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STS-91 was the 24th flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery and served as the final mission to the Mir space station, concluding the Shuttle-Mir program.
Answer: True
Explanation: The STS-91 mission, the 24th flight of Space Shuttle Discovery, was indeed the final mission to the Mir space station, thereby concluding the Shuttle-Mir program.
The STS-91 mission was operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with NASA.
Answer: False
Explanation: The STS-91 mission was operated by NASA, the U.S. government agency, not the European Space Agency (ESA).
The COSPAR ID for STS-91 was 1998-034A, and its SATCAT number was 25356, which are designations for tracking objects in space.
Answer: True
Explanation: The COSPAR ID 1998-034A and SATCAT number 25356 are indeed the correct designations for STS-91, used for tracking space objects.
The STS-91 mission had a total duration of exactly 10 days from launch to landing.
Answer: False
Explanation: The STS-91 mission's total duration was 9 days, 19 hours, 54 minutes, and 2 seconds, not exactly 10 days.
The Space Shuttle Atlantis was the orbiter utilized for the STS-91 mission, making it its 24th flight.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Space Shuttle Discovery, not Atlantis, was the orbiter used for the STS-91 mission, which was Discovery's 24th flight.
For STS-91, the Space Shuttle Discovery had a launch mass of 134,434 kilograms and a landing mass of 117,861 kilograms.
Answer: True
Explanation: The launch mass of Space Shuttle Discovery for STS-91 was 134,434 kilograms, and its landing mass was 117,861 kilograms, as recorded for the mission.
The payload mass carried by Discovery during STS-91 was approximately 25,000 pounds.
Answer: False
Explanation: The payload mass for STS-91 was 16,537 kilograms, which equates to approximately 36,458 pounds, not 25,000 pounds.
STS-91 launched on 2 June 1998, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
Answer: True
Explanation: STS-91 launched on June 2, 1998, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, as documented for the mission.
The STS-91 mission concluded its flight on 12 June 1998, landing at Edwards Air Force Base.
Answer: False
Explanation: The STS-91 mission concluded on June 12, 1998, but landed at Runway 15 of the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, not Edwards Air Force Base.
STS-91 operated in a geocentric low Earth orbit with an orbital inclination of 51.7 degrees.
Answer: True
Explanation: STS-91 maintained a geocentric low Earth orbit with an orbital inclination of 51.7 degrees, consistent with its mission profile.
What was the primary designation and purpose of the STS-91 mission?
Answer: Space Transportation System-91, the final Space Shuttle mission to the Mir space station.
Explanation: STS-91, or Space Transportation System-91, was the final Space Shuttle mission to the Mir space station, concluding the Shuttle-Mir program.
Which U.S. government agency operated the STS-91 mission?
Answer: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Explanation: The STS-91 mission was operated by NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is the U.S. government agency responsible for the civilian space program.
What was the COSPAR ID associated with STS-91?
Answer: 1998-034A
Explanation: The COSPAR ID for STS-91 was 1998-034A, a designation used for tracking objects in space.
What was the total duration of the STS-91 mission?
Answer: 9 days, 19 hours, 54 minutes, and 2 seconds
Explanation: The STS-91 mission had a total duration of 9 days, 19 hours, 54 minutes, and 2 seconds from launch to landing.
Which Space Shuttle orbiter was used for the STS-91 mission?
Answer: Space Shuttle Discovery
Explanation: The Space Shuttle Discovery was the orbiter utilized for the STS-91 mission, marking its 24th flight.
What was the launch mass of the Space Shuttle Discovery for STS-91?
Answer: 134,434 kilograms
Explanation: The launch mass of the Space Shuttle Discovery for STS-91 was 134,434 kilograms.
When did STS-91 launch?
Answer: June 2, 1998
Explanation: The STS-91 mission launched on June 2, 1998, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
Where did the STS-91 mission conclude its flight?
Answer: Runway 15 of the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center
Explanation: The STS-91 mission concluded its flight with a landing at Runway 15 of the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center.
What was the orbital inclination for STS-91?
Answer: 51.7 degrees
Explanation: STS-91 operated in a low Earth orbit with an orbital inclination of 51.7 degrees.
What was the specific launch time for STS-91 in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)?
Answer: 22:06:24 UTC
Explanation: The specific launch time for STS-91 was 22:06:24 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on June 2, 1998.
What was the specific landing time for STS-91 in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)?
Answer: 18:00:18 UTC
Explanation: The specific landing time for STS-91 was 18:00:18 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on June 12, 1998.
