What was the primary designation and purpose of the STS-91 mission?

STS-91 was officially known as Space Transportation System-91 and served as the 24th flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Its primary purpose was to be the final Space Shuttle mission to the Mir space station, marking the conclusion of the Shuttle-Mir program.

Which space agency operated the STS-91 mission?

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, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.

What was the COSPAR ID and SATCAT number associated with STS-91?

The COSPAR ID for STS-91 was 1998-034A, and its SATCAT number was 25356. These are international and U.S. military designations, respectively, used to identify and track objects in space.

What was the total duration of the STS-91 mission?

The STS-91 mission lasted for a total 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?

The Space Shuttle Discovery, designated OV-103, was the spacecraft utilized for the STS-91 mission, making it Discovery's 24th flight.

What were the launch and landing masses of the Space Shuttle Discovery for STS-91?

For the STS-91 mission, the Space Shuttle Discovery had a launch mass of 134,434 kilograms and a landing mass of 117,861 kilograms (approximately 259,839 pounds).

What was the payload mass carried by Discovery during STS-91?

The payload mass carried by the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-91 mission was 16,537 kilograms, which is approximately 36,458 pounds.

How many crew members were on board for the launch and landing of STS-91?

The STS-91 mission had a crew size of 6 astronauts for launch and 7 astronauts for landing, indicating a crew exchange during the mission.

Who served as the Commander for the STS-91 mission, and what was his experience level?

Charles J. Precourt served as the Commander for the STS-91 mission. This was his fourth and final spaceflight, demonstrating his extensive experience in space operations.

Who was the Pilot for STS-91, and how experienced was he?

Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie was the Pilot for the STS-91 mission. This marked his first spaceflight, indicating he was a relatively new astronaut at the time of this mission.

Which astronaut served as Mission Specialist 1 and what was notable about his background and experience?

Franklin Chang-Díaz served as Mission Specialist 1. He was a dual citizen of the United States and Costa Rica, and this mission was his sixth spaceflight, highlighting his significant contributions to space exploration.

Who was Mission Specialist 2 and Flight Engineer for STS-91, and what was her flight experience?

Wendy B. Lawrence held the roles of Mission Specialist 2 and Flight Engineer on STS-91. This mission was her third spaceflight, showcasing her growing experience in space missions.

Who was Mission Specialist 3 on STS-91, and what was her experience level?

Janet L. Kavandi served as Mission Specialist 3 for STS-91. This mission was her first spaceflight, marking her debut in space exploration.

Which Russian cosmonaut was part of the STS-91 crew, and what was his spaceflight history?

Valery Ryumin, representing the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA), was Mission Specialist 4 on STS-91. This was his fourth and final spaceflight, indicating a long and distinguished career in space.

Who was the astronaut that joined the Discovery crew for landing, and what was his prior assignment?

Andrew S. W. Thomas, a dual citizen of the United States and Australia, joined the Discovery crew for landing as Mission Specialist 5. He had previously been part of the Mir EO-25 increment, completing 130 days living and working on Mir before transferring to Discovery.

When and from where did STS-91 launch?

STS-91 launched on 2 June 1998, at 22:06:24 UTC, from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

When and where did the STS-91 mission conclude its flight?

The STS-91 mission concluded its flight on 12 June 1998, at 18:00:18 UTC, landing at Runway 15 of the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at Kennedy Space Center.

When did Space Shuttle Discovery dock with the Mir space station during STS-91, and at what altitude?

Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the Mir space station at 16:01 UTC on 4 June 1998, at an altitude of 208 miles. This was the first time Discovery had docked with Mir.

Which docking port on Mir was used by Discovery during STS-91?

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?

Discovery remained docked with the Mir space station for a period of 3 days, 23 hours, and 3 minutes.

When did the hatches open and close between Discovery and Mir?

The hatches between Discovery and Mir opened at 2:34 pm on 4 June 1998, the same day as docking. They closed for undocking at 9:07 am on 8 June 1998.

What was the significance of STS-91 for the Shuttle-Mir program?

STS-91 was the final Shuttle/Mir Docking Mission, bringing an end to Phase 1 of the program. This program was crucial as a precursor to the International Space Station, establishing continuous American presence in space and developing international partnership procedures and hardware.

What new technology was introduced on STS-91, and what were its key features?

STS-91 was the first mission to use the super lightweight external tank (SLWT). This tank was the same size as previous external tanks, measuring 154 feet (47 meters) long and 27 feet (8.2 meters) in diameter, but was 7,500 pounds (3,400 kilograms) lighter.

How was the super lightweight external tank (SLWT) improved structurally and in terms of materials?

The SLWT was constructed from an aluminum lithium alloy, and its structural design was enhanced to be 30 percent stronger and 5 percent less dense than previous tanks. The walls of its hydrogen tank featured an orthogonal waffle-like pattern for increased strength and stability.

