Shuttle: The Space Flight Simulator manual
- Shuttle: The Space Flight Simulator
- manual
Virgin/Vektor Grafix "Space Shuttle -The Simulator" Manual (1991)
--------------------
BACKGROUND
developed by The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA, the Space Shuttle is the world's first re-usable spacecraft
designed to be launched in an upright position. transport cargo into
near Earth Orbit [100 to 217 nautical miles] and return to Earth
landing safely on a runway just like a conventional aircraft.
At launch thrust is provided by the two Solid Rocket Boosters [SRBs]
rid the three Space Shuttle Main Engines [SSMEs]. After about two
minutes, the SRBs separate from the External Tank [ET] and fall
into the ocean to he recovered by specialist rescue teams. After about
eight minutes [MECO] occurs and moments afterwards, the ET is
also separated. thereafter falling into the ocean. In addition to the
main engines there are two Orbital Maneuvering System engines
OMS I which give the Orbiter the final "kick" into orbit. The OMS is
used to instigate major maneuvers while in orbit and also to perform
the de-orbit burn" which slows the Shuttle for re-entry. There is also
a complex Reaction Control System [RCS]. used to control the pitch,
yaw and roll of the vehicle outside the atmosphere. On re-entry, the
RCS is phased out in favor of the conventional elevon and rudder
controls, as the Orbiter glides down to a safe landing.
There are two main launch sites: The Kennedy Space Center in
Florida and Vandenburg Air Force Base in California. There are
landing sites at both of these launch sites, as well as at Edwards Air
Force Base. California and White Sands, New Mexico. And, if the
worst comes to the worst, there are emergency landing sites in
numerous locations around the world including Spain and Africa.
1
LOADING SPACE SHUTTLE-
THE SIMULATOR
IBM Version
Insert Disk 1 into Drive A:
Type INSTALL then follow the prompts to copy the all the necessary
files to the hard drive. Be sure to select the correct graphics mode,
and sound supports during this procedure.
If you find difficulties while installing be sure that you have approxi-
mately 1.4 megabytes of free space on your hard drive and at least
530k of free base memory. If you are still having difficulties contact
Virgin Games technical service and we will be happy to help get you
up and running.
Amiga Version:
Please see the appropriate installation card for the Amiga version.
Atari ST Version:
Please see the appropriate installation card for the Atari ST version.
2
Using the Simulator
INTRODUCTION
(1)QuickStart
This section is intended to show you how to get into the
product quickly so you can have a look around SPACE
SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR without having to go
through all the set-up procedures. This isn't intended to be a
tutorial in any way and should be used as a first look at the
product.
(2)Getting Started
This section is intended to familiarize you with the product
and the many different control methods used to operate
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR. Due to the complex-
ity of this product, we feel that it is essential that you read
this section before getting into the game proper, certainly
before attempting any of the main missions. After reading
Getting Started, you should be able to find your way around
without having to constantly refer to the manual or reference
cards.
(3)Reference
In this section you'll find all the information necessary to gain
an in-depth understanding of the operations of the Orbiter. It
is intended to be used at those times when you feel confused
or don't quite understand what Mission Control is asking you
to do.
(4)Mission Procedures
In this section you'll find a detailed breakdown of every major
action the crew of the Orbiter is required to take during
Launch, Orbit, Re-entry and Landing, giving times, heights,
switches and so on. In SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULA-
TOR, not all of these procedures are followed; it is possible to
fly the Orbiter on Manual using the Manual Launch, Manual
Re-entry and Manual Landing procedures outlined in this
section.
(5)Mission Profiles*
In this section you'll find a detailed history of the Space
Shuttle's missions, from the first test flight to the last, tragic
flight of Challenger.
*omitted from this file
1. Quick Start Guide
1.Screens, Switches and
Dials - User Interface
WINDOWS
To interface with any windows
and/or boxes that appear
during the game, for instance
the Log Save window, simply
move the pointer to the re-
quired part of the window and
click the left button.
To change any data in these
boxes, simply position your cursor in the relevant box. for instance
the User Name box and overwrite it. To move the cursor to a specific
point in this box use the cursor keys, or, if you wish to erase the
current information, use Backspace. However. holding the cursor
keys or Backspace key down will not make the cursor move across the
box- you have to press it repeatedly to do this.
MOUSE CONTROL
Once in the simulator, you can scroll around your chosen panels
simply by moving the mouse: when the pointer comes to the edge of
the screen. the screen will scroll in that direction.
to move the switches either up or down. or from left to right. click the
left mouse button for up, or left. and the right mouse button for down,
or move the mouse to the right. Where a switch has more than two
settings, continue to click the button in the required direction.
clicking the left and right mouse buttons simultaneously brings up
the menu bar. while clicking them again removes it.
finally, when in the Panel Overview. clicking the right
mouse button scroll you around the different views, while the left
button selects the one youre currently on.
KEYBOARD CONTROL
To move around the screens, press E to scroll Down, X to scroll up,
S to scroll right and D to scroll left
.
for those running SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR on a PC
without a mouse, the above mouse controls can be emulated by the
keyboard as follows: to operate the switches, use the Shift and Home
keys together to simulate the left mouse button, and Shift and Pg Up
for the right button. Using Shift together with the keypad cursor keys
[2 4 6 8] emulates the pointer movement. Thus all mouse functions
described above can be emulated by using these keys.
GAME RUNNING ICON
This ppears whenever you're running the simulator, and denotes
that its in progress. Occasionally other symbols will flash inside this
icon:
/ - Time running
M - Message on teleprinter from ground
control - press F7 to read
S - Time Skip facility is in operation.
T - Time Advance facility is in operation.
When you pause the game. whichever of these symbols is on the
screen at the time will flash.
For full details of these facilities see their respective sections.
How to Quick Start
throughout the following quick start guide, references are made to a
number of menus and windows: this guide is intended for those
people who wish to get up into space as quickly as possible, without
messing around with manuals. Full documentation of the various
menus, in fact the user interface as a whole, is given later in the
Manual.
To get up into space, it is recommended that you first familiarize
yourself with the basic layout of SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULA-
TOR and with the essential controls outlined in the Key Control
section on page 7. You can quick start without doing so, but it should
make the experience more enjoyable. However, to go straight into
launch and watch the Shuttle go into orbit: the quickest way to do
this is to use the RUNNING DEMO, available under the MAIN
MENU, ORBITER menu. For more details of this demo mode, see
RUNNING DEMO in the MAINN MENU section below.
Once you've seen enough of the demo. you can quit back to the open-
ing screens by pressing ESC. which will take you back to the MAIN
MENU
IF you want to have some control over events, however, you have to go
to the first mission, which is the test flight from the 747 [see MIS-
SIONS, below].
Now select NEXT MISSION from the MISSIONS menu, and you'll
see the text for the first mission. Select ACCEPT, if you want to
accept it, and you'll find yourself already in the air, watching the 747,
with the Shuttle on top, just before separation. From here on in you
have to glide the Orbiter down to a safe landing. Once this mission is
successfully completed, you'll be able to select the next mission,
TEST LAUNCH KENNEDY, which will allow you to go through the
whole launch procedure.
Before starting the mission, go back to the Game Set Up option, select
Start Position, then select Launch Pad, then click DONE, and you're
ready to start the mission. Select NEXT MISSION from the MAIN
MENU, skip past the mission text as before, and you'll find yourself
looking at the Orbiter sitting on the launch pad.
Now you have two options:
1] sit and wait while it goes through the proper pre-launch count-
down, which takes five hours;
2] simply set the SKIP facility [within the WINDOWS menu option -
this can also be done with the ORBITER menu within the MAIN
MENU to a time just before launch, i.e., T-30 seconds, then select
TIME SKIP from the ACTIONS menu. Next select SKIP within the
ACTIONS MENU, and it will take you to the required point. This
will take time, of course, but the view is worth the wait. The Orbiter
is now about to launch - the rest is up to you. For more details of the
Time Skip feature, see TIME SKIP, below.
KEY CONTROLS
Normal keys (without SHIFT, CTRL or ALT)
CURSOR UP Pitch down
CURSOR DWN Pitch up
CURSOR LFT Roll left
CURSOR RT Roll right
' Yaw left
. Yaw right
E Move up across panel
X Move down across panel
S Move left across panel
D Move right across panel
F Use front RHC
A Use aft RHC
P Pause the game
T Time advance the game
-/= Speed Brake throttle control
[] Move selected joint
RETURN Grab payload using RMS
DELETE Release grabbed payload
SPACE Moves around panels in PANEL OVERVIEW
Keys with SHIFT held down.
Home Left mouse button
Pg Up Right mouse button
CUR UP Move pointer up
CUR DOWN Move pointer down
CUR LEFT Move pointer left
CUR RIGHT Move pointer right
Keys with ALT held down.
P Toggle ~Game running" icon ON/OFF
[] Slow movement of RMS joint @ 0.2
CUR UP -z translate SHUTTLE
CUR DWN +Z translate SHUTTLE
CUR LFT -Y translate SHUTTLE
CUR RT +Y translate SHUTTLF
+ +X translate SHUTTLE
- -X translate SHUTTLE
Keys used on the numeric keypad.
+/- Scroll through display on Aft CRT
Home Camera Roll left
End Camera Roll right
Pg Up Camera Pitch up
Pg Dn Camera Pitch down
Ins Camera Yaw left
Del Camera Yaw right
CONTROL key sequences
Control C + Y Turn the cursor on
C + N Turn the cursor off
Control F + Y Turn sound on
F + N Turn sound off
Control G + A Arm landing gear
G + D Drop landing gear
Control H + 1 Full-on Auto
H + 2 First Simulation
H + 3 First Command
H + 4 Veteran
H + 5 Fully Manual
H + 0 Automatic selection
Control j + 1 Select Shoulder Yaw
J + 2 Select Shoulder Pitch
j + 3 Select Elbow Pitch
J + 4 Select Wrist Pitch
J + 5 Select Wrist Yaw
J + 6 Select Wrist Roll
Control L + S Save log file
Control P + F Goto Front panel
P + A Goto Aft panel
P + C Goto center panel
P + L Goto left panel
P + R Goto right panel
P + O Goto overhead panel
P + M Goto right-aft panel
P + N Goto lower-aft panel
P + H Slow down panel movement
use up to 3 times)
P J Speed up panel movement
Control Q + Y Quit to main menu
Q + N Return to simulator
Q + D Return to DOS not [Amiga/ST]
Control S + T Start Time Skip
S + P Start Time Skip and pause
when finished
S + C Turn off Comms.
Control T + T Time advance
T + P Time advance and pause
Control W + T Open Time Advance window
W + S Open Time Skip window
W + D Open Time Of Day window
W + M Open MET window
W + C Open Detail Complexity window
W + G Open Ground View window
W + H Open Help Level window
+ L Open Log Options window
FUNCTION keys.
No shift/ctrl/alt SHIFT+ ALT +
------------------------------------------------------------------
f1 Last panel Select Panel
f2 LeftHUD RightHUD
f3 Left window Right Window
f4 Left AFT Right AFT
f5 Left Payload Bay Right Payload Bay
f6 Inside MMU Release MMU Attach MIMU
f7 Mission Control text External Tank View
f8 Ground View Sel Ground View Roaming MMU view
f9 CCTV View Crawler View 747 View
fl0 Roaming Camera Left SRB Camera Right SRB view
MMU KEYS
ROTATION
U Pitch up
N Pitch down
H Roll left
J Roll right
B Yaw left
M Yaw right
Translation
ALT + U -z Translate
ALT + N +Z Translate
ALT + H -Y Translate
ALT + J +Y Translate
ALT + B -X Translate
ALT + M +X Translate
2. Getting Started
MAIN MENU
SPACE SHUTTLE -
THE SIMULATOR is
controlled by two menu
menu systems the MAIN
MENU for all applica-
tions prior to launch,
and the SIMULATOR
MENU for all in-flight
operations. For the
latter see later. Both
menu bars appear at
the top of the screen.
The MAIN MENU
contains information that will be useful in familiarizing you with the
Space Shuttle and its systemsm and to help you choose the level of
customizing you require. as well as Launch and Landing sites and the
mission details.
1. ORBITER
This first menu option contains four further sub-options:
1. ABOUT SPACE SHUTTLE
-gives the publishing and development credits for SPACE
SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR.
2. RUNNING DEMO
This takes you straight to the launch pad. where you're taken
through a typical mission that demonstrates the many different
functions and aspects of SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR. In
this demo, you'll see the Orbiter launch into orbit and deploy a
satellite. This demo lasts for approximately fifteen minutes and
allows you just to sit back and watch.
To access this demo first load up the game as detailed above. To
bypass the loading screen. click the left mouse button [or SPACE BAR].
Next, select RUNNING DEMO from the ORBITER menu at the
opening screen and sit back and watch the Shuttle launch and deploy
its satellite.
To quit the demo, press ESC to acess the SIMULATOR MENU,
select MISC and then QUIT TO MAIN MENU. This will take you
back to the MAIN MENU.
3. GAME SET UP
This feature allows vou to customize the various aspects of the game.
This has six further options within it, which appear in a window
called 'SELECT WINDOW' whenever you select 'GAME SET UP'.
From here, by selecting with the mouse and then clicking on the
OPEN icon, you go to the following:
START POSITION
This feature brings up another
window that allows you to start
either from VAB [VEHLICLE
ASSEMBLY BUILDING],
ROLLOUT. i.e., right from the
beginning, LAUNCH PAD, IN-
ORBIT or LANDING. You click
on the required button. then
remove this second window by
clicking on the box in the top left
hand corner.
