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Greetings and Salutations:

Please send changes / updates / information you think should be in this to:
Ken Hollis INTERNET: HOLLIS@TITAN.KSC.NASA.GOV  SPAN/HEPnet: KSCP00::HOLLIS
 
For the latest & greatest information call the following:
(407) 867-4636 - Space shuttle mission info.
(407) 867-2525 - Space shuttle launch preps.
(407) 867-3900 - Space shuttle status line (technical, lots of TLA's... just
remember, I warned you...)
 
Format and acronym abbreviations thankfully purloined from Steven Pietrobon,
steven@sal.levels.unisa.edu.au.
 
The abbreviations for the orbiter names are
 
Col     Columbia   (OV-102)
Dis     Discovery  (OV-103)
Atl     Atlantis   (OV-104)
End     Endeavour  (OV-105)
 
1 Nautical Mile (NM) is defined as exactly 1852 m, 1 nmi = 6076.1155 ft. 116 nm
= 215 Km, 153 nm = 283 Km, 160 nm = 296 Km, 163 nm = 302 Km, 190 nm = 352 Km,
200 nm = 370 Km, 233 nm = 432 Km, 250 nm = 463 Km, 318 nm = 589 Km.
 
The following is the complete SST Manifest.  Of course dates for any launches
longer than a "while off" (you interpret) are probably not real accurate.
 
      SPACE SHUTTLE PRELIMINARY September MANIFEST Dated 20 January 93
           FAWG Assessment
              Eastern Window  Inc.  Alt.
STS     Date    Time   h:mm   deg.   km  Orbiter    Payload
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 55  25 Feb 93  0938S  3:22  28.45  296  Col-14  SL-D2 (Spacelab Germany)
 56  23 Mar 93  0050S  1:59  57.00  296  Dis-16  ATLAS-2, SSBUV-A-02,
SPTN-201-1
 57  28 Apr 93  1245D  1:12  28.45  463  End-04  EURECA-1R, SPACEHAB-1
 51   9 Jul 93  0911D  1:23  28.45  296  Dis-17  ACTS, ORFEUS-SPAS 
 58  25 Aug 93  1200D  2:30  39.00  283  Col-15  SLS-2, EDO
 60  10 Nov 93  0927S  2:42  57.00  352  Dis-18  SPACEHAB-2, WSF-1,Cosmonaut
Flt
 61   2 Dec 93  0440S  0:57  28.45  589  End-05  HST SM-1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 62   8 Feb 94    -     -    28.45  296  Col-16  USMP-2
 59  14 Apr 94    -     -    57.00  215  Atl-13  SRL-1
 63  19 May 94    -     -    28.45  296  Dis-19  SPACEHAB-3, SPTN-201-02
 64  23 Jun 94    -     -    28.45  296  End-06  LITE-I, SPTN-204
 65  28 Jul 94    -     -      -    296  Col-17  IML-2
 66  22 Sep 94    -     -      -     -   Atl-14  ATLAS-3,CRISTA-SPAS,
SSBUV-A-03
 67  10 Nov 94    -     -      -     -   Dis-20  SPACEHAB-4, SPAS-III
 68   1 Dec 94    -     -      -    296  End-07  SRL-02
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 69  26 Jan 95    -     -      -    296  Col-18  ASTRO-2
 70  13 Apr 95    -     -      -     -   Dis-21  SPACEHAB-5, WSF-2
 71   1 Jun 95    -     -      -    296  Atl-15  Mir - R
 72  13 Jul 95    -     -      -    296  End-08  TDRS-G
 73  31 Aug 95    -     -      -    296  Dis-22  ORFEUS-SPAS, SSBUV-A-04
 74  28 Sep 95    -     -      -    296  Col-19  USML-2, EDO
 75  26 Oct 95    -     -      -    296  Atl-16  SPACEHAB-6, SFU Retrieval
 76   7 Dec 95    -     -      -     -   End-09  USMP-3, EURECA-2L, SPTN201-03
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S = EST, D = EDT, h = hours, m = minutes
ACTS    Advanced Communications Technology Satellite
ASP     Attitude Sensor Package
ATLAS   Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science
CANEX   Canadian Experiments
CAPL    Capillary Pump Loop Experiment
DOD     Department of Defense
DXS     Diffuse X-Ray Spectrometer
EDO     Extended Duration Orbiter
EURECA  European Retrievable Carrier
GAS     Get Away Special
GCP     Shuttle Glow and Cryogenic Heat Pipe Payload
HST SM  Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission
IML-2   International Microgravity Laboratory
LAGEOS  Laser Geodynamics Satellite
ORFEUS  Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer
SHOOT   Super Fluid Helium On Orbit Transfer Demonstration
SL-J    Spacelab Japan
SLS     Spacelab Life Sciences
SPAS    Shuttle Pallet Satellite
SPTN    Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool for Astronomy (aka SPARTAN)
SSBUV   Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultra-Violet Instrument
TDRS    Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
USMP    United States Microgravity Payload
WSF     Wake Shield Facility
 
1 Nautical Mile (NM) is defined as exactly 1852 m, 1 nmi = 6076.1155 ft. 153 nm
= 283 Km, 160 nm = 296 Km, 163 nm = 302 Km, 200 nm = 370 Km, 220 nm = 407 Km,
230 nm = 426 Km, 250 nm = 463 Km, 318 nm = 588 Km.
 
