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STS-26 Rollout
| Title |
STS-26 Rollout |
| Full Description |
A view from inside bay three of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) shows the Space Shuttle Discovery washed in white xenon light as it makes a nighttime departure from the VAB on its way to Pad 39B. Discovery will fly for mission STS-26 now scheduled for launch in early September. It has a five man crew and the TDRS-C payload. First motion in the Shuttle's move from the VAB toward the pad came at 12:50 a.m. July 4, 1988. |
| Date |
7/4/1988 |
| NASA Center |
Kennedy Space Center |
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Artist's Concept of TDRS-C
| Name of Image |
Artist's Concept of TDRS-C |
| Date of Image |
1988-01-01 |
| Full Description |
This artist's concept drawing depicts the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-C (TDRS-C), which was the primary payload of the Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-26 mission, launched on September 29, 1988. The TDRS system provides almost uninterrupted communications with Earth-orbiting Shuttles and satellites, and had replaced the intermittent coverage provided by globe-encircling ground tracking stations used during the early space program. The TDRS can transmit and receive data, and track a user spacecraft in a low Earth orbit. The deployment of TDRS-G on the STS-70 mission being the latest in the series, NASA has successfully launched six TDRSs. |
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STS-26 Discovery, OV-103, ar
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| Title |
STS-26 Discovery, OV-103, artwork showing TDRS-C deployment |
| Description |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, artwork depicts tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) deployment. OV-103 orbits above Earth in bottom-to-sun attitude, moments after TDRS-C's release into space. TDRS-C is seen just below open payload bay (PLB). Artwork was done by Pat Rawlings of Eagle Engineering. |
| Date Taken |
1987-11-16 |
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STS-26 crewmembers participa
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| Title |
STS-26 crewmembers participate in contingency EVA exercise in JSC's WETF |
| Description |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, mission specialists George D. Nelson and John M. Lounge, wearing extravehicular mobility units (EMUs), participate in contingency extravehicular activity (EVA) exercise in JSC's Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF) Bldg 29. Nelson works with EVA wrench as Lounge looks on. In the event of in-cabin remote control failure, the procedure Nelson is conducting would upright the tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) from its stowed position to its deployment position. Photograph was taken by Keith Meyers of the NEW YORK TIMES. |
| Date Taken |
1988-07-01 |
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STS-26 tracking and data rel
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| Title |
STS-26 tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) processing at KSC |
| Description |
Kennedy Space Center (KSC) technicians inspect the tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) in the clean room of the Vertical Processing Facility at KSC. TDRS-C is the primary satellite payload to be flown aboard shuttle mission STS-26. TDRS-C will relay data from low earth orbiting spacecraft, and air-to-ground voice communications and television from space shuttle orbiters when operational. View provided by KSC with alternate number KSC-88PC-361. |
| Date Taken |
1988-06-13 |
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STS-26 MS Lounge during cont
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| Title |
STS-26 MS Lounge during contingency EVA exercise in JSC's WETF Bldg 29 |
| Description |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, Mission Specialist (MS) John M. Lounge participates in contingency extravehicular activity (EVA) exercise in JSC's Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF) Bldg 29. Lounge works with airborne support equipment (ASE) on payload bay (PLB) sill longeron. Tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) mockup appears next to him. Since Lounge has achieved neutral buoyancy, he is tethered to the sill longeron as he would be during an actual EVA. Photograph was taken by Keith Meyers of the NEW YORK TIMES. |
| Date Taken |
1988-07-01 |
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KSC technicians inspect TDRS
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| Title |
KSC technicians inspect TDRS-C, an STS-26 payload, in VPF clean room |
| Description |
Kennedy Space Center (KSC) clean-suited technicians inspect tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) in KSC's Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) clean room. TDRS-C is the primary satellite payload aboard STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. TDRS-C will relay data from low Earth orbiting spacecraft, and air-to-ground voice communications and television from Space Shuttle orbiters when operational. View provided by KSC with alternate number KSC-88PC-363. |
| Date Taken |
1988-06-17 |
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STS-26 crewmembers participa
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| Title |
STS-26 crewmembers participate in contingency EVA exercise in JSC's WETF |
| Description |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, mission specialists George D. Nelson and John M. Lounge, wearing extravehicular mobility units (EMUs), participate in contingency extravehicular activity (EVA) exercise in JSC's Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF) Bldg 29. Overall view of WETF underwater activity shows Nelson (foreground) working with EVA wrench as Lounge looks on and SCUBA-equipped divers monitor procedures. A mockup of the tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) appears behind astronauts in payload bay (PLB). In the event of in-cabin remote control failure, the procedure Nelson is conducting would upright the tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) from its stowed position to its deployment position. Photograph was taken by Keith Meyers of the NEW YORK TIMES. |
| Date Taken |
1988-07-01 |
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STS-26 crewmembers participa
…
| Title |
STS-26 crewmembers participate in contingency EVA exercise in JSC's WETF |
| Description |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, mission specialists George D. Nelson and John M. Lounge, wearing extravehicular mobility units (EMUs), participate in latch-handling contingency extravehicular activity (EVA) exercise in JSC's Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF) Bldg 29. Nelson (right) looks on as Lounge manipulates equipment on payload bay door (PLBD) latch at sill longeron. Tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) mockup is visible in the payload bay (PLB) (background). SCUBA-equipped divers assist in the Earth-bound version of the contingency EVA. Photograph was taken by Keith Meyers of the NEW YORK TIMES. |
