’s been a tremendous effort on your part and we all look forward to seeing you (back in'Houston) tomorrow. In fact, we’re excited about it, as we understand you’re buying.”

“Well, you may be right,” Crippen said, “and we’re sure sorry we couldn’t fix that recorder for those guys. We’ll be willing to consider not strapping all the way in (during reentry), and doing something like that if we can help them.”

The final goodnight call to the crew came at 00:52 as the Columbia moved out of range of Santiago. Young and Crippen had had a busy second day in flight, and they would need a good night’s rest for the even more demanding final day ahead.