STS-38

Infobox Space mission
mission_name = STS-38
insignia = STS-38 patch.svg
shuttle = Atlantis
launch_pad = 39-A
launch = November 15, 1990, 6:48:13 p.m. EST
landing = November 20, 1990, 4:42:42 p.m. EST
duration = 4/21:54:31
altitude = 142 nautical miles (263 km)
inclination = 28.5 degrees
orbits = 79
distance = 2,030,000 miles (3,267,000 km)
crew_photo = Sts-38 crew.jpg
crew_caption =
previous = STS-41
next = STS-35

STS-38 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was the 37th shuttle mission, and carried a classified payload for the U.S. Department of Defense. It was the 7th flight for Atlantis.

Crew

"(total flights to date in parentheses)"

*Richard O. Covey (3), Mission Commander
*Frank L. Culbertson, Jr. (1), Pilot
*Robert C. Springer (2), Mission Specialist
*Carl J. Meade (1), Mission Specialist
*Charles D. Gemar (1), Mission Specialist

Mission parameters

*Mass:
**"Payload:" Magnum ELINT satellite ~ 3,000 kg
**"Booster:" IUS upper stage ~ 18,000 kg
*Perigee: 78 km
*Apogee: 226 km
*Inclination: 28.5°
*Period: 87.5 min

Mission highlights

During STS-38, Atlantis deployed USA-67 [ [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1990-097B NASA Space Data Center: "NSSDC ID: 1990-097B USA-67] ELINT Program] . According to Aviation Week, this was a secret Magnum ELINT (ELectronic INTtelligence) gathering satellite headed for geosynchronous orbit like those launched by STS-51-C and STS-33, launched to monitor the events during the first Gulf War in 1990.

Also according to Aviation Week, the shuttle initially enters a 204 km x 519 km orbit at an inclination of 28.45° to the equator. It then executes three OMS (orbital manoeuvering system) burns, the last on orbit #4. The first burn is to circularize the orbit at 519 km.

Later observers have speculated that USA-67 was instead a secret SDS-2 military communications satellite, like those deployed on STS-28 and STS-53. [ [http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Mar-2000/0378.html Satobs.org: "USA-67 observations" ] ] [ [http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/sigint/prowler.htm FAS.org: "GEO SIGINT Satellite"] ]

The satellite was deployed on the 7th orbit and then ignited its IUS rocket at the ascending node of the 8th orbit, to place it in a geo-synchronous transfer orbit.

The classified payload was deployed successfully and boosted into its operating orbit by an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) booster according to an Air Force announcement.

November 15, 1990, 6:48:13 p.m. EST. Launch originally scheduled for July 1990. However, liquid hydrogen leak found on orbiter "Columbia" during STS-35 countdown prompted three precautionary tanking tests on "Atlantis" at pad June 29, July 13 and July 25. Tests confirmed hydrogen fuel leak on external tank side of external tank/orbiter 17 inch (432 mm) quick disconnect umbilical. Could not repair at pad and "Atlantis" rolled back to VAB August 9, demated and transferred to the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF). During rollback, vehicle parked outside VAB about a day while "Columbia"/STS-35 stack transferred to pad for launch. Outside, "Atlantis" suffered minor hail damage to tiles during thunderstorm. After repairs made in OPF, "Atlantis" transferred to VAB for mating October 2. During hoisting operations, platform beam that should have been removed from aft compartment fell and caused minor damage which was repaired. Vehicle rolled out to Pad A October 12. Fourth mini-tanking test performed October 24, with no excessive hydrogen or oxygen leakage detected. At Flight Readiness Review, launch date set for November 9. Launch reset for November 15 due to payload problems. Liftoff occurred during classified launch window lying within launch period extending from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. EST, November 15, 1990. Launch Weight: Classified.

November 20, 1990, 4:42:42 p.m. EST, Runway 33, Kennedy Space Center, FL. Rollout distance: 9,032 feet (2753 m). Rollout time: 57 seconds. Mission extended one day due to unacceptable crosswinds at original planned landing site, Edwards. Continued adverse conditions led to decision to shift landing to KSC. First KSC landing for "Atlantis", first end-of-mission landing at KSC since April 1985. Landing Weight: 191,091 lb (86.667 Mg).

ee also

* Space science
* Space shuttle
* List of space shuttle missions
* List of human spaceflights chronologically

References

* [http://www.astronautix.com/flights/sts38.htm Astronatix: 'STS-38"]

External links

* [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-38/mission-sts-38.html NASA mission summary]
* [http://www.nss.org/resources/library/shuttlevideos/shuttle37.htm STS-38 Video Highlights]

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