TIMER ADVANCE
Clicking on TIMER ADVANCE
first brings another window onto
the screen, in which are two
options:
ADVANCE BY - This feature
allows you to move to any point
in the simulator you want: Just
type in the required time. When the simulator is started you'll see a
letter 'T' in the GAME RUNNING ICON that denotes that the simu-
lator is now in TIME ADVANCE mode. While in this mode, the
simulator pauses until it finds the required point. When it has done
so, the letter 'T will disappear, and you'll be returned to normal real
time, The time advance will stop, however, if a message comes up for
an in-flight operation to be carried out [unless the help level is set to
completely automatic of course - see HELP LEVEL, below.]
DJSPLAY RATE - This feature allows you to customize the rate at
which the view is updated. For instance, if you type in 10 MINUTES,
then every new frame you'll see will be points ten minutes apart. Of
course, these views wouldn't change at this speed in real time, only
wtthin the simulator.
TIME SKIP SET
This differs from TIMER AD-
VANCE above, only in that it
simply allows you to jump to a
designated point in the mission.
Selecting this option brings up
another window, in which a box
marked 'ADVANCE TO' appears,
set out in hours, minutes and
seconds. Below this are two
icons marked 'T+' , meaning time
after lift off, and 'T-', meaning
time before lift off.
To reach a set point in time within the mission, simply select 'T-' or
T+ and type in the required time. The simulator will then time
advance until it has reached this point, skipping through time at a
rate of approximately one minute of simulator time to one second of
real time.
DETAIL COMPLEXITY
This feature allows you to set the
map and/or the shape complexi-
ties. In each case, a choice of
levels is offered. The choice of
complexities will of course effect
the speed of the simulator.
HELP LEVEL
This sets the level of communications
between you and the computer, with
othe following choices:
FULL-ON AUTO
FIRST SIMULATION
FIRST COMMAND
VETERAN
FULL MANUAL
These help levels range from NOVICE to EXPERIENCED VETERAN
with the most guidance offered at the FULL-ON AUTO level
SET TIME OF DAY
This brings up a window of the same
title, inside which are two main
boxes, each with times in hours and
minutes, entitled 'TIME OF DAY and
LENGTH OF DAY'.
TIME OF DAY allows you to set the
time of day, based on Eastern Day-
light Time, to whatever you require. This can come in useful for
example, if you're on the dark side of the planet trving to retreive a
satellite - setting the time to daylight hours in this instance could be
extremely useful!
LENGTH OF DAY allows you to determine how long a day within the
simulator takes in real time. For example, setting this to one minute.
say, means that the Earth then rotates once a minute, i.e., you'll see
30 seconds of light and 30 seconds of darkness every minute of the
mission.
4. QUIT
Enables you to exit SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR.
NOTE: Pressing ESC while in the MAIN MENU also exits the program.
2. LOG
This menu provides you with many facilities both before, during and
after missions. If you go straight into a mission without creating your
own log, and then use the Log Save option once in flight, your log will
be saved out as Vektor Graphix Ltd.'
LOG contains several options which enable you to maintain a
Commander 5 log:
1. NEW LOG
Enables you to enter in vour name as you're given command of a
Space Shuttle Orbiter for the first time. After you've entered your
name, your log is cleared and all subsequent missions will have their
details logged.
You can save your log on auto or manual by pressing the appropriate
button on this panel: auto means that the log is saved automatically,
and manual allows vou to save the log at any time you want, using
the in-flight simulator menu log save facility.
Finally. when you insert your name in the box provided, it is always
done in over-write mode, i.e., whatever you type in will automatically
type over anything that is there already.
2. RELOAD
Enables you to reload a previously saved log from disk. Selecting this
option brings up a window titled 'SELECT LOG FILE'. which con-
tains a list of all previously saved logs. Boneath this are two icons.
ABORT, which takes you back to the MAIN MENU. and LOAD: to
load an old log, simply select the one required fiom the list and then
press 'LOAD'. This will then take you straight into the selected log. If
a mission was in progress at the time the log was saved. then the
mission is continued from that point.
3.INFO
This feature gives vou information about the Space Shuttle itself.
with a sub-menu containing many of the Orbiter's different aspects
for further on-screen information.
Click on the required section. and a screen of illustrations and infor-
mation comes on screen. At the bottom of these screens are three
icons, in the form of book pages. These allow vou to scroll for~vards.
backwards, and to return to the MAIN MENU.
4. SITES
This selection gives you two further options:
LAUNCH SITES
allows you to see the two launch sites KENNEDY SPACE CENTER,
or VANDENBURG AIR FORCE BASE, in a short demo that zooms in
from orbit down to the site in question. To return to the menu screen,
press the ESCAPE key.
LANDING SITES
This selection shows the two landing sites, KENNEDY SPACE
CENTER and the primary site, EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, in the
same way as the launch sites, by way of a short demo, which can be
quit in the same wav.
5. MISSIONS
This feature allows you to select which mission you wish to perform.
When you start with a new Commander, the only option available at
the beginning is NEXT MISSION. Selecting this displays the mission
objectives of the next full mission on the screen. Press 'ACCEPT' to
start the mission, or 'ABORT' to cancel. During a full mission. Mis-
sion Control will expect you to be familiar enough with the Shuttle to
respond to their commands.
As with all the missions in SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR.
the first thing you see after selecting this mission is a page of mission
text. At the bottom of the page are two buttons: ACCEPT', which vou
select to start the mission, and ABORT'. which takes you back to the
MAIN MENU. These icons don't appear if you're re-playing a mis-
sion.
This first training mission is entitled ALT [747] MISSION, and in it
you'll launch from the back of a 747 transport plane near the
glideslope for an unpowered landing at Edwards Air Force Base.
WARNING: on this first test mission, almost all the controls are set
for you when on Full-On Auto. However. the LANDING GEAR isn't
so don't forget to put it down.' You will also be requested to turn on
the Heads Up Displays.
After completing this first mission, vou'll see a screen entitled MIS-
SION OBJECTIVES, which tells you how you fared in the mission.
When you click on OK at this screen, you're returned to the Main
menu Selecting missions again either allows you to run the mission
again, either for fun or because you just failed it, or to continue onto
the next one,
Once a full mission has been successfully completed, its objectives
will be added to the Mission menu so that you can re-attempt a
mission at any time in the future, As you become more experi-
enced as a Commander, Mission Control will select you for more
difficult missions.
For a complete guide to the procedures within these missions, see
MISSIONS - QUICK REFERENCE.
SMIULATOR MENU
Once you've em-barked on a mis-
sion, whichever one it is, you now have
access to a new menu system that
enables you to reach pretty well any part
from any other part,of the simulator
This menu is split into six categories:
1.ACTIONS
this menu allows you access to various primary in-flight commands:
PILOT'S HUD
With this feature you can turn the Pilot's Heads Up Display on or off
without having to go to the respective panel.
COMMANDER'S HUD
Does the same as the above for the Commander's HUD.
TIMER ADVANCE
Allows you mouse access to this facility, offering two further sub-options:
ADVANCE - activates the facility according to the limits you've set
[see WINDOWS, below]
ADVANCE, PAUSE TO NEXT COMMS - activates the timer ad-
vance, but only as far as the next communications from Ground
Control, at which point it resumes the normal countdown.
TIME SKIP
Similar to TIMER ADVANCE, this feature again offers two sub-
options:
SKIP - sets the pre-determined skip facility running [see MAIN
MENU, GAME SET UP, TIME SKIP above.]
SKIP, PAUSE - skips to the predetermined time, then pauses until
you're ready to continue.
TURN OFF COMMS - does just that. But beware, this is not for
turning off the teleprinter. Using this switch means that you will no
longer get any communications from Ground Control, and therefore
means that you'll have no idea of what you're supposed to be doing. It
also means that you cannot switch them back on again.
REQUEST MISSION COMMS
All missions within SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR begin
after T+55 minutes. By this point, you'll have successfully launched
the Shuttle into orbit, and prepared it for the mission. Now go to the
ACTION menu, select REQUEST MISSION COMMS, and up they'll
come, telling you everything you need to know about the progress of
the mission.If you select this before you re at the right point in time,
comms will tell you you don t need them just yet.
REQUEST LANDING COMMS
once your mission is complete, you'll be ready to return home. As
withmission comms above. go to the ACTION menu, select
REQUEST LANDING COMMS, and they will appear. As above, if
you select them before time, you'll be told politely that they're not
necessary yet.
2. PANELS
This is a quick way for you to get to
the panel you want quickly [or to
locate a particular panel if you're not
sure where it is, of course]. Under
this heading is the following list of
panels:
FRONT PANEL
AFT PANEL
CENTER PANEL
LEFT PANEL
RIGHT PANEL
OVERHEAD PANEL
RIGHT AFT PANEL
LOWER AFT PANEL
OVERVIEWS PANEL
The last of these, OVERVIEWS,
takes you to a series of diagram-
matic representations of the
Orbiter's operating stations. There
are five of these that may be seen
from the Pilot's point of view. Move
the cursor around this and you'll
find that the different panels are
highlighted as you go over them.
Click on the required panel with the
left mouse button, and you'll be
taken to it straight away.
Use the right mouse button or space
bar to go to the next OVERVIEW
screen: Once the last one has been
displayed, it starts again at the
beginning.
3. GO TO
This is similar to 'PANELS' above, except that GoTo offers you more
detailed lists of the Orbiter's available Functions. For instance. Pilot's
Instrument Power, Anti-Skid Light and so on.
4. WINDOWS
This allows you access to all the various in-game set up windows
available within the MAIN MENU'. These are as follows:
TIME ADV
- see TIMER ADVANCE in MAIN MENU
TIME SKIP
- see TIME SKIP in MAIN MENU.
TIME OF DAY
- see SET TIME OF DAY in MAIN MENU
MET
Short for MISSION ELAPSED TIMER. this brings up a window
showing the time elapsed so far on the current mission. This can be
moved to any desired point on the screen simply by clicking and
holding the mouse pointer onto the top of the window and moving it
around. To remove the MET, simply click on the small box in the top
left hand corner of the window.
COMPLEXITY
- see DETAIL COMPLEXITY in MAIN MENU.
FIXED VIEWS
Brings up a window with a list of all the different fixed views avail-
able- note that these are not available once in orbit.
once you have chosen a view. pressing F8 will select the chosen view
as thw default for the F8 key for the rest of your current stay within
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR.
HELP LEVEL
see HELP LEVEL in MAIN MENU. Note*: Help Levels cannot be
increased once a simulation has been started. Help Levels can only be
reduced during an ongoing simulation.
LOG OPTIONS
Brings up a window of the same name. The 'AUTO log save time'
feature will allow vou to set the time that the log is saved, i.e. every 5
minutes, every 10 minutes and so on. Of course, this only applies if
you choose to have the log saved automatically. At the bottom of the
window are three buttons, 'M' for MANUAL LOG save, 'A', for AUTO
LOG save, and 'OK'. which quits the window when you've finished
using it. If you wish to save any new configuration, you must use the
OK button - clicking the 'Close Window' button at the top of the box
simply abandon any changes you might have made.
You will notice that this LOG OPTIONS window is very similar to the
NEW LOG window in the MAIN MENU. This feature will allow you
tos et up your log options at any point during SPACE SHUTTLE -
THE SIMULATOR, and, if required, change them again at any other
point.
5. VIEWS
Gives a submenu of all the different viewpoints available. Selecting
any one of them will take vou to the viewpoint selected.
6. MISC [miscellaneous]
PAUSE
Pauses the simulator. Press again to unpause
SAVE
saves and updates the current log, overwriting any old data.
MAIN MENU
stops the simulator and returns to the MAIN MENU.
QUIT TO DOS
Stops the simulator and quits to MSDOS [not Amiga/ST]
Controls and
Instrumentation
This section is split into three main areas -LAUNCH, ON-ORBIT
OPERATIONS and LANDING. Similar to the reference section, any
function that occurs in more than one stage of the mission will be
described in detail in the section in which it's first used.
1. LAUNCH
CRT DISPLAY SYSTEM
LEFT/RIGHT CRT SEL [PANEL C2] - select which CRT the display
will be on.
LEFT CRT SEL POSITION 1: left keyboard controls left CRT1
POSITION 3: left keyboard controls center CRT3
RIGHT CRT SEL - POSITION 2: right keyboard controls right CRT2
POSITION 3: right keyboard controls center CRT3
LEFT & RIGHT POSJTJON 3: both keyboards interleaved onto
CRT SEL - center CRT3
CRT1/2/3 POWER ON/STANDBY/OFF [PANEL C2] - supplies power
to the CRTs from the main buses [MNA/B/ C]. STANDBY warms the
CRT filament up, while ON supplies full power. The CRT4 switch on
PANEL R12 does the same thing for the aft CRT.
CRT 1/2/3 MAJ FUNC [PANEL C2] - tell the GPC which of the
di/ferent software it should he using, whether Guidance, Navigation &
Control [GN&C] Systems Wanagement [SM] or Payload Bay opera-
tions [PL]. CRT4 has the same switch,
DISPLAY ELECTRONICS UNIT 1/2/3/4 [PANEL O6] - switch to
LOAD to initiate a GPC request for data stored in the mass memory.
NOTE
1. If you have a CRT selected, then moving to that CRT and pressing
the ALT key will bring up an overlaid window containing the
Orbiter's computer keypad.
2. for the purposes of SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR, the
CRT and keyboard won't be functional, with one exception: you
by using the + and - keys on your computer keypad, as opposed
to the keypad on PANEL C2 within the simulator, be able to scroll
through and view, but not utilize all 29 CRT displays used by the
real Shuttle. SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR will only be
using a limited number of the actual displays, primarily those con-
cerned with take-off and landing. We hope to bring a more complete
diplay system to future versions of the simulator.
