"6_2_2_21_2.TXT" (498 bytes) was created on 11-14-89 11/7/89: STS-33 DISCOVERY MISSION LAUNCH DATE SET At the conclusion of today's STS-33 Flight Readiness Review at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Space Shuttle managers have targeted a date of no earlier than Nov. 20, 1989 for the launch of a dedicated Department of Defense mission aboard the orbiter Discovery. The 4-hour launch period will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST. At the present time, no major issues are being worked which might preclude launch on the 20th. "6_2_2_21_3.TXT" (1125 bytes) was created on 11-14-89 11/14/89: LAUNCH ADVISORY FOR SHUTTLE MISSION STS-33 Engineers are preparing to remove the two aft integrated electronics assemblies (IEAs) from the left and right solid rocket boosters. The IEAs act as the brain for the booster by routing power, commands and data between the orbiter and boosters. It was discovered by the vendor that wiring in these two aft units could potentially have been routed such that some wires could rub against hardware which could cause a short. Once removed, these units will be transferred to the USBI facility where inspectors from Bendix will verify the wiring. Today, workers are removing closeout material, or foam, from the IEAs to gain access to these units located in the vicinity of the external tank attach ring. Later, ordnance devices on the vehicle will be disconnected and the IEAs can be removed. Closeouts of the aft compartment for flight are underway. Purges of the power reactant storage and distribution system tanks have been completed. The launch date of mission STS-33 is being evaluated at this time but is no earlier than Nov. 22, 1989. "6_2_2_21_4.TXT" (584 bytes) was created on 11-21-89 STS-33 LAUNCH ADVISORY Although the schedule remains tight, no major issues are being worked and launch of mission STS-33 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery continues to be targeted for Nov. 22, 1989. This determination was made by Shuttle managers at the conclusion of today's L-2 day review at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The four-hour launch period for this dedicated DoD mission will begin at 6:30 p.m., EST, on the 22nd. "6_2_2_21_5.TXT" (5511 bytes) was created on 11-21-89 11/21/89: PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPOSURE GUIDELINES FOR NIGHT SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCHES KSC RELEASE NO. 120-89 The launch of STS-33 will offer a unique and challenging opportunity to photographers as the Space Shuttle lifts off from Kennedy Space Center in darkness. The launch period of STS-33 has been established to be between the hours of 6:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 22. Sunset on that day will be about 5:30 p.m. This is the first nighttime launch of the Space Shuttle since Mission 61-B in November 1985. Due to the unusual lighting situations on the pad at the time of launch and the enormous burst of illumination at the time of ignition, questions have been raised regarding proper exposure times, aperture settings and film types. Specifically, on launch pad 39-B the Space Shuttle is illuminated by 31 daylight-balanced xenon searchlights. Light levels are 200 foot-candles with a color temperature of 6000K up until the time the main engines are ignited. Daylight balanced films are recommended. The following film and exposure tables provide some general guidance for photographing the shuttle at night. Table I provides guidelines prior to ignition with the illumination of the xenon lights. (Brand names are used only as a reference.) TABLE I SHUTTLE ON PAD AT NIGHT PRIOR TO IGNITION (WITH XENON LIGHTS) FILM TYPE ISO/ASA SHUTTER f/STOP Plus-X 125 1/60 4.0 Tri-X/T-Max 400 1/125 4.5 Kodak Gold 100 1/60 3.5 Kodak Gold 200 1/125 3.5 Kodak Gold 400 1/125 4.5 Ekta-Press 1600 1/250 6.3 Ekta/Kodachrome 64 1/30 4.0 Ekta/Kodachrome 200 1/125 3.5 Ektachrome 1600 1/250 6.3 Immediately following SRB ignition until the time the vehicle clears the top of the launch tower, illumination will consist of both the xenon searchlights and reflected flame from the main engines and twin solid rocket boosters. Light levels will rapidly rise to about 1000 foot-candles during this five or six second period. Table II lists exposures using the maximum light level. TABLE II SHUTTLE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING LIFTOFF AND PRIOR TO CLEARING THE LAUNCH TOWER (WITH XENON LIGHTS AND FLAME REFLECTION) FILM TYPE ISO/ASA SHUTTER f/STOP Plus-X 125 1/250 4.5 Tri-X/T-Max 400 1/250 8.0 Kodak Gold 100 1/250 4.0 Kodak Gold 200 1/250 5.6 Kodak Gold 400 1/250 8.0 Ekta-Press 1600 1/250 16.0 Ekta/Kodachrome 64 1/125 4.5 Ekta/Kodachrome 200 1/250 5.6 Ektachrome 1600 1/250 16.0 After the Space Shuttle has cleared the tower, the only source of light will be from the reflected flame itself. Light levels of the