      SPACE SHUTTLE PRELIMINARY September MANIFEST Dated 20 January 93
           FAWG Assessment
              Eastern Window  Inc.  Alt.
STS     Date    Time   h:mm   deg.   km  Orbiter    Payload       (Continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 77  22 Feb 96    -     -      -    407  Col-20  SLS-3 (Space Life Sciences)
 78  21 Mar 96    -     -      -    407  Atl-17  SSF-MB-01 (FET)
 79  25 Apr 96    -     -      -    296  End-10  SSF-MB-02
 80   3 Jul 96    -     -      -    407  Col-21  EURECA-2R, WSF-3, JFD
 81   8 Aug 96    -     -      -    407  Dis-23  SPACEHAB-07, CRISTA-SPAS
 82  12 Sep 96    -     -      -    407  Atl-18  SSF-MB-03
 83  14 Nov 96    -     -      -    407  Col-22  SL-D3/E1 (Spacelab Europe)
 84  12 Dec 96    -     -      -    407  Dis-24  SSF-MB-04
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 85  20 Feb 97    -     -      -    407  Atl-19  SSF-MB-05
 86  27 Mar 97    -     -      -     -   End-11  HST SM-02
 87   1 May 97    -     -      -    407  Col-23  MSL-01
 88   5 Jun 97    -     -      -    407  Dis-25  USMP-04, AR&C, SSBUV-A-05
 89   7 Aug 97    -     -      -    407  End-12  SSF-MB-06 MTC
 90  11 Sep 97    -     -      -    407  Col-24  SSF-MB-06 A
 91  23 Oct 97    -     -      -    407  Dis-26  TDRS-H
 92  11 Dec 97    -     -      -    296  Atl-20  SSF-MB-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 93  22 Jan 98    -     -      -     -   End-13  SSF-UF-01
 94   2 Apr 98    -     -      -     -   Dis-27  SSF-MB-08
 95   7 May 98    -     -      -     -   Atl-21  SSF-UF-02
 96   2 Jul 98    -     -      -     -   Col-25  SSF-UF-03
 97  30 Jul 98    -     -      -     -   End-14  SSF-MB-09
 98   3 Sep 98    -     -      -     -   Dis-28  SSF-MB-10
 99  15 Oct 98    -     -      -     -   Atl-22  AXAF
100   3 Dec 98    -     -      -     -   Col-26  SSF-UF-04
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101  14 Jan 99    -     -      -     -   End-15  SSF-MB-11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ATLAS   Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science
CRISTA  Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometer Telescope for Atmosphere
EDO     Extended Duration Orbiter
EURECA  European Retrievable Carrier
LITE    Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment
MTC     Manned Tended Capability
PL OPPTY   Payload Opportunity
SFU-RETR   Space Flyer Unit Retrieval
SPTN    Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool for Astronomy (aka SPARTAN)
SSBUV   Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultra-Violet Instrument
SSF-MB  Space Station Freedom Manned Base
SSF-UF  Space Station Freedom Utilization Flight
USML    United States Microgravity Laboratory
USMP    United States Microgravity Payload
WSF     Wake Shield Facility
The shuttle press kit is available from ames.arc.nasa.gov (128.102.18.3).  This
is available through the anonymous ftp.
 
Thanks to werners@novavax.UUCP for additional hints on Shuttle Viewing.  You
Can view of shuttle launches right from the base.  The KSC visitor center
offers bus rides from the visitor's center to a site about 6  miles from the
launch pad. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children. For information and
reservations you will need to call 407-452-2121  Ext. 260...(This is the BEST
and closest view.)
 
You may write to the following address for a launch pass:
 
NASA Vehicle Pass
PA - Pass
Kennedy Space Center, FL
                      32899
 
In general, if you know the launch that you wish, ask for that launch.  If you
know a general time frame, then ask for that time frame.
jbatka@desire.wright.edu does, however, have a short-cut on how to get launch
pass on short notice, call your Senator's or House Representative's office.
 