The STS-91 mission launched with 6 astronauts and landed with 7 astronauts, indicating a crew exchange.
Answer: True
Explanation: STS-91 indeed launched with 6 astronauts and landed with 7, a configuration that facilitated a crew exchange with the Mir space station.
Charles J. Precourt served as the Pilot for STS-91, marking his first spaceflight.
Answer: False
Explanation: Charles J. Precourt served as the Commander for STS-91, not the Pilot, and it was his fourth and final spaceflight, not his first.
Franklin Chang-Díaz, a dual citizen of the United States and Costa Rica, served as Mission Specialist 1 on his sixth spaceflight.
Answer: True
Explanation: Franklin Chang-Díaz, a dual citizen of the United States and Costa Rica, served as Mission Specialist 1 on STS-91, which was indeed his sixth spaceflight.
Janet L. Kavandi served as Mission Specialist 2 and Flight Engineer for STS-91, on her third spaceflight.
Answer: False
Explanation: Janet L. Kavandi served as Mission Specialist 3 on her first spaceflight, not Mission Specialist 2 and Flight Engineer on her third.
Valery Ryumin, a Russian cosmonaut, was Mission Specialist 4 on STS-91, which was his fourth and final spaceflight.
Answer: True
Explanation: Valery Ryumin, a Russian cosmonaut, served as Mission Specialist 4 on STS-91, which was indeed his fourth and final spaceflight.
Andrew S. W. Thomas joined the Discovery crew for landing after completing 130 days on the International Space Station.
Answer: False
Explanation: Andrew S. W. Thomas joined the Discovery crew for landing after completing 130 days aboard the Mir space station, not the International Space Station.
Commander Charles J. Precourt completed five spaceflights by the end of STS-91.
Answer: False
Explanation: Commander Charles J. Precourt completed four spaceflights by the end of STS-91, which was his final mission, not five.
Mission Specialist 1 Franklin Chang-Díaz had completed six spaceflights by the end of STS-91.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mission Specialist 1 Franklin Chang-Díaz had indeed completed six spaceflights by the conclusion of the STS-91 mission.
Mission Specialist 4 Valery Ryumin completed his third spaceflight with STS-91.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mission Specialist 4 Valery Ryumin completed his fourth and final spaceflight with STS-91, not his third.
How many crew members were on board for the landing of STS-91?
Answer: 7 astronauts
Explanation: The STS-91 mission landed with 7 astronauts, following a crew exchange during the mission.
Who served as the Commander for the STS-91 mission?
Answer: Charles J. Precourt
Explanation: Charles J. Precourt served as the Commander for the STS-91 mission, which was his fourth and final spaceflight.
Which astronaut was the Pilot for STS-91 and was on his first spaceflight?
Answer: Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie
Explanation: Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie served as the Pilot for STS-91, which was his inaugural spaceflight.
Which Mission Specialist on STS-91 was a dual citizen of the United States and Costa Rica?
Answer: Franklin Chang-Díaz
Explanation: Franklin Chang-Díaz, Mission Specialist 1 on STS-91, held dual citizenship with the United States and Costa Rica.
Who held the roles of Mission Specialist 2 and Flight Engineer on STS-91?
Answer: Wendy B. Lawrence
Explanation: Wendy B. Lawrence served as both Mission Specialist 2 and Flight Engineer for the STS-91 mission.
Which Russian cosmonaut was part of the STS-91 crew as Mission Specialist 4?
Answer: Valery Ryumin
Explanation: Valery Ryumin, a Russian cosmonaut, served as Mission Specialist 4 on STS-91, marking his fourth and final spaceflight.
How many spaceflights had Mission Specialist 2 Wendy B. Lawrence completed by the end of STS-91?
Answer: Three
Explanation: By the conclusion of STS-91, Mission Specialist 2 Wendy B. Lawrence had completed three spaceflights.
How many spaceflights had Mission Specialist 3 Janet L. Kavandi completed by the end of STS-91?
Answer: One
Explanation: Mission Specialist 3 Janet L. Kavandi completed her first spaceflight with the STS-91 mission.
Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the Mir space station on 4 June 1998, at an altitude of 208 miles, marking Discovery's first docking with Mir.
Answer: True
Explanation: Space Shuttle Discovery successfully docked with the Mir space station on June 4, 1998, at an altitude of 208 miles, marking a significant first for the orbiter.
Discovery docked with the Kvant-1 module of the Mir space station during STS-91.
Answer: False
Explanation: Discovery docked with the SO starboard port of the Mir space station, not the Kvant-1 module, during the STS-91 mission.
