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Aviation History
1973
1973 - 1794.PDF
FLIGHT International, 28 June 1973 SKYLAB others are two hydrogen-alpha telescopes which provide the primary means for boresight pointing of the ATM, as well as amplifying detection of H-alpha emissions from solar flares. The final ATM instrument is an ultra-violet scanning polychromator spectroheliometer which electronic ally records on tape any temporal changes in u-v emission between 300 and 1,350 Angstroms. In addition, one instru ment is operated through one of the scientific airlocks in the main workshop. This is a camera which records on film the detailed energy spectrum of X-ray and u-v radia tion from both normal and explosive areas on the Sun. Earth-resources survey has a six-experiment package which can be operated as a group or in individual experi ments. Data are recorded on film and brought back to Earth after each visit for correlation with information obtained by aircraft and Nasa's Earth Resources Tech nology Satellite for some 140 specific investigations. External Erep sensors scan paths on the Earth's surface varying in width from J4 n.m. to 88 n.m. Multispectral photography is provided by a pair of cameras viewing through the large MDA window. An infra-red spectrometer ( and a multispectral spectrometer have their external sensors enclosed and fed by gimballed mirrors and all apertures are equipped with safety or meteoroid protec tion doors. A single, gimballed parabolic microwave antenna is shared by a passive radiometer, a scattermeter and a radar altimeter all operating on the same 13-9GHz frequency. Finally, an L-band microwave radiometer also takes passive readings via a fixed planar-array antenna. Astrophysics study requires 14 instruments to support 24, studies of the solar system and beyond. Most of these involve either passive detection or particle collection devices or specialised photography. The cameras, equipped to photograph the Gegenschein, a background light in space, as well as stellar u-v and X-ray emissions, are operated through the scientific airlocks in the workshop. Materials science and manufacturing in space play an important part in the experiment programme because of their potential in evolving methods of exploiting the zero gravity, vacuum and absolute temperatures of space. Melting and mixing without the contaminating effects of containers, suppression of convection and buoying in liquids and molten metals, control of voids and the ability to use electrostatic and magnetic forces otherwise masked by gravity are the main advantages of the use of space. Composite structural materials, perfectly formed crystals and new vaccines are considered among the most valuable forseeable potential. For this reason a number of processes, summarised in 18 experiments, are being tried out using a small electric furnace and an electron-beam welder. In another group, designated engineering and technology, 13 experiments have been devised to advance knowledge for design and operation of future space systems. Some of these involve study of the use of integral parts of Skylab, such as its habitability and crew quarters. Crew activities and maintenance will be studied and the astronaut manoeuvring equipment also comes into this category. Experiments to study spacecraft environment include testing thermal control coatings and measuring telescope contamination. The final group comprises 19 experiments selected in a national competition open to US high-school pupils. More than 3,400 proposals were received and 25 were actually selected, but six could not be accommodated. Special equipment was built for 11 of the experiments and the remainder use data from existing equipment. The experiments range from biomedical to astronomical and are generally highly specific but complement the broader experiment objectives of the Skylab mission. Kerwin training on the ATM console. The central two panels contain individual telescope controls arranged in horizontal rows. Screens provide pointing and monitoring display. Opposite page, Apollo CSM rescue kit
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