GUIDANCE, NAVIGATION AND CONTROL
INSTRUMENT LANDING
When landing the Orbiter and especially when attempting the 'IN-
STRUMENT LANDING' mission in which you must bring the Orbiter
down on instruments alone, there are certain instruments to keep
your eye on. As far as SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR is
concerned, the most important instrument to monitor is the SPEC 50
CRT display, as illustrated above.
The SPEC 50 display shows the pilot everything he needs to know
when landing blind. Basically, the large circle displayed on the screen
is the Heading Alignment Circle [HAC], is what you must aim for
when descending. The little symbol nearby is the position of the
Orbiter, and the small circle attached to the large circle is the Run-
way Touchdown Point, which is the optimum point on the runway for
you to touchdown [the end nearest you, basically - the Orbiter needs a
lot of space to land.]
As well as these graphics. there are readouts for Pitch. Roll & Yaw.
as well as Attitude and Speedbrake settings.
To access this display, press SPEC 50 PRO on the keypad [PANEL
C3]. However. when CRT3 is turned on. SPEC 50 is the default
display.
Aside from this. the other instruments to watch are the ADI, to make
sure you're coming in straight: the HSI. to make sure you're nose is
where it should be; the Radar Altimeter, to keep an eye on your
attitude, and the AVVI to make sure you're not shedding attitude
too fast. Then there's the AMI to make sure you re not coming in too
fast and finally, of course the Speedbrake just in case you are
coming in too fast.
for a detailed description of manual instrument landing procedures,
see MISSION PROCEDURES. RE-ENTRY [MM304] and onwards. In
fact it is a good idea to read this before attempting any kind of
landing procedures.
TACAN
although TACAN is normally used to guide the Orbiter in on Auto, in
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR you're just going to have to
do without and land on manual. For details of the TACAN system,
see reference section
INSTRUMENTS
AITITUDE DIRECTION INDICATOR
The attitude shown is
determined by the
setting of the ADI -
ATTITUDE switch on
PANEL F8. The Local
VerticaI/Local Hori-
zon [LVLH] setting
shows the attitude in
relation to Earth. The
INRTL setting shows
the attitude in
relation to the iner-
tial guidance systems
and is relative to
"fixed" items in space
such as stars. The
REF position shows
the attitude relative
to the attitude the
last time the ATT
REF switch [PANEL
F8] was depressed
[this is useful for returning to a previous attitude after a maneuver.]
Each ADI has three rate pointers which show the Orbiter's roll [top
indicator], pitch [side] and yaw [bottom] rates. The ADI RATE
switches control the range of these indicators [full scale deflection at
the HIGH setting indicates 10 degrees per second. MED is 5 deg sec
and LOW is 1 deg/sec], The pointers are "fly to" which means that you
have to move the RHC towards the pointer to null the effect. During
maneuvers, the error between the target attitude and the current
attitude is shown by the pitch. roll and yaw needles over the ADI ball.
These needles are "fly to" which means that the correct attitude is
achieved by flying in the direction of the needles until they cross at
the center of the ball.
HORIZONTAL SITUATION INDICATOR
The HSI SELECT switches on PANELS F6 and F8 control the mode
ssociated HSI:
the MODE switch selects the flight phase: ENTRY, TAEM and
APPROACH. However. for the most efiiciency in SPACE SHUTTLE
-THE SIMULATOR, only one mode is used for all purposes.
The SOURCE switch selects the source which drives the instrument:
TACAN, inertial navigation [NAV] or Microwave scan beam landing
system [MLS].
The orbiter heading is shown at the top of the compass, read at the
"lubber" line. The Course pointer indicates the direction of the pro
grammed course, The course deviation indicator is "fly to" and shows
the required track relative to the current Orbiter position. The CDI
flag appears if the indicator display is invalid.
Another "fly to" indicator is the glide slope indicator which shows the
height of the Orbiter relative to the ideal height at that point on the
glideslope. The glideslope indicator is valid after re-entry until about
1500 feet. It is invalid when the GS flag shows on the HSI. The
Primary and Secondary bearing pointers show the relative position of
2 programmed bearings and are valid unless the BRG flag appears.
the primary range and secondary range counters show the distance
in nautical miles from a reference source [normally the runway
during the later stages of the flight]. The maximum TACAN range is
about 3999 nautical miles, but is generally not selected until after
blackout, and the MLS range is 20 nautical miles usually used once
on the heading alignment cylinder. On initial entry, NAV is the
normal selection.
ALTITUDE AND VERTICAL VELOCITY INDICATOR
The above indicators are onlv valid
after the deployment of an air data
probe using one of the AIR DATA
switches below a speed of Mach 3
usually occurring just before landing.
One of two radar altimeters can be
selected using the RADAR
switch on PANEL F6/F8. For details of
probes, see Air Data Probes.
ALPHA MACH INDICATOR
The Alpha Mach Indicators [AMIs - PANELS F6/8] show four sepa-
rate readings:
ALPHA, shows the vehicle angle of attack relative to the ground;
ACCEL, shows the acceleration or deceleration along the flight path;
M/VEL, shows the velocity either in terms of thousands of feet per
second up to 2000 fps. or as a Mach number where Mach number = V
REL /1000;
EAS. shows the velocity as an equivalent airspeed in knots.
As with the AVVI each scale shows an OFF flag if the indicator
malfunctions.
HEAD UP DISPLAY
The Commander and Pilot HUDs are enabled by the HUD POWER
switches on PANEL F3. For a full description of the HUDs various
elements, see reference section,
DIGITAL AUTO-PILOT
By switching on the ORBITAL DAP
MAN switch on PANEL C3. the Com-
mander and Pilot can override the DAP
if thev wish to have manual control or in
a contingency situation, NOTE: The
Orbiter is "fly by wire" so even when
under manual control. the manual
commands are still processed by the
computer.
1. SELECT
These two buttons determine the amount of thrust. as well as which
combination of jets to be fired. for any given operation. 'A' normally
allows higher thrusts than 'B'. In SPACE SHUTTLE. we only use
'A'. However. we do allow you to toggle between them even though it
won't alter anything.
2. AUTO/MAN
Once in MAN you can translate and rotate the Orbiter using the RCS
jets While in AUTO the Orbiter is under computer control: however
for game purposes, all in orbit maneuvers are performed in manual.
3. NORM/VERN
Venier jets fire with approximately one quarter the strength of the
Normal jets and are mostly used for fine positioning. Ordinarily if
your tracking a satellite over a large distance you should use the
NORM jets and then switch to the VERN jets when you attempt to
grab the satellite with the RMS.
4. TRANSLATION
the term ranslation means to physically move the Orbiter, for
example Left, Right, Up and Down etc. The Orbiter can move on 3
axes, X, Y and Z. Simply, X is either Forwards or Backwards, Y is
Left or Right and Z is Up or Down.
there are 9 translational buttons split into 3 columns of 3. You'll
notice that each column is headed with the letters X, Y and Z. HIGH,
NORM and PULSE. NORM results in continuous jet firings, giving
the effect of constantly increasing the relevant translational rate.
When PULSE is selected for any given axis, a single burst
of jet fire is produced with each key press. HIGH has the same effect
as NORM.
5. ROTATION
The term Rotation means to spin the Orbiter on any axis about its
center. There are 9 rotational buttons split in to 3 columns of 3,
You'll notice that each individual column is headed with the letters
ROLL, PITCH and YAW. Each column has the buttons DISC RATE.
ACCEL and PULSE. Simply. when DISC RATE is selected, jet
firings continue for as long as the key is depressed and will rotate at
no more than a rate of 4 degrees per second if NORM is selected and
1 degree per second if VERN is selected. When ACCEL is selected.
continuous jet firings are made until the key is released: this has the
effect of constantly increasing the relevant rotational rate. When
PULSE is selected for any geven axis, a single burst of jet fire is
produced with each key press.
With both the Rotation and Translation buttons each axis is indepen-
dent of the other so you could have PITCH in PULSE mode while
ROLL is in ACCEL or alternatively you could have X in NORM while
Z is in PULSE.
As you become more experienced at flying the Orbiter you'll find
the DAP very useful.
FURTHER REFERENCE
See also GPC for flight phases
ROTATIONAL HAND CONTROLLERS
When the controllers are
enabled by the FLT CNTLR
switches on PANEL F6 [Com
mander], F8 [Pilot] and A6
[aft] using the RHC will
override automatic mode and
pass control to manual mode.
The only exception to this is in
the ascent stage where the
stick must be enabled by
pressing the CSS buttons for
pitch and roll yaw on PANEL
F2 [Pilot] or PANEL F4
[Commander]. The AFT
SENSE switch on PANEL A6
is used to switch the sense of
the aft control stick so that
movements are along the line
of sight of the user, instead of
working backwards, as they
would normally appear to do.
If a failure is detected in the Pilots or Commander's RHC. the red
RHC warning light on PANEL F7 is illuminated.
The guarded button on the RHCs engage the BFS and should only be
used in contingency situations: however. this wont be an operational
option for users of SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR.
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR can accept RHC control
from the keypad/cursor keys. Moving the cursor up/down (8/2) con-
trols movement in the pitch axis. Moving the cursor left right (4/6)
controls roll movement. Unfortunately. computer keyboards aren't as
advanced as the Space Shuttle RHCs so yaw movement is controlled
by the , . keys. The simulator treats the keypad as an RHC during
ascent, insertion. de-orbit. re-entrv and landing [during orbit, it's
treated as a Translational Hand Controller.]
to switch between the two controllers press F to access the Front
RHC and A for the Aft RHC.
however, only the two front RHCs will be operable during flight
phases only during on-orbit maneuvers will you be able to transfer
control to the aft RHC.
TRANSLATIONAL HAND CONTROLLERS
the controllers are enabled hy the FLT CNTRL switches on PANEL
f6 and A6 and for the same reasons as for the
RHCs the AFT SENSE switch on PANEL A6 is used to switch the
sense of the aft THC.
USER CONTROL
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR can accept THC type control
from the keypad cursor keys. As with the RHCs [above], moving the
cursor up/down 8/2 controls movement in the pitch axis, moving the
left/right 4/6 controls roll movement. and yaw movement is
controlled by the , and . keys. The simulator treats the keypad as a
THC during orbital maneuvers [during ascent. insertion, de-orbit, re
-entry and landing its treated as an RHC]. As with RHCs, the aft
THC only available during on-orbit operations.
RUDDER PEDALS
rudder pedals are enabled by the FLT CNTRL switches on
PANEL F7 [Commander] and F8 [Pilot].
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR accepts rudder control
using the same , and . keys as for in space [yaw left/right], but won't
be simulating the braking abilities of the rudder pedals in this
version.
THRUST AND BRAKING
When under control of the GPCs. the SPD BK/THROT button lights
on PANELS F2 and F4 indicate AUTO. To take control of the thrust/
brakes, the Pilot must depress the takeover switch on his thrust
controller and move the lever until its setting matches the last
computer thrust [or brake] setting. Manual control is now attained
and the SPD BK/THROT lights indicate MAN.
The takeover switch can now be released, Control can be restored to
the computers by pressing the SPD BK/THROT button.
Thrust/speed brake control is enabled by the FLT CNTRL switches on
PANEL F7 [Commander] and F8 [Pilot]
The speedbrake/throttle within SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULA-
TOR doesn't need to be taken over as it is permanently available,
Use the +/= keys on the keypad to take control of the throttle or
speedbrake.
2. ON-ORBIT MANEUVERS
PAYLOAD BAY
PAYLOAD BAY DOORS
Before you can open the doors you have to enable the AC motors
which are labelled PL BAY DOOR, SYS 1 and SYS 2. The payload
bay door control switches are located on PANEL R13L. Power is
initiated to the payload bay door power and control systems by
switching the PL BAY DOOR switches to ENABLE and setting the
LATCH CONTROL OPEN/CLOSE switch to OPEN. This then ini-
tiates the automatic sequences, and the PL BAY DOOR indicator
shows the door status. Procedure time is 64 seconds, during which the
indicators will be at BARBERPOLE. The closing procedure is the
reverse, setting the switch to CLOSE instead of OPEN. The
STOP position stops the sequence in progress.
PAYLOAD BAY RADIATORS
Releasing the radiators allows heat to escape from the Orbiter.
Deployment is a two stage operation. as the radiators are latched
down for safety reasons. Before releasing the latches you first have to
enable the power. To do this. click the PL BAY MECH PWR SYS1
and SYS2 switches to ENABLE. Only enabling one of them will
halve tehe speed at which both the latches and the radiators deploy.
once powered, release the STBD and PORT latches by clicking the
LATCH CONTROL SYS A and SYS B switches to RELEASE. The
indicators above the switches will now be on BARBERPoLE. When
the latches are released, these indicators will show REL.
to deploy the radiators click the RADIATOR CONTROL SYS A and
SYSB switche to DEPLOY. Once deployed, the indicators will show
DPY
MANNED MANEUVERING UNIT
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR allows you to have full
control over the MMU when one is being carried by the Orbiter.
Once you are in orbit, and you have accessed the Mission Comms, the
MMU is utilized by simply selecting MMU from the VIEWS option, or
by pressing F6. You'll now be transferred inside the unit, without any
worries about any 3 hour pre-breathing operation. Obviously, it can't
be used at any time other than in orbit.
Next press Shift F6, and the unit will unlatch from the cargo bay
wall [Alt F6 re-latches it on returning to the bay]. We have assigned
unique keys that control the Rotation and Translation of the MMU.
This way you can control the MMU while viewing it from any other
anglr, for example, out of the Aft Payload Bay windows.
REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM
In SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR. only the port RMS arm
is used, although you still have to select it, To do this, use the RMS
SELECT switch on PANEL A8L. Next, energize the RMS by using
the RMS POWER switch. For Player Contrds. see KEYBOARD
CONTROLS above.