Discovery remained docked with the Mir space station for exactly 4 days.
Answer: False
Explanation: Discovery was docked with the Mir space station for 3 days, 23 hours, and 3 minutes, which is not exactly 4 days.
The hatches between Discovery and Mir opened on June 4, 1998, and closed on June 8, 1998, for undocking.
Answer: True
Explanation: The hatches between Discovery and Mir opened on June 4, 1998, and closed on June 8, 1998, facilitating the crew and cargo transfers during the docked phase of the mission.
During the docking period, crews transferred over 500 kilograms of water and exchanged almost 2,130 kilograms of cargo between Mir and Discovery.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the docking period, the crews successfully transferred over 500 kilograms of water and exchanged approximately 2,130 kilograms of cargo between Mir and Discovery.
By the end of STS-91, a total of five U.S. astronauts had spent 907 days aboard the Mir space station.
Answer: False
Explanation: By the conclusion of STS-91, a total of seven U.S. astronauts had spent 907 days aboard the Mir space station as long-duration crew members, not five.
When did Space Shuttle Discovery dock with the Mir space station during STS-91?
Answer: June 4, 1998
Explanation: Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the Mir space station on June 4, 1998, at an altitude of 208 miles.
Which docking port on Mir was used by Discovery during STS-91?
Answer: SO starboard port
Explanation: Discovery docked with the SO starboard port of the Mir space station during the STS-91 mission.
What was the duration of Discovery's docking with Mir?
Answer: 3 days, 23 hours, and 3 minutes
Explanation: Discovery remained docked with the Mir space station for a duration of 3 days, 23 hours, and 3 minutes.
How much water was transferred from Discovery to Mir during the mission?
Answer: Over 1,100 pounds
Explanation: During the mission, over 500 kilograms, or approximately 1,100 pounds, of water were transferred from Discovery to Mir.
By the conclusion of STS-91, how many U.S. astronauts had spent time as long-duration crew members aboard Mir?
Answer: Seven
Explanation: By the end of STS-91, a total of seven U.S. astronauts had served as long-duration crew members aboard the Mir space station.
Long-term U.S. experiments like the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) and tissue engineering co-culture (COCULT) investigations were transferred from Mir to Discovery.
Answer: True
Explanation: Long-term U.S. experiments, including the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) and tissue engineering co-culture (COCULT) investigations, were indeed transferred from Mir to Discovery for return to Earth.
The transferred U.S. experiments were stored exclusively in Discovery's middeck locker area.
Answer: False
Explanation: The transferred U.S. experiments were stored in both Discovery's middeck locker area and the SPACEHAB single module, not exclusively in the middeck.
The Mir 25 and STS-91 crews conducted Risk Mitigation Experiments (RMEs) and Human Life Sciences (HLS) investigations in addition to cargo transfers.
Answer: True
Explanation: Beyond cargo transfers, the Mir 25 and STS-91 crews actively conducted Risk Mitigation Experiments (RMEs) and Human Life Sciences (HLS) investigations.
STS-91 carried a prototype of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), an instrument designed to search for dark and missing matter.
Answer: True
Explanation: STS-91 indeed carried a prototype of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), an instrument specifically designed for the search for dark and missing matter.
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) was powered up on Flight Day 2 of the STS-91 mission.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) was powered up on Flight Day 1 of the STS-91 mission, not Flight Day 2.
Discovery's payload bay housed eight Get Away Special experiments, while combustion and crystal growth experiments were in the mid-deck.
Answer: True
Explanation: Discovery's payload bay contained eight Get Away Special experiments, and the mid-deck housed combustion and crystal growth experiments, among others.
Which of the following was NOT a long-term U.S. experiment transferred from Mir to Discovery?
Answer: Advanced combustion dynamics experiment
Explanation: The Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS), tissue engineering co-culture (COCULT) investigations, and crystal growth experiments were transferred from Mir to Discovery. Advanced combustion dynamics experiment is not listed among them.
Where were the U.S. experiments transferred from Mir stored within Discovery?
Answer: In Discovery's middeck locker area and the SPACEHAB single module.
Explanation: The U.S. experiments transferred from Mir were stored in both Discovery's middeck locker area and the SPACEHAB single module in the payload bay.
What significant scientific instrument prototype was carried by STS-91, designed to search for dark and missing matter?
Answer: Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS)
Explanation: STS-91 carried a prototype of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), a crucial instrument designed to investigate dark and missing matter in the universe.
When was the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) powered up during the STS-91 mission?