| Date Taken |
1988-07-01 |
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STS-26 tracking and data rel
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| Title |
STS-26 tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) loaded in payload bay |
| Description |
Clean-suited technicians confirm STS-26 tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) and inertial upper stage (IUS) loading operations are complete at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Ground handling equipment has just inserted TDRS-C with its IUS into Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, payload bay (PLB) for STS-26 mission. Airborne support equipment (ASE) forward frame cradle (at TRDS-C middle section) and aft tilt frame actuator (AFTA) table (at TDRS-C base) and their interfaces with PLB are visible. |
| Date Taken |
1988-08-31 |
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STS-26 Tracking and Data Rel
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| Title |
STS-26 Tracking and Data Relay Satellite C (TDRS-C) artist concept drawing |
| Description |
ANOTHER EYE IN THE SKY -- This artist's concept drawing depicts the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite C (TDRS-C) orbiting the Earth at 171 degrees west longitude. TDRS-C will be the primary payload for STS-26 and Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. Built by TRW, Redondo Beach, California, and managed by Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, Maryland, the TDRS-C -- once deployed into its geosynchronous operational orbit 22,300 miles (35,800 km) from Earth -- will be designated TDRS-3. |
| Date Taken |
1988-08-31 |
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STS-26 tracking and data rel
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| Title |
STS-26 tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) loaded in payload bay |
| Description |
STS-26 tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) with inertial upper stage (IUS) is loaded into Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, payload bay (PLB) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Ground handling equipment pulls away from PLB once TDRS-C is inserted. Airborne support equipment (ASE) forward frame cradle (at TRDS-C middle section) and aft tilt frame actuator (AFTA) table (at TDRS-C base) and their interfaces with PLB are visible. |
| Date Taken |
1988-08-31 |
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STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, IUS / TDRS-C deployment |
| Description |
Inertial upper stage (IUS) with tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) drifts against the blackness of space above the Earth's limb. TDRS-C remains in stowed configuration atop the IUS. The STS-26 crewmembers aboard Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, move away from the satellite to a safe distance before IUS first stage firing. |
| Date Taken |
1988-10-03 |
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STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, IUS / TDRS-C deployment |
| Description |
After deployment from Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, the inertial upper stage (IUS) with the tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) drifts above the cloud-covered Earth surface. TDRS-C, in stowed configuration (solar array panels visible), is mounted atop the IUS with the interstage and solid rocket motor and nozzle seen in the foreground. |
| Date Taken |
1988-10-03 |
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STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, IUS / TDRS-C deployment |
| Description |
Inertial upper stage (IUS) with tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) drifts above the cloud-covered Earth surface after deployment from Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. The straight-on view shows the IUS solid rocket motor and nozzle that will insert the TDRS-C into orbit. TDRS-C, in stowed configuration atop the IUS, is partially visible. |
| Date Taken |
1988-10-03 |
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STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, IUS / TDRS-C deployment |
| Description |
During STS-26, inertial upper stage (IUS) with tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) located in the payload bay (PLB) of Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, is positioned into its proper deployment attitude (an angle of 50 degrees) by the airborne support equipment (ASE). In the foreground, the ASE forward cradle is visible. The IUS is mounted in the ASE aft frame tilt actuator (AFTA) table. TDRS-C components in stowed configuration include solar array panels, TDRS single access #1 and #2, TDRS SGL, and S-Band omni antenna. In the background are the orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods, the Earth's cloud-covered surface, and the Earth's limb. |
| Date Taken |
1988-10-03 |
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STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, IUS / TDRS-C deployment |
| Description |
During STS-26, inertial upper stage (IUS) with the tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) located in the payload bay (PLB) of Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, is raised into deployment attitude (an angle of 50 degrees) by the airborne support equipment (ASE). ASE aft frame tilt actuator (AFTA) table supports the IUS as it is positioned in the PLB and the ASE umbilical boom drifts away from IUS toward ASE forward cradle. TDRS-C solar array panels (in stowed configuration) are visible on top of the IUS. In the background are the orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods and the Earth's limb. |
| Date Taken |
1988-10-03 |
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STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Ve
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| Title |
STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, IUS / TDRS-C deployment |
| Description |
During STS-26, inertial upper stage (IUS) with the tracking and data relay satellite C (TDRS-C) drifts above Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, payload bay (PLB) after being positioned in deployment attitude (an angle of 50 degrees) by the airborne support equipment (ASE). IUS vacates the ASE aft frame tilt actuator (AFTA) table in the PLB while the disconnected ASE umbilical boom floats above ASE forward cradle. IUS first stage rocket motor and nozzle and the interstage are visible as the IUS is deployed. In the background are the orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods and the Earth's limb. |
| Date Taken |
1988-10-03 |
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