During launch, the arm is latched at the shoulder. but doesn't need to
be relatched for re-entry and landing. The shoulder brace latch is
released once in orbit using the switch on PANEL A8 to release the
arm. This switch must be held over until the associated indicator
turns grey [about 6-9 seconds].
The arm is deployed to its operational rest position after the payload
doors are opened and stowed again before they are closed using the
appropriate DEPLOY/STOW switch on A8L. Deployment and stow-
age take about 34 seconds. The status of the arm is shown by the
indicator above the relevant DEPLOY/STOW switch.
When deployed. the arm must be latched until it's needed for use
using the appropriate LATCH/RELEASE switch. The AFT. MID and
FWD READY FOR LATCH indicators turn grey when the arm is
deployed and in position for latching and the LATCH/RELEASE
switch is then activated.
The indicator above the switch changes to LAT when the arm is
latched.
RMS CAMERAS
The RMS-related CCTV svstem consists of four cameras in the
payload bay, all of which can be panned and tilted. However, since
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR only uses the Port RMS arm.
it only uses the two Port cameras.
To select, use the RMS PORT switch on the VIDEO INPUT section of
the AFT Panel then set the RMS CAMERA switch, below the AFT
RHC, to either WRIST or ELBOW.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ku BAND ANTENNA
DEPLOY- PANEL R13 - deploys the KU antenna. ensuring that the
payload bays are open first. of course, The indicator above the switch
shows the current status of the antenna. Stowage is the reversal of
deployment -both operations take about 20 seconds,
DIRECT STOW PANEL R13 - In contingency situations the an-
tenna can be stowed using this override switch. If this still fails, the
antenna can be jettisoned. using the same routine as for RMS jettison
except that the Antenna is not jettisoned, but merely released
- the Orbiter then must simply maneuver away from it.
CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM [CCTV]
all cameras are linked into monitors on Panel A3, from which you can
select the desired cameras, as well as pan and tilt them.
The view on Panel A3 is in mono.
3. LANDING
LANDING GEAR
The landing gear is deployed by the Commander or Pilot pressing
guarded switches ARM and DN on PANEL F6 or F8. The landing
gear status is shown on indicators above these switches. The landing
gear deploy and nose wheel steering is powered bv hvdraulic system
1. If there is a hydraulic [or other] failure and the gear fails to start to
deploy within one second pyrotechnic jets fire to deploy the gear. If
hydraulic system 1 fails, the Orbiter is steered after landing by
differential braking on the main gear [powered by hydraulic systems
2 and 3] Loss of hydraulic svstems 1 and 3, or 2 and 3, would result
in a loss of half the braking pressure on each wheel. and would
require an increased braking distance on landing. There is nothing
YOU can do about it except brake harder and earlier!.
The nose wheel is steered either by the GPCs or, in contingency
situations. by the control stick or rudder pedals. The mode is selected
by setting the NWS switch on PANEL L2 to DIRECT. However, the
nose wheel steering is still effected by failures to the Hydraulic
Systems.
3. Reference Section
This section gives a description of, and any necessary background to
each and every part and function of the Space Shuttle, as used in
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR.
The reference section is split into three major activities, LAUNCH,
ON-ORBIT OPERATIONS & LANDING, with each aspect of the
Shuttle being covered under that section for which it has the most
relevance. In the case of an item being equaly as important to more
than one stage of the Shuttle's activities, we have given the full
description and background, where applicable, in the first such
occurrence.
For easy access to any one part of the Shuttle, refer to the main index
at the back of this manual.
- SUMMARY OF PANELS
The controls and instrumentation of the real Space Shuttle are
understandably complex. SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR
accurately reproduces the layout and functions of all of the genuine
primary Shuttle controls.
The FLIGHT DECK is split into two main stations:
The FORWARD station, at which are seated the Commander [right]
and the Pilot [left].
The AFT station, from which the RMS is controlled during orbit.
The instrument panels are labeled according to their position
F front PANEL
O overhead PANEL
L left PANEL
R right PANEL
C center PANEL
A aft PANEL
M right aft PANEL
N lower aft PANEL
FORWARD PANEL
F2 Commander's control panel - CSS/AUTO buttons,
Speed Brake controls etc.
F3 HUD power, Trim controls
F4 Pilot's control panel - as F2
F6 Commander's main panel - landing gear.
direction/attitude indicators etc.
F7 CRT main panel, pressure gauges
F8 Pilot's main panel - as F6
LEFT PANEL
L1 Fire suppression
L2 Nose wheel Steering , Anti-Skid controls & Life Support
CENTER PANEL
C2 Keypads, CRT controls
C3 DAP, SRB/ET Sep, Air Data probe controls etc.
RIGHT PANEL
R1 Power Distribution
R2 APU/Hydraulics/ET Umbilical
R4 MPS/Hydraulics
R12 Keypad/CRT, fuel/water
R13L PLB/MMU/KU antenna
OVERHEAD PANEL
O1 GPC status, Press/Temps
O3 RCS/OMS Press. Timers
O5 Pilot's communications controls
O6 GPCs, Star Tracker
O7 Tacan, RCS
O8 Radar Altimeter, OMS
O9 Commander's communications controls
AFT PANEL
A3 CCT monitors
A4 Timers
A6 Orbital DAP
A7 Video Control. RHC
A8 RMS controls
A14 RMS Arm & KU Antenna jettison controls
1. LAUNCH
WATER SPRAY
BOILERS
These are located in
the aft fuselage of the
Orbiter. and are used
to cool down the power
unit. lube oil and
hydraulic svstems
during both the ascent
and de-orbit phases.
There are three boilers
in all, and they store
water in a bellows-type
storage tank pressur-
ized by gaseous nitro-
gen.
Along with the three APUs and the hydraulic pumps, the water spray
boilers are in operation five minutes before take-off, although the
boilers are pre-activated forty-five minutes before this. One of these
boilers is also opened briefly one day before de-orbit during a flight
control system checkout.
BOILER N2 SUPPLY 1/2/3 [PANEL R2] - controls the nitrogen
shut-off valves, which maintain water pressure in the boilers
APU FUEL/H20 QTY[PANEL F8] - allows the water quantity of
each boiler to be displayed on the 1/2/3 METERS on the same p anel.
1/2/3 [PANEL R2] -
i] operates the two boiler controllers. when the relevant switch is at
POSITION A , the A controller for that boiler is powered. and like-
wise for POSITION B. when at OFF, electrical power is removed
from both controllers.
ii] operates the electrical heaters when in orbit to prevent water
freeze up in orbit. The heaters apply to the same boilers as do the
power switches, and the access method is also the same.
1/2/3 [PANEL R2] - enables [i.e., provide the automatic control
functions for] the relevant controller selected by the previous switch
[above]. when enabled, the ready signal appears on the corresponding
APU/HYD READY TO START talkback indicator on PANEL R2. as
long as the following has been actioned: N2 shut-off valve is open,
steam vent nozzle temperature is >130 F, and the hydraulic fluid by-
pass valve is in the correct position with regard to the hydrauic fluid
temperature.
FURTHER REFERENCE
See also LANDING GEAR.
PROBLEMS
As the boilers and heaters are immediately concerned with the
smooth running of the APUs on ascent. vou must check to make
certain that they are reading and operating correctly at all times.
Once the pilot has initiated the APU pre-start sequence, he confirms
that the water spray boilers are activated before he does anything
else. At T-5 minutes the pilot starts the three power units by setting
the APU CNTL switches to START/RUN and checking the hydraulic
pressure gauges for an indication of approximately 600-1000 psi. He
then pressurizes the main pump and looks for approximately 3000 psi
on the gauges. All three hydraulic main pump pressures must be
greater than 2800 psi by T-4 minutes or the automatic launch se-
quencer will abort the launch. This is not something that the pilot can
do ay\thing about. of course and the Shuttle must then be returned
for a complete check over.
CRT DISPLAY SYSTEM
The MCDS on the Orbiter crew compartment flight deck allows
onboard monitoring of Orbiter systems, computer software processing
and manual control for flight crew data and software manipulation.
The system is composed of three types of hardware: display electronic
units [DEUs], display units that include the CRTs, and keyboard
units, which together communicate with the GPCs over the display/
keyboard data bus network [see GPCs. below]. The MCDS provides
almost immediate response to flight crew enquiries through displays,
graphs, trajectory plots and predictions about flight progress. The
crew controls the vehicle system operation through the use of key-
boards in conjunction with the display units.
Three keyboards are located on the flight deck: two on the left and
right sides of the flight deck center console [PANEL C2] and one on
the flight deck at the side aft flight station [PANEL R12]. Depending
on crew requirements and preferences. each of the front keyboards
can communicate with any of the front DEUs: the aft keyboards
however, is only wired to display on the aft DEU.
PROBLEMS
If the CETs go there is little the crew can do about it The likelihood
of all of them going at once is extremely remote, however. The only
thing the crew can do is to replace a blown CRT with one of the others
- i.e., if one of the front CRTs went. the crew could replace it with the
aft one. This simulator is not. for obvious reasons, able to recreatte
this emergency.
GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS [GPCs]
Almost all of the operations carried out by the Space Shuttle are
controlled or overseen by the main computer system. The DPS [Data
Processing System] consists of five General Purpose Computers
[GPCs] connected to the many hundreds of feedback sensors and
actuators throughout the Shuttle. These are each made up of a
central processing unit [CPU] and an input/output processor [OP]
and each of the five do a different job. All five are IBM AP-101 com-
puters, and contain a memory area for storing data and software
They are collectively referred to as the Shuttle's Main Memory into
which are loaded all the flight and operational information systems.
The system software [or Executive] controls the computer systems
and monitors communication between them. It also supports the user
interface modules to provide interaction with the crew.
The applications software consists of specific modules to manage
navigation and control. etc., at various stages of the missicm. Each
major module of operations or OPS has a number associated with it:
OPS 1 Ascent
OPS 2 On Orbit
OPS 3 Reentry
OPS 4 Orbit operations
OPS 6 RTLS [loaded along with OPS 1]
OPS 8 On Orbit Checkout
OPS 9 Computer Utilities
Each major OPS also has a particular CRT display associated with it.
GPC POWER ON/OFF [PANEL 06]- First of all you have to turn
the things on. These switches are guarded, as, for one, they control
600 watts of power each, and moreover the GPCs should not be able
to be turned off inadvertently.
GPC OUTPUT [PANEL 06] - has three positions: BACKUP. NOR-
MAL & TERMINATE. BACKUP is only used for the GPC containing
the BFS, which stops it being used until needed; All switches for
operating GPCs will be set at NORMAL, whereas the GPCs control-
ling systems management [i.e., on-orbit operations] will be positioned
at TERMINATE, as they shouldn't be commanding anything during
the flight phases.
MODE [PANEL 06] three positions: RUN. STBY & HALT. Nor-
mally if these switches are put into HALT in the RUN position, the
software is precluded from operating. However, if the switches are
put into STBY, the software can still not be executed, but the GPC is
in a software controlled state. Normal practice is to go from HALT to
STBY and then to RUN, and vice versa. as this gives the software a
chance to ready and clean itself up.
ORBITER FLIGHT COMPUTER SOFTWARE - refers to all the
various software commands that are typed in at the relevant moment
by the flight crew.
PROBLEMS
If the main GPC fails, the Shuttle has its own backup flight system,
or BFS, which is loaded into the GPCs and the mass memory unit. As
it's only concerned with the emergency ascent, insertion into orbit or
de-orbit of the Shuttle, it has a great deal less information stored
within it. Thus. it takes up only one of the GPCs, (ordinarily No.5),
although any of the GPCs could become a BFS if necessary. Remem-
ber, GPC 5 must be switched on at the pre-launch phase, otherwise
the Shuttle won't take off.
Other than this, however, for the purposes of SPACE SHUTTLE -
THE SIMULATOR. the BFS won't be operable.
ORBITAL MANEUVERING SYSTEM
The Orbital Maneuvering
System [OMS] is housed
in 2 pods, one on each
sid of the aft fuselage.
The OMS contain 23 878
pounds of propellant and
is able to deliver 6000
pounds thrust from
nozzles which can be
gimballed by up to 6
degrees. The OMS is first
used just after Main
Engine Cut Off [MECO]
and External Tank [ET]
separation to boost the
Shuttle into an elliptical
Orbit. This is called
OMS-1. Dependent on the
mission a second burn
might be needed at the orbit's apogee [furthest point) to make it more
circular. This is called OMS-2. If only one OMS burn is used, this is
known as Direct Insertion [into orbit].
The pods also house
the aft Reaction
Control System
[RCS] There is also
a foward Reaction
Control System in
the nose of the craft
in front of the Crew
Compartment. All
together, the RCS
comprises 38 pri-
mary thrusters each
delivering 870
pounds thrust and
six vernier engines
for fine adjustments
each delivering 24
pounds.
TheRCS is used just
after ET separation
to maneuver the
Orbiter clear of the
tank. The RCS is
also used throughout
the flight to adjust
the Pitch. Roll and
Yaw of the space
craft, and to counter
movements outside
the range of the OMS
gimballing system.
The OMS is used in
re-entry until the air
pressure is such that
the elevons and
rudder can take over.
The hydrogen and oxygen propellants are helium pressurized through
the propellant management system. The propellant management
system is complex and usually controlled by computer. In contingency
situations, the crew can carry out many operations using manual
switches.
The RCS is normally controlled by the Digital AutoPilot [DAP] or
manually using the Rotational Hand Controller [RHC] or the Trans-
lational Hand Controller [THC] via the GPCs.
