STS-89

STS -89 (English Space Transportation System) is the designation for a flight mission of the U.S. Space Shuttle Endeavour ( OV -105 ) from NASA. The launch took place on 23 January 1998. It was the 89th Space Shuttle mission, the twelfth flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour, the tenth flight as part of the Shuttle -Mir program, and the eighth coupling of a U.S. space shuttle to the space station Mir.

Team

• Terrence Wilcutt ( third space flight), Commander
• Joe Edwards ( first space flight), Pilot
• Bonnie Dunbar ( fifth space flight ), Mission Specialist
• Michael Anderson ( first space flight), Mission Specialist
• James Reilly ( first space flight), Mission Specialist
• Salizhan Sharipov ( first space flight ), Mission Specialist

Mir Crew Departure

• Andrew Thomas ( second space flight )

Mir Crew Return

• David Wolf ( second space flight )

(after a flight time of 127 days, returned to Earth 20 hours, 2 minutes; way flight with STS -86)

Mission Description

The eighth docking of an American Space Shuttle to the Russian Mir space station for the first time completed the Endeavour. Was coupled as in the previous missions on the Shuttle docking modules of the Mir. In the loading bay of the Endeavour was a Spacehab double module. In it, several experiments and equipment and food were stored, were brought to the Mir space station. The coupling was performed on the third day of flying. David Wolf returned after 128 days with the space shuttle to Earth, Andrew Thomas took his place on the station. Been installed here the experiments Astro Culture (Advanced CGBA ) to test an automatic greenhouse in continuous operation, X -Ray Detector for testing an X-ray sensor for structural analysis of crystals, the cell culture experiment coculture as well as diffusion -controlled Crystallization Apparatus for Microgravity ( DCAM) and Gaseous Nitrogen Dewar for the production of very pure protein crystals. From the space station in the shuttle, especially the results of previous experiments were taken. These included plant samples, semiconductor materials, protein crystals, saliva, blood and urine samples were frozen in special facilities or kept at constant temperature (Enhanced Orbiter Refrigerator / Freezer and Thermoelectric Holding Module).

In the middle deck and Spacehab several scientific experiments were conducted during the flight. Thus, the development of fish, snails and plants in a closed aquarium (Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System) has been studied, the effectiveness of nutrient supply for plants on porous materials analyzed ( Microgravity Plant Nutrient Experiment ) and the behavior of granules in weightlessness studied ( Mechanicsburg of granular material). In particular, the effects of pressure forces were recorded on the movements of three different granules. It also knowledge about faults during earthquakes are to be derived.

Further studies were carried out in containers that were anchored in the cargo bay ( Get Away Special ). So what happens during the atomization of a liquid have been studied in small droplets. In this case, silicone oil was vortexed in an air- filled cylinder with a piston. This resulted in a liquid-gas mixture. The silicone oil was interspersed with tiny silver plated glass beads whose movements could be made visible with a laser ( Vortex). Also with liquids dealt the experiment Structure of Marangoni Convection in Floating Zones. Here, the internal motion of free surfaces was observed in local temperature differences. Marangoni convection effect on the earth, for example, the regularity of the semiconductor crystals. Therefore we studied their effect without the overlapping influences of gravity. A better handling of glass melting and the removal of all visible gas bubbles had investigations on fine melting goal. For this, a glass sample was heated to 1300 ° C and the artificial oxygen inclusions and recorded, the resolution of the gas bubbles. In other containers differences between melting point and freezing point were measured, high-temperature superconductors investigated drawn Galliumantimonidkristalle, crystal cylinder produced epitaxially and determines the size of liquid droplets upon wetting of various materials.

Was first tested a system can be captured with the medical data and transmitted by the picture and sound to Earth ( Telemedicine Instrumentation Pack ). With a special camera examinations of the eyes, ears, mouth and throat were made. Heart sounds, breath and bowel sounds could be also transmitted via an electronic stethoscope. There were also readings of heart activity (ECG), blood oxygen level, blood pressure and pulse. This is to be improved, particularly for longer stays in space in future medical care.

Additional experiments related to for example the analysis of high frequency radar echoes caused by the thruster firings of the shuttle (shuttle Ionospheric Modification with pulsed local exhaust ) and the recording and transmission of images of the surface with the EarthKAM, camera, which is controlled by students. This is intended to natural or human-induced phenomena are directly involved in the lesson.

For risk assessment of stays in space condensate samples were taken in different areas of the Space Shuttle ( Shuttle Condensate Collection) and the radiation exposure measured during the flight ( Intravehicular Radiation Environment Measurement by the Real-time Radiation Monitor). The Endeavour landed as planned in Florida.