What was the primary benefit of using the super lightweight external tank (SLWT) for future missions?

The improvements in the super lightweight external tank (SLWT) provided additional payload capacity, which was a significant advantage for future missions, particularly those involved in the assembly of the International Space Station.

How much cargo and water were exchanged between Mir and Discovery during the mission?

During the four days that Discovery was docked with Mir, the crews transferred over 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of water and exchanged almost 2,130 kilograms (4,700 pounds) of cargo, including experiments and supplies.

What was the total duration U.S. astronauts spent on Mir as long-duration crew members by the end of STS-91?

By the conclusion of STS-91, a total of seven U.S. astronauts had spent 907 days aboard the Russian Mir space station as long-duration crew members.

Which long-term U.S. experiments were transferred from Mir to Discovery?

Long-term U.S. experiments transferred from Mir to Discovery included the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS), the tissue engineering co-culture (COCULT) investigations, and two crystal growth experiments.

Where were the transferred U.S. experiments stored within Discovery?

The U.S. experiments transferred from Mir were stored in Discovery's middeck locker area and within the SPACEHAB single module located in the orbiter's payload bay.

What other types of investigations did the Mir 25 and STS-91 crews conduct?

In addition to cargo transfers and experiment relocations, the Mir 25 and STS-91 crews conducted Risk Mitigation Experiments (RMEs) and Human Life Sciences (HLS) investigations.

What significant scientific instrument prototype was carried by STS-91?

STS-91 carried a prototype of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) into space, which is an instrument designed to search for dark and missing matter in the universe.

When was the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) powered up during the mission?

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) was powered up on Flight Day 1 of the STS-91 mission.

How was the data from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) managed despite the K-u band issue?

Initially, AMS data was recorded on board Discovery due to the K-u band problem. However, on 3 June 1998, the crew established a bypass system that allowed AMS data to be downlinked via S-band/FM communications when the orbiter was within range of a ground station. Any data that could not be transmitted was recorded on board throughout the mission.

What was identified as the cause of the K-u band system failure?

The K-u band system failure was determined to be located in a component that was not accessible to the crew, meaning they could not repair it during the mission.

What were some of the other experiments and checkouts performed by the Shuttle crew?

The Shuttle crew conducted a checkout of the orbiter's robot arm to evaluate new electronics and software, and tested the Orbiter Space Vision System, which was intended for use during International Space Station assembly missions.

What types of experiments were housed in Discovery's payload bay and mid-deck crew cabin?

In Discovery's payload bay, eight Get Away Special experiments were carried. Additionally, combustion, crystal growth, and radiation monitoring experiments were conducted in the mid-deck crew cabin area.

What did the image caption of Discovery's landing signify?

The image caption indicated that the photograph depicted the Space Shuttle Discovery landing at Kennedy Space Center, marking the conclusion of the final mission in the Shuttle-Mir program.

What information was provided about the crew members in the STS-91 crew photo?

The STS-91 crew photo caption identified the astronauts from left to right, with Gorie and Precourt in the front row, and Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Ryumin, and Thomas in the back row.

What was the specific launch date and time for STS-91?

The STS-91 mission launched on June 2, 1998, at 22:06:24 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

What was the specific landing date and time for STS-91?

The STS-91 mission landed on June 12, 1998, at 18:00:18 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

How many spaceflights had Commander Charles J. Precourt completed by the end of STS-91?

By the conclusion of STS-91, Commander Charles J. Precourt had completed four spaceflights, with STS-91 being his last.

How many spaceflights had Pilot Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie completed by the end of STS-91?

Pilot Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie completed his first spaceflight with the STS-91 mission.

How many spaceflights had Mission Specialist 1 Franklin Chang-Díaz completed by the end of STS-91?

Mission Specialist 1 Franklin Chang-Díaz had completed six spaceflights by the end of STS-91.

How many spaceflights had Mission Specialist 2 Wendy B. Lawrence completed by the end of STS-91?

Mission Specialist 2 Wendy B. Lawrence had completed three spaceflights by the end of STS-91.

How many spaceflights had Mission Specialist 3 Janet L. Kavandi completed by the end of STS-91?

Mission Specialist 3 Janet L. Kavandi completed her first spaceflight with the STS-91 mission.

How many spaceflights had Mission Specialist 4 Valery Ryumin completed by the end of STS-91?

Mission Specialist 4 Valery Ryumin had completed four spaceflights by the end of STS-91, which was also his last.

Sts-91 Wiki: Echoes from Orbit: The Legacy of STS-91

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Mission Overview

The Final Rendezvous

STS-91 marked a significant milestone in space exploration as the 24th flight of Space Shuttle Discovery and, critically, the final Space Shuttle mission to the Russian Mir space station. This mission concluded the Phase 1 Program, a vital precursor to the International Space Station (ISS), which aimed to establish a continuous American presence in space and develop the necessary procedures and hardware for future international partnerships.