The propellant
management
system is complex
and normally
computer con
trolled, as long as
the switches on
PANEL OC are set
to GPC . All that
the pilot will
normally be
concerned with
are the propellant
and pressurization
systerm pressures,
which are shown
on the OMS
PRESS gauges on
PANEL F7, and
the fuel levels ,
shown on the
RCS/OMS PRESS
gauge on PANEL
O3.
For full break-
down of the
operation of the
OMS engines, see
the OMS BURN
sequences under
LAUNCH SEQUENCE within the MISSION PROFILES section at
the end of the manual.
FURTHER REFERENCE
See also MAIN PROPULSION SYSTEM & AUXILIARY POWER
UNITS.
LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
The Crew compartment is pressurized to 14.7 psi by an 80/20 Nitro-
gen/Oxygen air mix. The system has two separate Oxygen Supplies,
two Nitrogen Supplies plus an emergency Oxygen Supply.
The Air supplies are controlled by switches on PANEL L2. The cabin
pressure and flow rates are shown on gauges on PANEL O1. If the
cabin pressure falls [or rises] too far, or if an increased Nitrogen or
Oxygen flow is detected [indicating a possible leak], the master
alarms go off, the CABIN ATM light on PANEL F7 illuminates and a
klaxon sounds in the crew cabin.
The cabin VENT switches on PANEL L2 are used to vent the cabin to
equalize the internal pressure with the external pressure. To do so,
set VENT ISOL to CLOSE and VENT to OPEN.
During the countdown [T-lhr 30 mins] the crew compartment is
pressurized to about 16.7 psi to check for leaks.
FURTHER REFERENCE
See EMERGENCY EGRESS.
AUXILIARY POWER UNITS
The Auxihary Power
Unit is a hydrazine-
fuelled, turbine-driven
power unit that gener
ates mechanical shaft
power to drive a hydrau
lic pump that produces
pressure for the
Orbiter's hydraulic
system. There are three
Auxiliary Power Units
[APUs], for the three
hydraulic systems, all
housed in the aft fuse-
lage, providing the
hydraulic power to
control engine gimbal
actuators, propellant
management control
valves, elevons, rudder,
landing and steering gear and so on.
The APUs are readied at about T-six minutes and started about d ive
minutes before launch and remain active until after the first OMS
burn. They are not operated after this first OMS thrusting period
because hydraulic power is no longer required One of the units re-
activated again about a day before de-orbit to support checkout of the
Orbiter flight control system - elevons rudder, speed brake, body flap,
and all other Orbiter aerosurfaces.
Each APU has its own controller. Before starting up the APUs, all the
boiler, hydraulics and fuel valves and switches have to be set to their
correct positions. Once this has all been done, the APUs can then be
started up. To do so, first set the APU CNTRL PWR switches to ON
on PANEL R2. when the APUs are ready to start. the READY TO
START indicators signal gray. Now start the APUs by switching the
APU OPERATE switches to START/RUN. For full details of APU
start-up. see MISSION PROFILES at the end of this manual.
The APUs can be run at three speeds: low, normal and high. These
can be set using the APU SPEED SELECT switches. when the APU
AUTO SHUTDOWN switches are at ENABLE, the controllers will
automatically shutdown the APUs if an overspeed [>92880 rpm] or
underspeed [<57600 rpm] condition occurs, lighting the appropriate
light on PANEL F7. Loss of an APU will cause the corresponding
hydraulic systems to become inoperative lighting the HYD PRESS
light on PANEL F7.
The APUs can be run in contingency situations outside their toler-
ances by setting the AUTO SHUTDOWN to INHIBIT [PANEL R2]
and setting the APU OPERATE switches to START ORIDE/RUN. If
the APU oil temperature exceeds 290F the APU TEMP light appears
on PANEL F7. The general APU status can be monitored on the
gauges on PANEL F8.
MAIN PROPULSION SYSTEM
The Main Propulsion System [MPS] consists of the three main
engines [SSMEs], the External Tank [ET] and a propellant manage-
ment system. The SSMEs can be gimballed up to 10.5 degrees under
the control of hydraulic actuators.
During the launch phase, the MPS is also assisted by the two Solid
Rocket Boosters, or SRBs [see below].
The SSMEs can be controlled from 65% to 100% of their rated power
level [100% represents 375,000 pounds thrust at launch] by use of the
SPEED BRAKE/THROTTLE. The engines are controlled by their own
individual computers [called controllers] receiving commands from
the main Shuttle General Purpose Computers [GPCs].
Controllers and support circuits are enabled by the switches on
PANEL R2.
The hydrogen and oxygen propellants are helium pressurized
through the propellant management system. The propellant manage-
ment system is complex and usually controlled by computer, the
control switches being set to GPC. In emergency situations, usually
aborts, the crew can carry out many operations using manual
switches on PANEL R2. The propellant management system pres-
sures are shown on gauges on PANEL F7.
The Orbiter has three hydraulic systems for providing thrust vector
control and actuating engine valves. The main distribution valves are
controlled by the HYDRAULICS MPS/TVC 1, 2 and 3 switches on
PANEL R4. The talkback indicators show OP or CL accordingly.
In emergencies, [and after GPC control has failed] fuel can be
dumped by setting the MPS PRPLT DUMP switch on PANEL R2 to
SEQUENCE START.
The HYDRAULIC MPS/TVC ISOL valve switches on PANEL R4 are
closed on-orbit to protect against hydraulic leaks.
FURTHER REFERENCE
For controls required for pressurization system, see appropriate
section of MISSION PROFILES.
SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS [SRBs]
The two Solid Rocket Boosters [SRBs] are attached pn each side of the
External Tank [ET]. They are each 149.16 feet long and 12.17 feet in
diameter and way about 1,300,000 pounds at launch. ncluding their
load of about 1,100,000 pounds propellant. Each SRB develops
approximately 3,300,000 pounds thrust at launch. providing nearly
three quarters of the Shuttle's initial thrust. The precise direction of
thrust can be adjusted by gimballing the rocket nozzle using actua-
tors powered by two Hydraulic Power Units [HPUs].
SRB ignition takes place at a fraction of a second before launch after
the successful starting of the main engines.
About 2 minutes after launc,. 4 separation motors fire to separate
the SRBs from the ET. The SRBs continue to rise after separation to
nearly 220,000 feet before falling to around 15,700 feet when para-
chutes are deployed. The SRBs are recovered from the Ocean approxi-
mately 122 nautical miles from the launch site.
Separation is controlled by the SRB SEPARATION AUTO/MAN
switch on PANEL C3 and the SEP push button. In the AUTO position
the GPCs do the separation. To manually jettison the SRBs, select
MAN and press the SEP button.
EXTERNAL TANK
The ET is jettisoned immeadiately after MECO and breaks up
in the upper atmosphere before falling into the ocean.
It is separated from the Orbiter at three structural attach points,
separation occuring before orbit insertion, normall under automatic
control.
Seperation is controlled by the ET SEPARTION AUTO/MAN switch
on PANEL C3 and the SEP push button. In the AUTO position
GPCs do the separation. To manually jettison the ET, select MAN
and press the SEP button.
NOTE
The ET Umbilical Doors must be closed after ET SEP. This is nor-
mally done automatically by GPC. Optionally, or in contingency
conditions, this can be done by the crew: this is done by ensuring that
the ET UMBILICAL DOOR CENTERLINE LATCH switch on
PANEL R2 is in the STOW position, setting the ET UMBILICAL
DOOR LEFT & RIGHT LATCH switches to RELEASE [takes about 6
seconds to unlatch] and setting the ET UMBILICAL DOOR LEFT &
RIGHT DOOR OPEN/OFF/CLOSE switches to CLOSE [takes about
24 seconds]. The latch talkback indicators show LAT or REL and the
door indicators show OP or CL, both showing BARBERPOLE when
the doors4atches are in transit.
The umbilical doors are normally closed automatically in RTLS
aborts [default position is GPC].
GUIDANCE, NAVIGATION AND CONTROL
Guidance, Navigation and Control [GNC, or sometimes GN&C] of the
Space Shuttle is carried out with the support of the four main GPCs
or the BFS in contingency situations. GNC has two operating modes:
Automatic mode in which the GPCs effectively fly the computer with
the flight crew selecting the operating sequences via the computer
keypads; and Manual mode, in which the crew flies the Orbiter using
the Rotational Controller, translational controller thrust controller
and rudder pedals etc.
With so much computer hardware and software at their disposal, it's
rare for the flight crew of the space Shuttle to ever need to touch any
manual guidance controls, as the Shuttle can launch, orbit, re-enter
and land entirely under computer control. Regardless, many of the
Shutte flight crews have still chosen to guide the Orbiter by hand.
most often when landing, at which time the guidance computers and
displays act much as traditional navigation aids to the Pilot or
Commander.
In contingency, navigation systems can be switched on manully
using the HSI SELECT switches on PANELS F6 & FS.
TACAN - MANUAL PROCEDURE:
TACAN 1,2 or 3 ANT SEL to AUTO [PANEL 07]
TACAN MODE to GPC [PANEL 07]
HSJ SELECT - SOURCE to TACAN [PANEL F6/8]
HSJ SELECT - MODE to TAEM [PANEL F6/8]
when the Orbiter has turned onto its final leg for landing, it can be
guided by a Microwave Scan beam Landing System [MSBLS]. This
system feeds the track and glideslope indicators on PANELS F6 and
F9. The Orbiter also has two radar altimeters on board which feed
information to the Altitude indicator on PANELS F6 and FS.
FURTHER REFERENCE
For further details of landing procedures. see also MISSION PROCE-
DURES. RE-ENTRY [MM304] onwards.
2. INSTRUMENTS
The main Guidance and Navigation instruments. detailed below, are
all located on the Commander~s and Pilot's main PANELS [F6 and
F8]. The Commander and Pilot also each have a Head Up Display
[HUD]
AIR DATA SYSTEM
The air data system provides information on the movement and
position of the Orbiter in relation to the air masses around it, and
relates this information to the AMIs, the AVVIs and the CRTs. For
information on these displays, see the relevant sections.
This data is collected by the AIR DATA PROBES. positioned on the
left and right of the Orbiter's nose section. The MR DATA PROBES
are deployed only during the final descent stages when the Orbiter's
velocity drops below Mach 3.
Each probe is independently deployed by two AC motors, and is
controlled by its AIR DATA PROBE SWJTCH [PANEL C3]. To deploy
the probes, the LEFT & RIGHT SWITCHES are positioned to DE-
PLOY. If the Air Data Probe Heaters are required, the switch is set to
DEPLOY/HEAT. when the probe is deployed, taking 15 seconds with
both motors, 30 with one.
To stow the heaters, normally only done when the Orbiter is on the
ground, the AIR DATA PROBE STOW LEFT & RIGHT SWITCHES
[PANEL C3] are switched to ENABLE, then the AIR DATA PROBE
SWITCHES are switched to STOW, stowing the probes. If the AIR
DATA PROBE STOW switch is set at INHIBIT, the probes cannot be
stowed as the AC motor circuits are disabled, thus saving the
microswitches.
PROBLEMS
The only problem comes when neither of the probes work - this means
that none of the descent-related switches mentioned above, and
detailed below, will work either, showing a red flag across them. If
this occurs, which it has never done so far, then the pilot has no
choice but to guide the Orbiter into land as best he can.
RADAR ALTIMETER
The Space Shuttle's two radar altimeters measure the absolute
distance from the Orbiter to the ground, and enable the instruments
to show not only the ground immediately below, but any features,
cliffs. mountains etc.. to the front or aft, or to either side of the craft.
The two systems can operate independently of each other, but if they
are used together. they present to the instruments an averaged
reading of the terrain below.
This facility is avail able at any altitude from zero to 5000 ft., but has
a tendency not to work if the Orbiter is pitching or rolling to greatly.
The Radar Altimeter can be accessed by either the commander or the
pilot. for display on their respective AVVI. The commander uses
RADAR ALTM 1/2 SWITCH [PANEL F7], and the pilot's being on
PANEL F8. However. before the altimeter can be used, the power to
the switches must first be switched on, using the RADAR ALTIM-
ETER ON OFF 1/2 SWITCH [PANEL 08].
PROBLEMS
The Radar Altimeter gauge will show a red off flag if there is a loss of
power, loss of lock, bad data or three communications faults. In this
case, the Radar Altimeter won't work, and the crew have to rely upon
their remaining instruments, and in a worst case scenario, on their
judgement.
HORIZONTAL SITUATION INDICATOR
The Horizontal Situation Indicators [HSIs], beneath the ADIs, are
active during re-entry and landing [and RTLS]. The HSIs show the
Orbiter's direction and position relative to the required track and
glideslope.
ALTITUDE AND VERTICAL VELOCITY INDICATOR
The Altitude and Vertical Velocity
Indicators [AVVIs - PANELS F6/8] show
the vertical acceleration [ALT ACCEL],
the vertical velocity [ALT RATE], the
altitude as given by a barometric altim-
eter [ALT] and the altitude as given by a
radar altimeter [RDR ALT].
PROBLEMS
An RA OFF FLAG comes across the RDR
ALT gauge under certain circumstances:
1] RA ON/OFF switch on PANEL O8 is
turned off:
2] loss of power due to too much pitch
and/or roll
3] loss of power due to bad data
To rectify, correct whichever contingency
has gone wrong.
The source of information for the AMI is
either from the navigation software or
from left or right Air Data Probes, as determined by the setting of the
AIR DATA switches on PANEL F6. The two units are driven indepen-
dently. but can have the same information displayed on both, or not,
as the case may be.
SURFACE POSITION INDICATORS
The Surface Position Indicators
[SPIs - PANEL F7], active during
entry [and RTLS], show the
actual and commanded settings of
the Orbiter air surfaces: rudder,
aileron, elevons and body flaps.