If you are unable to obtain a launch pass, fred-mckenzie@ksc.nasa.gov suggests:
If you decide to come to the coast for the launch, I suggest you come to
Titusville.  Go east on State Road 50 from I-95, to US-1.  Go north on US-1 to
the "Miracle City Mall" at Harrison, across the street from the Post Office. 
Park in the Mall parking lot, and walk across US-1, to behind the Post Office.
 
Just park across (and a little north) of the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building). 
The building is across the river and has painted on the side the U.S. flag &
bicentennial symbol.  Anywhere north along highway 1, or east (as far as you
can) along highway 406 (402) is good (specifically Sand Point Park), just as
long as you can see the VAB and don't have trees blocking the view.  Also you
can try Jetty Park at Port Canaveral. (you will be south of the launch  looking
north).
 
Are you a Ham?  If you have a two meter receiver or a scanner along, tune to
146.94 MHz.  John Anderson, K4GCC, rebroadcasts the "NASA Select" audio channel
on his repeater.  Other popular repeaters in the immediate area are 145.37,
146.91, 146.97, 147.36, 444.150 and 444.750.
 
Regardless of where you are going to see it, arrive early (at least 2 hours
before launch). Be prepared to get into some real heavy traffic, it will also
take some time to get out of the area. Bring along some food and drink,
umbrellas, sun glasses, sun screen, portable TV/radio, binoculars,
VCR.....whatever
 
When watching a launch, listen to FM Station 91.5 (It is a local religious
station) or AM 580 out of Orlando (Thanx to Matthew DeLuca).  NASA Select
Television is available directly via satellite from GE Satcom F2R, transponder
13, C-Band, 72 degrees West Longitude, transponder frequency is 3960.0
megahertz, audio subcarrier is 6.8 MHz, polarization is vertical.
 
TV : Local stations such as 56, 2, 6 & 9 sometimes have live coverage.  They
usually just interrupt the program that is in progress for the final 2 minutes
of prelaunch, and then a couple of minutes after launch.  Same for landing.
 
The Space Shuttle transmits on three frequency bands: UHF, S-Band, and Ku-Band. 
The UHF frequencies are simple AM voice and are very easy to copy.  These
frequencies are used for launch and landing operations, EVA operations, and as
an additional voice downlink when other channels are in use for the current
ground station has no S-Band capability.
 
The frequencies in use are:
 296.800 MHz : Air-to-ground, or orbiter to suit
 259.700 MHz : Air-to-ground, or suit to orbiter
 279.000 MHz : Suit-to-orbiter, or suit-to-suit
 243.000 MHz : Standard military aircraft emergency frequency
 
 146.94 MHz & 146.82 MHz - Rebroadcast HAM frequencies.
 
The S-Band system is one of the primary orbiter downlink bands.  The voice
channels are digital slope delta modulated and are multiplexed in with the rest
of the orbiter telemetry and is very difficult to copy.  Much of the downlink
TV is on S-Band also, but is wideband FM and should be easy to copy.  The
frequencies are:
 
2287.500 MHz : Primary digital downlink
2250.000 MHz : Wideband FM with either main engine analog telemetry during
               launch, or TV during orbit operations.
 
The Ku-Band system is used in conjunction with the tracking and data relay
satellites and is used much more heavily in Spacelab flights than in others.
The data rate is VERY high (50 Mbits/second).  These transmissions are directed
to TDRS satellites in geostationary orbit on a frequency of 15.003 GHz.
 
[Info via WA3NAN, and WA4SIR]
 
Expendable Vehicles
===================
These are usually launched from the southern part of the base, best viewing is
at Jetty Park or south along the beaches of Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Not
as crowed as shuttle launches, but still give yourself some time to arrive
early. Jetty park can fill up so plan an alternate. Again bring your stuff.
 
For a landing pass at Edwards, Thanks To Mary Shafer
shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov :
 
There are three ways to see the Shuttle landing at Edwards AFB, listed in order
of restrictiveness of access and availability.
 
1.  The East Shore area on the lakebed.  Take Hwy. 14 to Avenue F and follow
the signs or take Hwy. 58 to 20 Mule Team Road and follow those signs.  This
area is opened about 2 days before the scheduled touchdown.  The viewing area
is an unimproved area so don't expect many amenities.  I think that there are
sanitary facilities and that food and drinks can be purchased.  It's suggested
that you bring food and water Nothing is required for access to this area. 
(I've never been to this area, so I can't speak from personal knowledge.) If
any viewing is allowed this site will be open.  The only times they don't open
it is for the DoD's classified missions.
 
2.  The hillside viewing area.  This is on the hillside, just above
Ames-Dryden, and requires a special pass.  This pass is good for one vehicle,
with any number of passengers.  You can't enter the Ames-Dryden complex but you
can walk down the hill to the cafeteria and the gift shop, etc.  More
amenities, including radio transmissions from the Shuttle and JSC.  Some of us
believe that this area has the BEST view of the landing.  I believe that the
Hillside, like the East Shore, is open for all unclassified missions.  These
passes can be obtained by writing, as detailed below. Ames-Dryden employees can
also obtain them.
 
3.  Official guest.  Access to the Ames-Dryden complex.  You get to watch the
landing from the ramp, which is right on the lakebed.  (The Shuttle lands some
distance away, depending on which runway it uses.) The crew speaks to the crowd
just before they return to JSC.  There are special aircraft displays (including
the SR-71, F-15, F-18, X-29, etc.) in the hangars.  The radio transmissions are
broadcast.  This method is only predicted for a few missions this year. Opening
the Facility is fairly labor-intensive and very disruptive, so we won't do it
for every possible mission.
 
You can write, as detailed below, to obtain these badges and parking permits. 
To obtain a hillside pass or official guest badges, write to:
 
NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 273
Edwards, CA  92523-5000
 
Do this early, because there is a limited amount of space.  If you get these
and then discover that you can't attend, please try to pass them on to someone
else who can use them.  Incidentally, there is _no_ charge for any of these.
 
Come see the Shuttle land--it's great.
 
Wear warm clothes!
 
If the Shuttle lands in the morning, it will be cool to downright cold.  Forget
the myth that the desert is always hot, it may be in the low 60s even in the
summer at sunrise.  It's frequently freezing in the winter.  If it's much
warmer, it's because the wind is blowing.
 
However, if you're an Official Guest and will be hanging around until the
Astronaut Departure Ceremony, it may be warm by then.  Wear layers.
 
Especially, wear warm footwear.  Official Guests will be standing around on the
cold, cold ramp and all your body heat will seep out of your feet into the
concrete heat sink.  Running shoes work well.  Hillside Guests will be sitting
up on metal bleachers.  The portions of their anatomy in contact with the
bleachers (feet and seat) may get _real_ cold.
 
The Public Affairs Office at the Johnson Space Center operates a BBS to provide
information to the public.  Check this board for updates to the keplerian
element sets during the flight.  To access the BBS, call +1-713-483-2500 using
1200 baud (do NOT connect at 2400 baud), 8-N-1, at the ENTER NUMBER: prompt,
enter "62511" and you will be connected to the BBS.  Direct dial numbers are
1-713-483-2419 and 1-713-483-2278.  Check file area 30 or 99 for latest element
sets.
 
NASA JSC's Electronic Space Information BBS is intended to provide 24-hour
access to biographies of NASA officials and astronauts, news releases, space
flight mission press kits and television schedules, space shuttle systems
information, flight manifests and schedules, and other information about the
space program. 
 
If you are or know a teacher, and they would like some teaching material, have
them write to the following address with the pertinent information :
 
NASA
PA - EAB
Kennedy Space Center, FL
                      32899
 
To receive the "NASA Report To Educators" and other NASA publications, write to
the address below :
Educational Publications Services
Mail Code XEP
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC  20546
 
Serving inquiries related to space exploration and other activities:
 
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Teacher Resource Center
JPL Educational Outreach
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Mail Code CS-530
Pasadena, CA  91109
(818) 354-6916  Fax: (818) 354-8080
 
Serving all states through workshops and materials:
 
National Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian Institution
Education Resource Center, MRC 305
Washington, DC  20560
(202) 786-2109  Fax: (202) 786-2262
 
Or have them call: THE NASA SPACELINK, Huntsville, Alabama,24 Hours, 300-2400
BAUD, 8N1,(205) 895-0028, or Telnet via spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov. Or FEDIX
1-800-232-4879, 301-258-0953, 1200 or 2400 BAUD, an on-line service that links
education community and the federal government.  Info on NASA, Department Of
Energy, Office Of Naval Research, Federal Aviation Administration & Minority
Info.  MSFC's spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov, now accepts ftp connects at
192.149.89.61, using username of anonymous, and a password of guest.  I
understand it is still in the experimental stage, and they are looking for user
feedback.
 
tkelso@afit.af.mil tells us : The most current orbital elements from the NORAD
two-line element sets are carried on the Celestial BBS, (513) 427-0674, and are
updated several times weekly.  Documentation and tracking software are also
available on this system.  The Celestial BBS may be accessed 24 hours/day at
300, 1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600 bps using 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. 
Orbital data available on T. S. Kelso's BBS is also available by ftp at
archive.afit.af.mil, in the /pub/space directory.  Another good source of Space
shuttle 2-line orbital elements is the RPV ASTRONOMY BBS (310-541-7299).


-- 
-----------------------------------------------
Ken Hollis  INTERNET: HOLLIS@TITAN.KSC.NASA.GOV
            SPAN/HEPnet: KSCP00::HOLLIS
Due to additional budget constraints, the light at the end of the tunnel
will be turned off until further notice...