Answer: Flight Day 1
Explanation: The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) was powered up on Flight Day 1 of the STS-91 mission, shortly after launch.
STS-91 was the first mission to use the super lightweight external tank (SLWT), which was 7,500 pounds lighter than previous tanks.
Answer: True
Explanation: STS-91 marked the debut of the super lightweight external tank (SLWT), which was indeed 7,500 pounds lighter than its predecessors, offering significant performance benefits.
The super lightweight external tank (SLWT) was constructed from a titanium alloy, making it 30 percent stronger.
Answer: False
Explanation: The super lightweight external tank (SLWT) was constructed from an aluminum lithium alloy, not a titanium alloy, which contributed to its increased strength and reduced density.
The primary benefit of the SLWT was to reduce the overall mission duration by allowing faster ascent to orbit.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary benefit of the super lightweight external tank (SLWT) was to provide additional payload capacity for future missions, not to reduce mission duration or allow faster ascent.
The Shuttle crew tested the Orbiter Space Vision System, which was intended for use during International Space Station assembly missions.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Shuttle crew did test the Orbiter Space Vision System, an important checkout for its planned use in future International Space Station assembly missions.
What new technology was introduced on STS-91?
Answer: The super lightweight external tank (SLWT).
Explanation: STS-91 was notable for introducing the super lightweight external tank (SLWT), a significant technological advancement for the Space Shuttle program.
What material was the super lightweight external tank (SLWT) constructed from?
Answer: Aluminum lithium alloy
Explanation: The super lightweight external tank (SLWT) was constructed from an advanced aluminum lithium alloy, contributing to its reduced weight and increased strength.
What was the primary benefit of using the super lightweight external tank (SLWT) for future missions?
Answer: Additional payload capacity.
Explanation: The primary benefit of the super lightweight external tank (SLWT) was to enhance the Space Shuttle's capabilities by providing additional payload capacity for subsequent missions, especially for International Space Station assembly.
What was one of the other checkouts performed by the Shuttle crew during STS-91?
Answer: Evaluation of new electronics and software for the orbiter's robot arm.
Explanation: Among other checkouts, the Shuttle crew evaluated new electronics and software for the orbiter's robot arm, a critical system for future International Space Station assembly.
The Shuttle-Mir program (Phase 1) was a precursor to the International Space Station, establishing continuous American presence in space and developing international partnership procedures.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Shuttle-Mir program (Phase 1) was indeed a vital precursor to the International Space Station, successfully establishing continuous American presence in space and fostering international partnership procedures.
Discovery experienced a problem with its K-u band communications system, preventing high-rate communications like television signals.
Answer: True
Explanation: Discovery did experience a problem with its K-u band communications system, which unfortunately prevented high-rate communications, including television signals, from being transmitted.
The K-u band system failure was successfully repaired by the crew during the mission.
Answer: False
Explanation: The K-u band system failure was due to an inaccessible component, meaning the crew was unable to repair it during the mission.
Television broadcasts from Mir were unaffected by communication issues during the mission.
Answer: False
Explanation: Television broadcasts from Mir were indeed affected by communication issues, specifically a problem between a Russian ground station and mission control, which limited transmissions to audio only.
The Shuttle-Mir program (Phase 1) was primarily focused on developing new propulsion technologies for Mars missions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Shuttle-Mir program (Phase 1) was primarily focused on establishing a continuous American presence in space and developing international partnership procedures as a precursor to the International Space Station, not on Mars mission propulsion technologies.
What was the significance of STS-91 for the Shuttle-Mir program?
Answer: It was the final Shuttle/Mir Docking Mission, concluding Phase 1.
Explanation: STS-91 held the significant distinction of being the final Shuttle/Mir Docking Mission, thereby concluding Phase 1 of the program.
What communication problem affected Discovery during the mission?
Answer: Problem with its K-u band communications system, preventing high-rate transmissions.
Explanation: Discovery encountered a problem with its K-u band communications system, which impaired its ability to transmit high-rate data and television signals to ground stations.
How was AMS data managed despite the K-u band communication issue?
Answer: A bypass system allowed AMS data to be downlinked via S-band/FM when in range of a ground station, with remaining data recorded on board.
Explanation: Despite the K-u band issue, AMS data was managed through a bypass system that enabled S-band/FM downlink when possible, with remaining data recorded on board Discovery.
What was identified as the cause of the K-u band system failure?
Answer: A component not accessible to the crew for repair.
Explanation: The K-u band system failure was attributed to an internal component that was physically inaccessible to the crew, preventing any in-flight repairs.