Mission Profile

Launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 2 June 1998, at 22:06:24 UTC, STS-91 embarked on a mission lasting 9 days, 19 hours, 54 minutes, and 2 seconds. The mission was operated by NASA, with Discovery serving as the spacecraft. Its COSPAR ID was 1998-034A and SATCAT number 25356.

Orbital Dynamics

During its tenure in space, Discovery operated in a Low Earth Orbit. The mission's orbital parameters included a perigee altitude of 350 kilometers (220 miles) and an apogee altitude of 373 kilometers (232 miles). The orbital inclination was 51.7 degrees, with a period of 91.8 minutes, ensuring optimal conditions for its rendezvous with Mir.

The Crew

Astronaut Roster

The STS-91 mission involved a crew of six launching astronauts and welcomed a seventh for the return journey, marking a unique exchange. This diverse team was instrumental in the success of the final Shuttle-Mir docking.

STS-91 Crew Details
Position	Launching Astronaut	Landing Astronaut
Commander	Charles J. Precourt (Fourth and last spaceflight)
Pilot	Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie (First spaceflight)
Mission Specialist 1	Franklin Chang-Díaz (Sixth spaceflight)
Mission Specialist 2 Flight Engineer	Wendy B. Lawrence (Third spaceflight)
Mission Specialist 3	Janet L. Kavandi (First spaceflight)
Mission Specialist 4	Valery Ryumin, RKA (Fourth and last spaceflight)
Mission Specialist 5	None	Andy Thomas (EO-25, Second spaceflight)

Seat Assignments

The intricate logistics of spaceflight extend to the precise seating arrangements for launch and landing. For STS-91, the configuration accommodated the crew exchange, ensuring all personnel were safely positioned for critical mission phases.

STS-91 Crew Seat Assignments
Seat	Launch	Landing
1	Precourt
2	Gorie
3	Chang-Diaz	Kavandi
4	Lawrence
5	Kavandi	Chang-Diaz
6	Ryumin
7	Unused	Thomas

Seats 1–4 are located on the flight deck, while seats 5–7 are on the mid-deck.

Mission Highlights

Bridging to the ISS

STS-91 was more than just another mission; it was the culmination of the Shuttle-Mir Program, a critical Phase 1 initiative designed to lay the groundwork for the International Space Station. This program was instrumental in maintaining a continuous American presence in space and in developing the complex procedures and hardware essential for future international space partnerships.

Innovative Tank Design

A notable technological advancement on STS-91 was the inaugural use of the Super Lightweight External Tank (SLWT). While maintaining the same dimensions as previous external tanks (154 feet long, 27 feet in diameter), the SLWT was an impressive 7,500 pounds (3,400 kg) lighter. This weight reduction was achieved through the use of an aluminum-lithium alloy and an improved structural design, featuring an orthogonal waffle-like pattern on the hydrogen tank walls, making it 30 percent stronger and 5 percent less dense. These enhancements significantly boosted the payload capacity for future International Space Station assembly missions.

Cargo & Crew Exchange

The docking of Discovery with Mir, a first for this orbiter, occurred at 16:01 UTC on 4 June 1998, at an altitude of 208 miles. Upon hatch opening, astronaut Andy Thomas officially transferred to Discovery's crew, concluding his 130-day stay on Mir. This marked the end of 907 cumulative days spent by seven U.S. astronauts as long-duration crew members aboard the Russian space station. Over four days, the Mir 25 and STS-91 crews meticulously exchanged over 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) of water and nearly 2,130 kilograms (4,700 lb) of cargo, experiments, and supplies. Long-term U.S. experiments, including the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) and tissue engineering co-culture (COCULT) investigations, along with two crystal growth experiments, were relocated to Discovery's middeck locker area and the SPACEHAB single module. The crews also conducted crucial Risk Mitigation Experiments (RMEs) and Human Life Sciences (HLS) investigations.

Technology & Systems

Docking & Separation

The precise maneuver of docking Discovery to Mir was executed flawlessly on 4 June 1998, at 16:01 UTC. Hatches between the two spacecraft were opened at 2:34 PM the same day, initiating the transfer operations. After nearly four days of joint operations, the hatches were closed for undocking at 9:07 AM on 8 June, with separation occurring at 12:01 PM. This successful rendezvous and departure concluded the final Shuttle-Mir docking mission, bringing Phase 1 of the International Space Station program to its close.

