TSS-1R/USMP-3 Public Affairs Status Report #10 6:00 p.m. CST, Feb. 27, 1996 5/3:42 MET Spacelab Mission Operations Control Marshall Space Flight Center As the Tethered Satellite System (TSS) research team at Spacelab Mission Operations Control began receiving data from the free- flying tethered satellite, the third United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-3) became the primary payload for the rest of mission STS-75. This afternoon, the crew finished setting up the Middeck Glovebox for a series of combustion experiments and prepared to conduct a series of orbiter attitude calibrations for the Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF), the last of four major USMP-3 investigations to be readied. While continuing to assemble data to support the investigation into the cause of the tether separation, ground controllers successfully commanded the three experiments in the upper half of the satellite to turn on. Now operating as a remote sensing science platform, Tethered Satellite System (TSS) scientists are collecting real-time data about Earth's upper atmosphere in the vicinity of the satellite. The Research on Orbital Plasma Electrodynamics (ROPE) equipment is measuring ions and electrons, the Magnetic Field Experiment for TSS Missions (TEMAG) is measuring magnetic fields, and the Research on Electrodynamic Tether Effects (RETE) experiment is measuring electric fields. With telemetry reestablished, TSS Mission Scientist Dr. Nobie Stone reported that science teams rapidly put together plans for a set of experiments that will make use of the free-flying satellite with the tether still attached. Electron beams fired from the orbiter will create plasma disturbances that will spread through the ionosphere. The satellite-mounted instruments will attempt to measure and characterize these disturbances as they pass the satellite. In addition, the satellite's accelerometer may provide valuable information on the condition of the tether and how well it survives the micro-meteorite and space debris environment over the next few days. Meanwhile, USMP-3 is quickly approaching full-up operations. USMP researchers are looking for new insights into basic physics and materials science, while setting the stage for future long- duration space missions. USMP-3 scientists used the time when the TSS-1R payload was primary to do "science of opportunity" in preparation for the time when USMP-3 became the primary payload. The four experiments on USMP have all been flown previously. The value of experience is underscored by early progress made by the Critical Fluid Light Scattering Experiment team. This investigation, called "Zeno" after the Greek philosopher who theorized about the concept of infinity, was flown earlier on USMP-2. Principal Investigator Dr. Robert Gammon, of the University of Maryland, reports that his science team has benefited from lessons learned as the Zeno team determines the precise temperature and density needed for their xenon sample to reach the critical point. The critical point is the exact pressure and temperature at which the densities of coexisting liquid and vapor phases become identical. The clear xenon sample will essentially exist in both the liquid and gaseous states of matter. This is a phenomenon that cannot be accurately measured in Earth-based laboratories. Payload Commander Franklin Chang-Diaz completed setup of the Middeck Glovebox (MGBX) with a series of checks on the video cameras. These cameras are an important part of the self- contained Glovebox. The video capability of the Glovebox records the science for later analysis and allows investigators to view the experiments as they are done and make needed adjustments in real time. In the Glovebox, the crew will conduct a series of hands-on combustion science investigations. The first of these, the Forced Flow Flamespreading Test (FFFT), led by Dr. Kurt Sacksteder of the NASA Lewis Research Center, will be run Wednesday afternoon. Columbia's on-board acceleration sensors have given USMP researchers valuable information about how to make adjustments to enhance science collection. As the Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace goes through a "dress rehearsal" this evening, the sensors will make measurements that will enable the science team, led by Dr. Archie Fripp of the Langley Research Center, to work with Columbia's flight crew who will "tweak" the orbiter's position for maximum science return. The team's first experiment sample will be processed tomorrow. Status reports are issued from Marshall Space Flight Center's Spacelab Mission Operations Control at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays, and at 6 a.m. on weekends; and from Johnson Space Center's Mission Control at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For additional information, see the USMP-3 payload Internet homepage at http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/sts-75/usmp-3/usmp-3.html, the TSS-1R payload Internet homepage at http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/sts-75/tss-1r/tss-1r.html and the STS-75 Shuttle Mission Internet homepage at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/ shuttle/missions/sts-75/mission- sts-75.html or at http://shuttle.nasa.gov.