RCS COMMAND LIGHTS
These indicators [PANEL F6], active during entry and RTLS, illumi-
nate to show when the RCS jets for pitch, roll and yaw are being used
or when the air surfaces are imparting similar effects to the Orbiter.
Once the respective dynamic pressures are achieved [10 psf for Roll
jets, 20 for Pitch: yaw lights continue to function until Mach 11, the
lights are not used again until dynamic pressure reaches 50 psf. At
this point, both Pitch and Roll lights assume a new function, illumi-
nating whenever the elevon surface drive rate exceeds 20 degrees per
second [or 10 if only one hydraulic
system is left].
G FORCE METER
This gauge, located on PANEL F7,
shows the G forces acting on the
Shuttle and crew.
HEAD UP DISPLAY
The Heads Up Displays [HUDs] work in a similar way to those on
modern jet planes. conveying crucial instrument readings to the Pilot
so that he doesn't have to look down at the instrument panels during
the final approach.
DIGITAL AUTO-PILOT
The Shuttle is normally controlled almost entirely by the four main
GPCs from a combination of pre-programed sequences. Some of these
sequences are activated automatically, while some are controlled by
the crew via the keypads. The heart of the flight control software is
the DIGITAL AUTOPILOT [DAP]. During the ascent phase [OPS 1]
The DAP will normally control engine throttle and vector transitions,
SRB and ET separation, MECO and orbit insertion. RTLS control
[OPS 6] is available as an overlay to OPS 1 as there would not be
enough time to load OPS 6 separately. During the main mission
[orbit] phase [OPS 2], the DAP controls the RCS engines as required
to maintain orbit regularity and Shuttle attitude and to adjust the
orbit to rendezvous with targets. During the Re-entry phase [OPS 3],
the DAP controls the de-orbit burn, re-entry attitude and speed
control, and landing.
By switching on the ORBITAL DAP MAN switch on PANEL C3, the
Commander and Pilot can override the DAP if they wish to have
manual control or in a contingency situation. Note that the Orbiter is
"fly by wire" so even when under manual control, the manual com-
mands are still processed by the computer.
ROTATIONAL HAND CONTROLLERS
There are three Rotational Hand Controllers [RHCs}. one each at the
Commander's and Pilot's stations, and one at the aft station. The
action of the controllers depends on the phase of the mission. During
the ascent stage. the RHCs gimball the SSMEs and SRB engines. For
orbit insertion and de-orbit, they gimball the OMS engines and
control thrusting of the RCS engines. while in orbit they control the
RCS engine thrusting. During the first part of re-entry they control
RCS thrusting and, later on, the elevon positions. During orbit, the
control is 3 axis [pitch. roll and yaw]. During ascent. re-entry and
landing the control is only 2 axis [pitch and roll].
RHC/PANEL ENABLE/INHIBIT
In order to be able to manually control the movements of the Shuttle
while under nominal GPC control. the crew must first switch on their
RHCs.
Switch the RHC/PANEL switch from INHIBIT, wherein no RHC
commands will effect the Shuttle. to ENABLE, where they will. Both
the commander and pilot can enable their RHCs, and as a failsafe, if
they pull in opposite directions. any such contrary instructions will
cancel each other out.
TRANSLATIONAL HAND CONTROLLERS
There are two Translational Hand Controllers [THCs]. One is at the
Commanders station and the other is at the aft station. The
Commander's THC is active during orbit insertion. orbit and de-orbit.
The aft THC is onlv active during orbit. The THCs are used to control
the RCS engines [this is independent of the push button controls on
PANELS C3 and A6].
RUDDER PEDALS
The Commander and Pilot have aircraft-style rudder pedals which
control the Orbiter in the Yaw axis during flight within the atmo-
sphere. Furthermore. the pedals also operate the nose wheel steering,
while depressing the top of the pedals provides braking to both the
main and the nose wheels.
2. ON-ORBIT MANEUVERS
ORBITER
The Space Shuttle Orbiters, of which there have been 5 [Enterprise,
Columbia, Challenger. Atlantis and Discovery] have a typical length
of 122.2 feet and wingspan of 78.06 feet.
The pressurized crew compartment is in the fotward fuselage just
behind forward Reaction Control System [RCS]. The main body of the
Orbiter is taken up by the payload bay, which is 60 feet long.
The rear of the Orbiter houses the Space Shuttle Main Engines
[SSMEs], and the Orbital Maneuvering System [OMS], as well as the
aft RCS pods.
The Orbiter structure is built mainly of aluminium alloy covered with
the now-legendary re-usable insulation tiles.
CREW COMPARTMENT
The Crew compartment is a sealed pressure-tight three level cabin of
about 2325 cubic feet. It is mounted inside the forward fuselage at the
front of the Orbiter. Entry to the Orbiter is through the side hatch to
the mid deck, or the airlock to the payload bay. The side hatch can be
jettisoned in emergencies.
The compartment would normally accommodate four crew members
on the flight deck and up to four on the mid-deck. A further two crew
members could be carried in emergency conditions. The lower tier of
the compartment serves as an equipment bay.
REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM
The Remote Manipulator System [RMS] main component is the
manipulator arm which can either maneuver a payload from the
payload bay for deployment, or capture and retrieve a free-flying
object: not all payloads need the RMS for deployment or retrieval,
however.
The manipulator arm is
installed on left side of the
payload bay and is connected
to a control panel and rota-
tional and translational
controllers at the flight deck
aft station. Normally, the arm
is controlled by one crew
member looking through the
aft windows assisted by a
second crew member control-
ling the closed circuit moni-
tors
The manipulator arm is 50.25
feet long and 15 inches in
diameter and weighs 905
pounds. It has six joints. giving
it six degrees of freedom. Its
joints are roughly equivalent
to human joints with a shoul-
der, [yaw and pitch], elbow
[pitch], and wrist [roll, yaw
and pitch]. At the end of the
arm is the "end effector", used
to grab the payloads.
The arm is normally installed on the left [port] of the payload bay but
can be installed on the right [starboard]: 2 arms can be installed if
necessay but only one can be controlled at a time.
STANDARD END EFFECTOR
The Standard End Effector is the RMS's equivalent of a hand. It is a
hollow canister containing three cables which act as a snare to
payloads which have special grapple fittings.
The End Effector snare mechanism can be "extended" to the open end
of the canister, rotated and "closed" to capture the payload and/or
withdrawn to "rigidize" the payload. The indicators on PANEL A8U
show the status of the End Effector. The snare mechanism is opened
or closed by the capture/release button on the aft rotational control-
ler. Dependent on the MODE switch, the snare can be made rigid
automatically once the snare has been closed or manually by use of
the MAN CONTR switch.
The arm can be controlled with pre-programed computer instructions
by setting the rotary MODE switch on PANEL A8U to Auto 1,2,3,4 or
OPR CMD, and pressing ENTER. The pre-programmed operations
are then carried out.
Pre-programmed operations can be started, interrupted and restarted
by momentary use of the AUTOSEQ PROCEED/STOP switch., or
manually by using the [ and ] keys on your keyboard. Using these in
conjunction with the ALT key moves it in fine steps.
Alternatively, the arm can be controlled by setting the rotary control
to SINGLE, pressing ENTER, and then controlling the joint indicated
on the JOINT rotary switch using the SINGLE/DIRECT DRIVE +/-
switch. The DIRECT setting is a contingency mode which by-passes
the computer intervention which normally ensures "within limit"
control of the arm. The RMS status is shown on the CRT and the
illuminated indicators on PANEL A8U.
The BACKUP panel is a downgraded control system to use if the
primary circuits have failed. It is activated by setting the RMS
POWER switch on Panel A8L to BACKUP. The payload can be
released in emergency by use of the Backup PAYLOAD RELEASE
switch on PANEL A8U. In the event of an emergency, in which the
RMS arm cannot be stowed, and thus the Payload Bay Doors cannot
be closed, the RMS arm can be jettisoned. There are four separate
points on the arm, and all of them are jettisoned individually, using
the switches on Panel A14.
JETTISONING THE ARM
To release the arm, first position the RMS JETT DEADFACE
SWITCH to DEADFACE in order to kill the electronics in the reten-
tion latches. Then position the relevant PYRO RMS ARM SWITCH to
GUILLOTINE, arming the jettison circuits. Positioning the RMS
JETT SWITCH to GUILLOTINE cuts through the wire bundles in
the arm, Then position the two switches to JETT, and the correspond-
ing arm shoulder joint is jettisoned,
Finally, position the PYRO RETENTION LATCHES AFT, MID, FWD
SWITCHES to GUILLOTINE and then to JETT, and the respective
retention latches are also jettisoned.
Except in the case of those using the Payload Assist Module [PAM]I.
payloads are normally latched into the payload bay itself. The pay-
loads are unlatched by using the PL SELECT rotary switch on
PANEL A6 [Numbered 1-5, each number relating to a payload], and
releasing the latches using the well-named LATCH RELEASE
switch. The indicator [one of three ] above the switch shows LAT when
the payload is latched and REL when the latches are fully released.
Latching or unlatching a payload takes about 30 seconds. A captured
payload can be latched when the ABC indicators show gray.
MANNED MANEUVERING UNIT
The MMU [Manned Maneuvering Unit] is used for occasions when
objects to be retrieved are out of reach of a normal tether and the
astronaut has to leave the safety of the Orbiter to float free in space.
First of all, the astronauts must don their space suits. This long and
laborious affair involves a 3 hour 'pre-breathing' period in which the
nitrogen in the astronauts blood streams is purged by breathing pure
oxygen from the space suit's life support systems.
This counteracts the effects of dysbarism, or the 'bends", when the
astronaut goes into the pressureless environment of space.
Once in their suits, the astronauts go through the airlock into the
Payload Bay, and attach themselves to the MMU stowed there. It is a
sort of Backpack with arm rests. as seen in all the best science fiction
movies. The astronaut latches the hard back of his
space suit to the MMU, disconnects the tether. unclamps the MMU
from its location on the Bay wall. and then propels himself out into
space by using the hand controls at the end of each armrest. These
control any or all of the 24 thrusters around the MMU that fire bursts
of nitrogen in the required direction, giving the astronaut full rota-
tional or translational movement.
It is then sImply a question of maneuvering the MMU to the satellite
or whatever that has to be recovered grabbing hold of it and pulling
it back to the cargo bay.
In the unlikely event of the MMU's thrusters failing, the Orbiter can
be maneuvered to within a short distance of the astronaut, who is
then 'retrieved' by use of the RMS arm.
PAYLOAD DEPLOYMENT
The Payload Assist Module [PAM[ formerly called the Spinning Solid
Upper Stage, is designed as a higher altitude booster of satellites
deployed in near Earth orbit but operationally destined for higher
altitudes.
It is used to boost satellites to a geosynchronous transfer orbit [22,300
miles], or other higher energy orbits after deployment from the
Shuttle. There are three versions of the PAM used on the Shuttle:
PAM-D - satellites of up to 2,750 lbs
PAM-DII - 4,150 lbs
PAM-A - 4,400 lbs
The PAMs are also used for non-geosynchronous transfer orbits.
The PAM's deployable stage consists of a spin-stabilized, solid-fuelled
rocket motor, a Payload Attach Fitting [PAF] to mate with the un-
manned spacecraft and the necessary timing, sequencing, power and
control assemblies.
The PAM stages are supported through the spin table at the base of
the motor and through restraints at the PAF. The forward restraints
are retracted before deployment.
PAYLOAD RESCUE
- see MISSIONS - QUICK REFERENCE
COMMUNICATIONS
AUDIO SYSTEM
The Audio System interfaces with the caution and warning system for
reception C/W [toner] signals: with UHF S-band and KU-band
systems for transmission and reception of external systems, both air
to air and air to ground: and with the three TACAN sets for receiver
selection and signal monitoring. With these systems the crew can talk
to themselves. to ground control and to anvone else floating around in
space [i.e. SPACELABS etc.]. During launch and descent the crew
communicate through the headset built in to their helmets, which
have their own push-to-talk buttons. as do the two RHCs, and for the
rest of the time through the smaller 'snoopy caps' with their micro-
phones and switches.
As you wont be able to talk to the space Shuttle, very few of the
communications svstems have been simulated, although you're asked
to go through the motions of doing voice checks shortly before take-
of{ a process that involves the setting of switches on PANELS O5 &
09.
KU BAND ANTENNA
The Shuttle uses a KU band antenna to communicate with both the
ground and with payloads that it's tracking. The KU antenna is
stowed in the Payload bay and deployed shortly after the payload bay
doors are opened.
CAUTION AND WARNING SYSTEM
The Caution and Warning System is designed to alert the crew when
conditions exist that exceed predefined operating limits. The system
is split into three categories: class 1, emergency; class 2, Caution and
Warning; and class 3, alert.
The emergency system recognizes fire, indicated by a siren, or cabin
depressurization, indicated by a klaxon. The Caution and Warning
system generates an alternating alarm tone when an out of limit
condition is detected by direct hardware or the GPCs on any one of
120 different parameters. Less critical conditions are notified by a
steady alert tone.
SMOKE DETECTION AND FIRE SUPPRESSION
These facilities are to be found in the crew cabin avionics bays, crew
cabin and, when relevant, the Spacelab pressurized module. loniza-
tion detection sense smoke unusual concentrations, triggering alarms
and relaying information to the CRTs and to the warning lights on
Panel L1.
Smoke alarms are separated into Group A, in the life support system
beneath the crew cabin floor, and Group B, in the right hand air duct
on the flight deck, and in avionics bays 1,2 & 3A.
If the system detects a concentration of 2,200 +/- 200 micrograms per
m2, or an increase of 22 Mg/m2 in 20 seconds, the smoke detection A
or B light on and the C/W master alarm light, and sounds the siren
in the crew cabin.
CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM [CCTV]
The on-board cameras are used primarily for visual feedback to the
crew of in-orbit operations and for the recording of these operations
for future analysis by flight and ground crews.
The cameras, controlled by the astronauts and by Ground Control.
are nominally monochrome, but have an optional color capability. On-
board monitors are monochrome only, color visual is available only to
Ground Control due to hardware restrictions.
LOCATIONS
Cameras can be mounted at a number of locations within the payload
bay, including two on the RMS arm. They are also used in the mid-
deck and flight deck. Cameras are often mounted on an EVA unit
deployed from the payload bay allowing views of virtually anv exter-
nal part of the Orbiter. Once the doors are open, it is often from this
unit that the views of the Orbiter or Satellites set against the Earth
are seen.
FOOD
Even astronauts have to eat. The facilities for storage, preparation
and consumption of the three daily meals are located on the middeck
of the Orbiter. Gone are the days of space rations, when each meal
consisted of a rehydrated powder that was 'almost exactly but not
quite unlike food' . Today Shuttle crews have a choice of fresh and
preserved foods that are as close to the real thing as you can safely
get 200 miles up. No longer do the pilots have to smuggle their own
food on board, as John Young did on his space flight in 1965. He
offered his Commander a corn beef sandwich.
MEDICINE
The Shuttle is very well equipped in this department, carrying
everything from codeine to cricothyrotomy sets. They must be able to
deal with every emergency from a nosebleed to a heart attack - it's a
long way to the nearest hospital!.
Both Shuttle Orbiter Medical System [SOMS] and the Emergency
Medical Kit [EMK] are located in a middeck forward locker, and
consist of pallets containing various medical supplies. i.e., one has
pills, another bandages, etc.
ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION
The Shuttle is supplied with power from the ground until T-3 minutes
30 seconds. Thereafter, the Electrical Power System [EPS] supplies
the Shuttle systems with electrical power [28 Volts DC]. The power is
produced by reacting Hydrogen and Oxygen to produce electricity. As
a by-product, water and heat for life-support is produced. The main
controls are on PANEL Rl, and while this panel is included in
SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMULATOR. the electrical power distribu-
tion switches won't be active.
2. LANDING
The procedures for landing the Shuttle are laid out in SECTION 3
MISSION PROFILES, but the main components, i(SSMEs, TACAN,
GN&C, etc.) are also detailed earlier in the LAUNCH section. This
section will therefore only contain those aspects of the Orbiter and its
controls that haven't already been covered.
LANDING GEAR
The landing gear consists of steerable nose gear and left and right
main gear locate under the wings adjacent to the main fuselage. The
main gear has brake assemblies with anti-skid protection. The
landing gear is normally deployed at about 250 feet. around 15
seconds before touchdown at an air speed of less than 300 knots.
4. Mission Procedures
LAUNCH [MAJOR MODE 101]
At 31 seconds before launch, control is handed to the Onboard Corn-
puters At T- 6. 6 seconds the GPCs start the three main engines and
bring them up to 90% thrust by T-3 seconds. At a fraction before T-0
the SRBs are ignited and the Mission Timers started. Normally, this
is all carried out by the OPS 1 software which was loaded automati-
cally by the Launch Processing System at T-20 minutes.
MANUAL LAUNCH
In the event of an auto-Pilot failure on launch, the crew must ensure
that the Orbiter is following the correct ascent profile by taking CSS
control.
First, the Orbiter must be at the correct altitude [checked by the
altitude/vertical velocity indicator, which displays the expected figure
over the current one] and pitch attitude [by the attitude director
indicator, as with altitude] at each of the five designated times during
first stage ascent.
Then the crew must check that the engines throttle up and down, and
that the 'Pc <50' chamber pressure message appears on the MM1O2
ascent trajectory CRT display before SRB separation, and that this
occurs on time.
The crew can manually separate the SRBs by positioning the SRB
SEPARATION switch on PANEL C3 to MAN and pressing the SEP
button.
PRE-LAUNCH SEQUENCE
Time is annotated as minutes [sometimes hours], seconds and
hundredths of a second.
T-50:00:00
Crew begins water-boiler pre-activation [see appropriate section].
Set the three BOILER PWR switches to ON, as well as the three
BOILER N2 SPLY switches [PANEL R2].
T-32:00:00
Initiate primary avionics software system and backup flight svstem
(BFS) transfer preparation.
Select the CRTs that you need for take-off by setting the BFS CRT
SELECT switch [PANEL C3] to the 3 + 1 position. The CRTs won't
display until powered up, however, so set the CRT 1/2/3 POWER
switches to ON, and switch the LEFT CRT SEL to 1. Finally, enter
ITEM 25 EXEC on the keypad. These last three operations are all on
PANEL C2.
T-30:00:00
The Ground Crew secures the white room and retires to fall back
area.
T-30:00:00
Crew begins Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pressurization.
Set the two OMS ENG switches [PANEL C3] to ARM/PRESS.
T-30:00:00
Set CABIN VENT switch [PANEL L2] to OPEN - klaxon alarm
should sound.
T-25:00:00
Pilot & Commander conduct voice checks with mission control. To do
this. set the two respective ICOM MODE switches [PANELS O5/9] to
VOX/VOX [Access to all external channels, voice activated] and then
check both -A/G [Air to Ground] switches, the A/A [Air to Air] switch
and the two ICOM switches. all on panels O5/9, by setting them to T/
R [Transmit/receive].
NOTE
For the purposes of this version of SPACE SHUTTLE - THE SIMU-
LATOR. the audio channels won't be synthesized. However, they do
still have to be checked or the Shuttle won't be cleared for takeoff.
T-21:00:00
Set both CABIN VENT switches [PANEL L2] to CLOSE.
T-21:00:00
Under normal circumstances. there is a planned 10 minute hold here,
in case of any contingencies. For the purposes of SPACE SHUTTLE -
THE SIMULATOR. however. this won't be implemented.
T-20:00:00
Now the crew begins the entry procedure for Flight plan OPS-1,
Major Mode 1 - Launch. First set ERR LOG switch [PANEL C2] to
RESET, at which any faults in the GN&C system will be indicated on
CRT1. Then enter SPEC 99 PRO on the keypad - CRT2 will now
indicate the launch trajectory.
T-19:00:00
Now set GPC POWER switch 5 [PANEL O6] to ON, followed by SPEC
99 PRO again. This sets the BFS running, to be used in case of
emergency. Then enter OPS 101 PRO on the keypad, followed by
SPEC 99 PRO once more, setting the Orbiter's computers on course
for launch.
T- 16:00:00
Begin Main Propulsion System (MPS) helium pressurization by
setting the six MPS He ISOL A, B switches [PANEL R2] to OPEN.
T-15:00:00
First abort check. Mission Control cycles the ABORT light
[PANEL F6] thru bright, dim, then off, three times This is followed
by a 10 minute hold, if necessary.
T-09:00:00
Resume countdown and prepare for launch. Set EVENT TIMER
switch [PANEL C2] to START and check that the indicator is count-
ing down.
T-08:00:00
Switch the AC [Alternating Current] sensors to the monitor by
setting the three AC BUS SNSR switches [PANEL R1] to OFF for 1
second, then to MONITOR.
T-07:00:00
Crew-access arm retracts. The crew is now isolated in the Orbiter.
T-06:00:00
Auxiliary power unit (APU) prestart. On PANEL R2, check that the
three BOILER N2 SUPPLY switches and the three BOILER PWR
switches are ON; check the three BOILER CNTLR/HTR switches are
at position A, that the three APU FUEL TK VLV switches are closed,
and both APU FUEL PUMP/VLV COOL switches are at OFF.
Also on PANEL R2, ensure that the three APU CNTLR PWR
switches are at ON, that the three HYD CJRC PUMP are set to GPC,
the three APU AUTO SHUT DOWN switches to ENA and the three
APU SPEED SEL switches to NORM. Finally, set the three APU
CONTROL switches to OFF and the three HYD MAIN PUMP PRESS
selector switches to LOW. This completes the APU prestart checks.
T-05:00:00
Now the crew starts up the APUs. On PANEL R2, set the APU FUEL
TK VLV switch to OPEN. No, 1 APU OPERATE switch to START/
RUN and No.1 HYD MAIN PUMP PRESS 1 to NORM.
In addition. check the HYDRAULIC PRESSURE 1 indicator on
PANEL FS. it should be at HI green. This should also be true for APU
Fuel H20 Qty gauges 2&3.
Finally. on PANEL R2. switch off all three HVD CIRC PUMP
switches and check the HYD PRESS light on PANEL F7 - it should be
off.
T-04:30:00
All external power links are withdrawn and the Orbiter switches to
its own internal power. From now on most operations are expedited
automatically from the GPC.
T-03:45:00
Orbiter aero surfaces are moved to condition the hydraulic system for
take-off.
T-03:00:00
Orbiter main engines gimbal to their launch positions.
T-02:55:00
external Tank oxygen vents close and liquid oxygen tank begins
pressurizing
T-02:00:00
The crew now configures for lift-off. First, the Commander & Pilot set
volume levels on PANELS O5&9 to their requirements [not active on
this version]. then set the three APU AUTO SHUT DOWN switches
[PANEL R2] to INHIBIT.
T-01:57:00
The External Tank hydrogen vents close; liquid hydrogen tank
pressure builds up for flight.
T-00:25:00
Solid Rocket Booster APUs start. Management of countdown switches
over to GPCs.
T-00:03:80
Computers command Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) to start.
T-00:03:46
First SSME ignites, followed by the other two at intervals of twelve
hundredths of a second.
T-00:00:00
Crew checks main engine status - the MPS PRESS Pc gauge on
PANEL F7 should read higher than 90% and the Main Engine Status
lights should now all be on green. A 2.64 second timer for SRB igni-
tion begins before the SRBs ignite at T+00:02:64, with Lift off 36/100
of a second later at T+00:03:00.
This ends the Pre-Launch stage.
FIRST STAGE [MM1O2]
The computer controls the vehicle vertically upwards until the tower
lightning rod is cleared by about 41 feet. The Shuttle now begins a
combined pitch, yaw and roll maneuver which leaves the Orbiter
flying upside down during the ascent. No crew interaction takes place
during MM 102 other than to monitor the instruments and in particu-
lar the MM 102 CRT Launch trajectory display, unless a malfunction
occurs [see MANUAL LAUNCH, below]. The main engines are
throttled back at about 26 seconds and back up at 60 seconds just
before the point of maximum dynamic pressure. At around 2 minutes,
SRB separation takes place and command passes automatically to the
computer, which initiates MM103.
T+00:06:50
Launch tower cleared.
T+00:11:00
Roll into heads down position starts
T+00:30:00
Roll maneuver complete.
T+00:30:00
Crew sets the ADJ ATTITUDE switches on PANELS F6/8 so that it
gives local vertical/horizontal (LVLH) readings.
T+00:44:00
Using the SPEED BK/THROT, the crew throttle down the SSMEs
from 100% to 65%, checking this with the SPEEDBRAKE % gauge on
PANEL F7, as well as the AVVI on PANELS F6/8.
T+01:06:00
SSMEs throttle back up to 100% in the same way.
T+02:00:00
SRBs burn out. This is checked by the crew on the CRT; when com-
bustion chamber pressures are less than 50 psi, the crew receives the
Pc<50 signal.
T+02:07:00
SRB separation. This happens automatically, for contingency, see
SRB in the REFERENCE SECTION.
SECOND STAGE [MM1O3]
The computers continue to control the Shuttle's attitude through from
SRB separation to Main Engine Cutoff [MECO]. The crew monitors
the instrumentation, especially the MM 103 CRT Ascent Trajectory
Display. Just before MECO. the engines are gently throttled back to
65%. Just after MECO, the ET is jettisoned.
If this fails, the crew can manually separate the ET by positioning the
FT SEPARATION switch on PANEL C3 to MANU and pressing the
SEP button. The umbilical doors can be manually closed using the ET
UMBILICAL DOOR switches on PANEL R2. The Orbiter uses RCS
control to maneuver clear of the ET. After successful ET Separation.
Mission Control will give a "Go for Orbit" message and the computer
will be allowed to enter MM1O4.
T+04:20:00
Ground Control sends a Negative Return Call: this tells the crew that
an RTLS Abort is no longer possible.
T+06:30:00
The Shuttle now begins a long shallow dive to prepare for ET separa-
tion.
T+07:00:00
Orbiter reports to Mission Control that they can now reach orbit even
if two main engines fail.
T+07:40:00
By using the SPEEDBK/THROT. the crew throttles down the Main
Engines to keep acceleration less than 3g's.
T+08:28:00
Engines again throttle down to 65% of thrust.
T+08:38:00
MECO: the three engines shut down. MAIN ENGINE STATUS
indicators on PANEL F7 should all be red, indicating MECO.
T+08:54:00
External Tank separation. For manual separation, see EXTERNAL
TANK in the REFERENCE SECTION.
ORBIT INSERTION [MM104 AND MM105]
After MECO and ET separation, the Shuttle is inserted into orbit by
either one or two OMS burns called OMS-1 and OMS-2 respectively.
One OMS burn is called "direct insertion"'. Direct insertion is the term
used to describe the use of only one burn. The MM104 period covers
the OMS-1 burn and the MM105 period covers any OMS-2 burn.
T+09:00:00
With the negative Z translation [Tail Maneuver] complete, the crew
now prepares for Orbital Maneuvering System burn #1 (OMS-1) in
preparation for orbital insertion.
T+10:39:00
The crew now begins the first OMS burn or OMS-1. On PANELS
F6/8. the ADI ATT switches are set to INRTL. the crew then checks
that the Digital Auto-Pilot [DAP] switch on PANEL C3 is set to
AUTO. Finally, the crew enters ITEM 27 EXEC on the keypad.