Communication Challenges

The mission encountered a significant technical hurdle with Discovery's K_u-band communications system. A component failure, inaccessible to the crew, prevented the system from transmitting high-rate communications, including television signals, to ground stations. While uplink transmissions were still possible, the crew had to devise a bypass system on 3 June 1998, enabling Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) data to be downlinked via S-band/FM communications when the orbiter was within range of a ground station. Any data not captured by ground stations was recorded onboard. Furthermore, television broadcasts from Mir were also hampered by a problem between a Russian ground station and the mission control center outside Moscow, limiting communications to audio only on NASA television.

Orbiter Systems Check

Beyond its primary objectives, STS-91 also included critical evaluations of Discovery's onboard systems. The orbiter's robot arm underwent a thorough checkout to assess new electronics and software. Concurrently, the Orbiter Space Vision System was evaluated, a crucial step for its intended use during the complex assembly missions of the International Space Station. These tests ensured that future ISS construction would benefit from refined and reliable robotic capabilities.

Scientific Experiments

Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

A significant scientific payload on STS-91 was a prototype of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS). This instrument was designed to search for dark and missing matter in the universe. The AMS was powered up on Flight Day 1. Despite the K_u-band communication issues, the crew successfully implemented a bypass system, allowing for the downlink of AMS data via S-band/FM communications when ground station contact was available. Data outside these windows was diligently recorded onboard for later analysis.

Onboard Research

The mission facilitated the transfer and continuation of several long-term U.S. experiments from Mir to Discovery. These included the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS), which monitors microgravity disturbances, and the tissue engineering co-culture (COCULT) investigations, focusing on cellular growth in space. Additionally, two crystal growth experiments were conducted, alongside various Risk Mitigation Experiments (RMEs) and Human Life Sciences (HLS) investigations, all contributing to a deeper understanding of human physiology and material science in the space environment.

Get Away Specials

In addition to the primary scientific objectives, Discovery's payload bay housed eight Get Away Special (GAS) experiments. These self-contained, relatively small experiments provided opportunities for diverse research from various institutions. Concurrently, the mid-deck crew cabin area was utilized for further investigations into combustion, crystal growth, and radiation monitoring, showcasing the mission's multifaceted approach to scientific inquiry.

Enduring Legacy

Phase 1 Conclusion

The successful completion of STS-91 marked the formal conclusion of Phase 1 of the International Space Station (ISS) program. This phase, characterized by the Shuttle-Mir docking missions, was crucial for developing the operational experience, technical interfaces, and international cooperation models that would be indispensable for the construction and long-term habitation of the ISS. The lessons learned from these missions, particularly regarding logistics, crew exchange, and joint operations, directly informed the design and execution of subsequent ISS assembly flights.

Lessons Learned

STS-91, like all Shuttle-Mir missions, provided invaluable insights into the complexities of long-duration spaceflight and international collaboration. The challenges encountered, such as the K_u-band communication system failure, underscored the importance of robust contingency planning and redundant systems. The successful workaround for the AMS data downlink demonstrated the ingenuity and adaptability of the flight crews and ground support. These experiences were meticulously documented and analyzed, contributing to a comprehensive knowledge base that enhanced the safety and efficiency of future space endeavors, particularly for the ISS.

Paving the Future

By concluding the Shuttle-Mir program, STS-91 directly transitioned the focus of human spaceflight to the construction of the International Space Station. The mission's contributions, from the testing of the Super Lightweight External Tank to the evaluation of the Orbiter Space Vision System, were foundational for the subsequent assembly missions. The exchange of crew members and cargo, the conduct of joint scientific experiments, and the overcoming of technical challenges solidified the framework for sustained international presence in low Earth orbit, setting the stage for decades of collaborative research and exploration aboard the ISS.

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Echoes from Orbit: The Legacy of STS-91

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Mission Overview 🌌

🤝 The Final Rendezvous

🗓️ Mission Profile

🛰️ Orbital Dynamics

The Crew 👨‍🚀

👥 Astronaut Roster

💺 Seat Assignments

Mission Highlights ✨

🌉 Bridging to the ISS

💡 Innovative Tank Design

🔄 Cargo & Crew Exchange

Technology & Systems ⚙️

🔗 Docking & Separation

📡 Communication Challenges

🤖 Orbiter Systems Check

Scientific Experiments 🔬

⚛️ Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

🧪 Onboard Research

📦 Get Away Specials

Enduring Legacy 🌟

🏁 Phase 1 Conclusion

📚 Lessons Learned

🔭 Paving the Future

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Mission Overview

The Final Rendezvous

Mission Profile

Orbital Dynamics

The Crew

Astronaut Roster

Seat Assignments

Mission Highlights

Bridging to the ISS

Innovative Tank Design

Cargo & Crew Exchange

Technology & Systems

Docking & Separation

Communication Challenges

Orbiter Systems Check

Scientific Experiments

Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

Onboard Research

Get Away Specials

Enduring Legacy

Phase 1 Conclusion

Lessons Learned

Paving the Future

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice