The Spacelab J mission is a venture between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). Using a Spacelab long pressurized module, 43 experiments--34 sponsored by NASDA, 7 sponsored by NASA, and 2 co- sponsored by NASDA and NASA--will be performed in the areas of microgravity science and life sciences. These experiments will explore the suitability of microgravity for certain types of research and manufacturing, the possibilities for new materials that can only be produced in microgravity, the development of new and refined production methods, and the effects of microgravity and the space environment on living organisms. A list of experiments is given in Appendix A. NASDA began developing its portion, known as the First Material Processing Test (FMPT), in 1979 and contacted NASA in 1984 about becoming a customer of the Shuttle. Since the Japanese experiments would not fill the Spacelab module, NASA developed and manifested experiments complementing the theme of the FMPT investigations. Further negotiations between the two space agencies, culminating in 1992, resulted in plans to share data and samples more widely between Japanese and U. S. investigators to maximize the science return. Mission operations are shared by the U. S. and Japan. NASA provides payload integration, launch services, mission management, and some post-flight support. NASDA is responsible for supporting the selection of the Japanese experiments by the Space Activities Commission (SAC), overseeing experiment development, integration of some NASDA hardware, and ensuring that all equipment is ready for flight. Spacelab J is currently scheduled to be launched aboard the Orbiter Endeavour in September 1992 from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to a 302 kilometer (163-nautical mile) orbit for a 7-day mission. After completing on-orbit operations, the crew stores specimens and data and secures the Spacelab module before landing at KSC. Certain samples requiring special treatment are removed as quickly as possible after landing, while the remainder are removed during orbiter processing. The Spacelab J mission also represents two crew firsts. NASDA will have its first person in space, a payload specialist, and NASA will have its first science mission specialist, a trained mission specialist performing payload specialist duties.
Spacelab J Prelaunch Mission Operation Report
1992
60 pages
Report
No indication
English
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