reflective flame will be about 4,500 foot-candles but only a portion of the orbiter's engines will be visible. Table III provides guidelines for photographers after the Shuttle has cleared the tower through solid rocket booster burnout. TABLE III AFTER SHUTTLE HAS CLEARED THE TOWER THROUGH SRB BURNOUT (WITH FLAME REFLECTION ONLY) FILM TYPE ISO/ASA SHUTTER f/STOP Plus-X 125 1/125 11.0 Tri-X/T-Max 400 1/250 16.0 Kodak Gold 100 1/125 11.0 Kodak Gold 200 1/250 11.0 Kodak Gold 400 1/250 16.0 Ekta-Press 1600 1/1000 22.0 Ekta/Kodachrome 64 1/125 9.0 Ekta/Kodachrome 200 1/250 11.0 Ektachrome 1600 1/1000 22.0 Streak exposures may be taken to show the shuttle's long, arcing path over the Atlantic Ocean east of the pad. For this, it is best to frame the shuttle on the pad low in the frame using a relatively wide lens. Lock the shutter open for the duration of the exposure. The following table offers suggested f/stops for specified films and their ISO/ASA settings with the shutter open. TABLE IV STREAK EXPOSURE (OPEN SHUTTER) FILM TYPE ISO/ASA SHUTTER f/STOP Plus-X 125 open 5.6 Tri-X/T-Max 400 open 9.0 Kodak Gold 100 open 5.6 Kodak Gold 200 open 6.3 Kodak Gold 400 open 9.0 Ekta-Press 1600 open 18.0 Ekta/Kodachrome 64 open 4.0 Ekta/Kodachrome 200 open 6.3 Ektachrome 1600 open 18.0 The exposure guidelines listed in these tables may require some adjustment to account for variations in cameras and film processing. The tables were developed by Bruce Hoover, Photographic Planner assigned to TGS Technology, Inc., the prime photographic contractor at KSC. "6_2_2_21_6.TXT" (295 bytes) was created on 11-22-89 STS-33 POST-LAUNCH STATEMENT 8:55 P.M. CST NOV. 22, 1989 Mission elapsed time: 2 hours, 32 minutes. The crew of Discovery has been given the go for orbit operations. The orbiter and crew are performing well. This concludes commentary for this evening on Discovery and the STS-33 mission. "6_2_2_21_7.TXT" (299 bytes) was created on 11-24-89 STS-33 LAUNCH-PLUS-24 HOURS STATEMENT 5:45 P.M. CST NOV. 23, 1989 The STS-33 mission will conclude at approximately 7:02 p.m. PST on Sunday, Nov. 26 with touchdown of Discovery at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The crew is doing well and the orbiter continues to perform satisfactorily. "6_2_2_21_8.TXT" (467 bytes) was created on 11-27-89 NEW LANDING TIME, WAVE-OFF TO MONDAY 7:05 P.M. CST SUNDAY NOV. 26 AFTER FURTHER EVALUATION, MISSION MANAGERS HAVE DECIDED TO RESCHEDULE THE LANDING OF DISCOVERY. THE NEW LANDING TIME IS 2:52 P.M. PST, MONDAY, NOV. 27 AT EDWARDS AFB. THE CHANGE TO THE EARLIER LANDING OPPORTUNITY TAKES ADVANTAGE OF HIGHER SUN ANGLE THEREBY REDUCING SUN GLARE ON DISCOVERY'S WINDOWS DURING LANDING. ALSO, BOTH RUNWAYS 17 AND 22 WILL BE SUITABLE FOR THE 2:52 P.M. LANDING. ====== STS-33 CREW PATCH -- This is the crew patch for STS-33, designed by the five crewmembers. It features a stylized falcon soaring into space to represent America's commitment to manned space flight. The crewmembers feel the falcon symbolizes courage, intelligence, tenacity, and love of flight. They intend the orbit around Earth to represent the falcon's lofty domain; however, the bird, with its keen vision and natural curiosity, is depicted looking forward beyond that domain to challenge the edge of the universe. The bold red feathers of the wings drawn from the American flag overlaying the random field of stars illustrate the determination to expand the boundaries of knowledge by American presence in space. The single gold star on a field of blue honors the memory of the late Rear Admiral S. David Griggs, originally assigned to this crew. PLEASE NOTE: The NASA insignia design for Space Shuttle missions is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced. "6_2_2_21_10.TXT" (1067 bytes) was created on 07-24-90 STS-33 Mission Summary The fifth Space Shuttle mission dedicated to the Department of Defense lifted off on Discovery from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, KSC, on Nov. 22, 1989 at 7:23 p.m. EST. Launch was originally scheduled Nov. 20, but was delayed because of suspect Integrated Electronics Assemblies which control ignition and separation of the Shuttle's solid rocket boosters. It was the ninth flight of Discovery and the 32nd Space Shuttle mission. STS-33 was the third night launch of the Space Shuttle program, and the first since Shuttle flights resumed in 1988. Landing was scheduled Nov. 26, but was postponed for a day because of stong winds at the landing site. Discovery landed on a concrete runway at Edwards AFB, CA, on Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. EST, after a mission duration of 5 days, 0 hours and 6 minutes. Crew. The five-member crew included Commander Frederick D. Gregory, Pilot John E. Blaha, and Mission Specialists F. Story Musgrave, Manley L. Carter Jr., and Kathryn C. Thornton. It was the first space flight for Carter and Thornton.