OMS-1 is cut off at just under two minutes, T+12:24:00.
T+12:30:00
Now the crew undergoes post-OMS-1 activities, beginning with
auxiliary power shutdown. This process is almost exactly the reverse
of APU START. First the three APU AUTO SHUT DN switches are
set to ENA, then the three BOILER CNTLR switches, the three APU
CNTLR/PWR switches and finally the APU OPERATE switch are all
set to OFF. All four sets of switches are on PANEL R2.
The computer program is then changed, with the code OPS 105 PRO
being entered on the keypad.
Next the External Tank umbilical doors are closed and latched,
setting the ET UMBILICAL DOOR switch to GPC/MAN, the L & R
DOOR to CLOSE, the L & R DOOR LATCH switches to LATCH and
the CENTERLINE LATCH to STOW, all on PANEL R2.
This is the last operation for over half an hour, during which the crew
has a chance to further acclimatize themselves to space travel which
is always a shock no matter how much training has been done. At
this point, the crew also takes time to further acquaint themselves
with the Control Panel Layouts and to have a good look at the Earth
from 70 miles plus above the ground.
T+45:58:00
Eventually the crew has to do some work. however, they now have to
prepare for the OMS-2 burn that will insert them into low-Earth orbit
by setting the two OMS ENG switches [PANEL C3] to ARM/PRESS.
Fifty seconds later OMS-2 cut off is achieved and the computer must
be set to a new program by entering OPS 106 PRO on the keypad.
The Orbiter and its crew are now in orbit. This is the end of the
launch sequence
NORMAL LANDING SEQUENCE
DE-ORBIT [MM30l-303]
To de-orbit, the crew select OPS 3, MM301. The life-support system
coolers are checked out and the payload bay doors closed. The Orbiter
is maneuvered to its de-orbit attitude [i.e.. pointing "backwards"] and
the entry targets programmed. The de-orbit burn is selected by
entering MM302, which fires the OMS engines to slow the craft at the
correct time. After the burn, MM303 is selected and the craft is
turned to enter the atmosphere nose first.
During OPS 3 the OMS CRT display is available via the PASS CRT
displays on the Forward Center console.
L-02:00:0O:00
With the Shuttle now orbiting at 17,300 mph and ready for re-entry,
the crew unstows any seats required for mission and payload special-
ists and advises all crew members to go to their landing positions.
They then enter the de-orbit code, OPS 301 PRO into the computer.
L-01:40:00:00
The crew prepares for de-orbit burn by checking the OMS engine
status on PANEL O8. The four L/R He PRESS/VAPOR ISOL switches
must be CLOSED, the eight TANK ISOL switches OPEN and the
four CROSSFEED switches CLOSED.
Then the aft LEFT & RIGHT RCS is checked on PANEL O7. The two
He PRESS switches should be OPEN, the six TANK ISOL switches
and the LEFT/RIGHT RCS CROSSFEED switches set to GPC and
the MASTER RCS CROSSFEED turned OFF.
L-01:24:00:00
Then, the OMS engines having been checked, the crew initiates the
APU pre-start, all controls found on PANEL R2. The three BOILER
N2 SUPPLY switches and the three BLR CNTLR switches should be
ON, the three BOILER CNTLR PWR/HTR switches set to position A
and the three APU FUEL TK VLV switches CLOSED.
L-01:21:00:00
The crew then loads the de-orbit computer program by entering OPS
302 PRO on the keypad.
L-01:17:00:00
Crew receives the Go/No go decision from Mission Control for de-
orbit, entry and landing.
L-01:15:00:00
The crew now maneuvers to a de-orbit burn attitude, i.e. turning the
Orbiter around so it's fiving tail first. First, from PANELS F6&8.
they have to set the FLT CNTLR POWER SWITCH to ON, the ADI
ATT switches to INRTL, the ADI ERROR to MED and the ADI RATE
to MED.
Next, with Rotation Hand Controller, the crew must maneuver to
burn attitude. To do so, compare the pre-determined attitude shown
on the CRT with that shown on the ADl.
L-01:03:00:00
The crew now starts up a single APU.
On PANEL R2, set the #1 APU FUEL TK VLV switch to OPEN and
the #1 APU OPERATE switch to START/RUN. The three HYD CIRC
PUMP switches should be OFF and the HYD PRESS indicator on
PANEL F8 should be LO green.
L-01:02:00:00
The crew now arms the OMS engines. The DAP on PANEL C3 is set
to AUTO, while the L/R OMS He PRESS /VAPOR ISOL A switches
[PANEL O8] go to GPC and the L/R OMS ENG switches go to ARM
PRESS.
L-01:00:15:00
The crew now enters EXEC on the keypad beginning the countdown
for de-orbit burn. This should last for 2-3 minutes. the crew confirms
this with Ground Control after the burn is complete
L-54:00:00
The Shuttle is now at an orbit of 17,100 mph and descending. Now
the crew commences their post-OMS burn activities.
On PANEL 07, the crew checks the aft left and right RCS. The four
He PRESS switches should be OPEN. with the six TANK ISOL
switches and the four CROSSFEED switches at GPC.
On Panel 08, the crew checks the left and right OMS engine status.
The four He PRESS VAPOR SOL switches and the four CROSSFEED
switches should be CLOSED, while the four TANK ISOL SWITCHES
should be OPEN.
L-52:00:00
Now the crew positions the Orbiter for entry by entering OPS 303
PRO. then ITEM 24 [for roll], ITEM 25 [for pitch] and ITEM 26 [for
yaw].
After the ORBITAL DAP [PANEL C3] is set to MAN, the crew ma-
neuvers the Orbiter into the position shown on CRT #1. The Orbiter
should face forward with its nose pointed up between 28 and 38
degrees.
L-50:00:00
The switch positions are now checked and set for entry.
On PANEL L2, CABIN RELIEF A & B go to ENA, the ANTISKID is
turned ON. while the NOSE WHEEL STEERING and the ENTRY
ROLL MODE are both turned OFF.
Then the SPEED BRK/THROT,the SRB SEP and ET SEP switches
[both on PANEL C3] are all set to AUTO, ready for entry.
On PANELS F6&8, the AIR DATA switches go to NAV, the ADI
ERROR and the ADI RATE to MED. while the three HYD MAIN
PUMP PRESS switches [PANEL R2] are set to NORM, at which time
the HYDRAULIC PRESSURE indicators [PANEL F8] should be on
HI green.
L-41 :00:00
The crew now move the Orbiter aero control surfaces to prepare the
hydraulic system for entry and landing.
On the computer keyboard. ITEM 39 EXEC is entered.
L-40:00:00
All propellants in the forward reaction control system are now
dumped overboard. This shifts the Orbiter's balance on point of entry.
On the computer keyboard, enter ITEM 36 EXEC, then ITEM 37
EXEC, then ITEM 38 EXEC.
L-36:00:00
The crew now stops the movement of the aero control surfaces by
entering ITEM 40 EXEC on the keypad.
L-35:00:00
The crew now checks entry attitude. On PANELS F6 & F8, the ADI
should show Roll and Yaw at 0 degrees and Pitch at 28-38 degrees.
L-35:00:00
The crew now inflates their anti-G suits, ready for entry.
L-35:00:00
The computer program is now changed to the next phase, entering
OPS 304 PRO, followed by a check of the switch positions.
SPD BK/THROT and ROLL/YAW should be at AUTO, while BODY
FLP should be on MAN.
RE-ENTRY [MM304]
The Entry Interface [EI] occurs at about 400,000 ft Five minutes
before El, the Orbiter is at about 557,000 ft traveling at about 17,300
mph, about 4,400 nautical miles from the landing site and MM304 is
entered. During the re-entry phase, a complete loss of communication
blackout occurs. This phase continues through the Terminal Area
Energy Management Interface [TAEM] at around 83,000 ft 1,700
mph, 52 nautical miles from the runway. Here the Orbiter circles,
slows down and descends, in line with the TAEM "alignment
cylinder" as seen on the SPEC 50 CRT display. On the display the
pilot sees the cylinder and the angle by which he must bank around it
to correctly line up with the runway. The Orbiter continues to de-
scend until it is at around 10,000 ft at 700 mph and on track to the
runway. At this point the landing phase [MM30S] begins. TACAN
Acquisition is completely automatic at around 120 nautical miles,
though the flight crew can take over control of the vehicle navigation
andlor control at any time [see below]. During MM304 a series of 5
CRT displays are monitored by the crew.
L-30:00:00
Orbit is now at 400,000 ft and still at 17,100 mph, atmospheric entry
now begins. Set BODY FLP [PANEL F2] to AUTO.
L-25:00:00
Orbit is now 312,000 ft, at 16,700 mph. Communication blackout
begins and RCS roll thrusters deactivate.
L-23:00:00
The Shuttle is now orbiting at 15,000 mph, RCS pitch thrusters
deactivate.
L-20:00:00
The Shuttle is now at 230,000 ft and doing 15,000 mph. The Orbiter
is at its maximum outside temperature.
L- 16:00:00
The crew performs their first roll reversal (S-turn).
First the ADI RATE is switched to HI, then the ROLL/YAW to CSS.
both on F6&8. The RHC is then used for the maneuver.
L-12:00:00
At 180,000 ft, and 8,300 mph, the Orbiter leaves the communication
blackout.
L-12:00:00
The second roll reversal is now performed by moving the RHC in the
opposite direction to the last S-turn.
L-10:00:00
The speed brake should now be at 100%.
L-07:00:00
Now the third roll reversal is performed. With the Pilot or Com-
mander, move the RHC in the opposite direction again.
L-06:00:00
At 90,000 ft, and Mach 3.3, move the speed brake to 65% and set the
AIR DATA PROBE switches [PANEL C3] to DEPLOY.
L-05:30:00
The fourth S-Turn comes at 83,000 ft. Mach 2.5.
L-05:30:00
The crew now begins Terminal Area Energy Management (TAEM).
heading for the alignment cylinder. Waypoint One. to line up on the
runway for the final approach.
L-03:00:00
At 50.000 ft. Mach 1.0 the RCS yaw thrusters deactivate. The crew
now uses their rudder pedals for yaw control.
L-02:00:00
Autoland guidance begins at 13,300 ft. At this time the Orbiter will
be doing around 420 mph. The CSS switches for PITCH and ROLL
YAW [PANEL F2] should now be switched ON. The crew now has full
manual control using the RHC and speed brake as required to hold a
22 degree glideslope.
MANUAL RE-ENTRY
The crew will observe the same CRT displays as for MANUAL
LAUNCH and will be able to guide the Orbiter down by
use of Ground Control attitude information. comparing it with cur-
rent attitude. pitch. etc. and adjusting it accordingly.
For full details see MISSION PROFILES below.
LANDING [MM305]
The MM305 computer program takes the Orbiter down the steep
glideslope, about 18 degrees. At a height of 1,750 ft the crew lowers
the landing gear using the ARM and DN push buttons on PANEL F6
or F8, thereby completing the pre-flare maneuver to take the Orbiter
on a 1.5 degree glideslope to the runway. The final flare is made
about 80 ft above the runway to reduce the descent to a safe 9 ft per
second or less. The Orbiter touches down at around 220 mph. MSBLS
Acquisition is completely automatic at around 8 nautical miles,
though the flight crew can take over control of the vehicle navigation
and/ or control at any time [see below]. During MM305 the Horizontal
situation can be monitored on the CRT by the crew.
MANUAL LANDING
Once under atmospheric conditions and having gone through all the
usual fuel dump processes, the Orbiter handles like any other aerody-
namic object. The wing and tail PANELS are used to slow down and
correctly align the Orbiter for landing, checking attitude, speed, pitch,
etc. with the CRT displays.
L-00:30:00
Crew begins pre-flare at 2,000 ft., 350 mph. Using RHC and speed
brakes, the glideslope is adjusted to 1.5 degrees. Enter OPS 305 PRO
on the keypad.
L-00:17:00
Pre-flare is completed at around 135 ft., with the Shuttle doing
around 340 mph. The landing gear is now armed by lifting the cover
of the LANDING GEAR ARM switch [PANEL F6] and pushing.
L-00:14:00
Landing gear is deployed at 90 ft., at 330 mph. The cover of the
LANDING GEAR DN switch [PANEL F6] is lifted and the button
pushed.
L-00:00:00
0 ft., 215 mph - Touchdown.
Set the Speed brake to 100% and use the RHC to pitch forward in
order to lower nose and full forward when the nose wheel touches
down. Using pedals, brake as required.
L+00:02:00
At 0 ft. 0 mph, the Orbiter has finally stopped. Push the Speed brake
full forward to maximum.
Next. turn off the APU's by setting the three APU AUTO SHUT
DOWN switches [PANEL R2] to ENA.
L+00:04:00
Deactivate the OMS and RCS systems to turn the Orbiter over to the
ground crew.
On PANEL C3, turn off both the OMS ENG switches. On PANEL 07,
set the following switches:
For L & R aft RCS:
MANIFOLD ISOL [10] - OPEN
TANK ISOL [6]- OPEN
He PRESS [4] - CLOSED
CROSSFEED [4] - CLOSED
On PANEL O8, for L & R OMS:
He PRESS/VAP ISOL [4] - OPEN
CROSSFEED [4] - CLOSED
For forward RCS:
MANIFOLD ISOL [5] - OPEN
TANK ISOL [2]-OPEN
He PRESS [2] - OPEN
On the computer keyboard, enter OPS 901 PRO, turning the Shuttle
off.
Roughly 27 minutes after touchdown, the crew can leave the Orbiter
and enter the egress vehicle via the egresse slide.
