Jan 11 1978
From The Space Library
KSC announced award of a $3.5 million contract to Federal Systems Division, Honeywell Information Systems, for delivery of a central data subsystem for Shuttle launch processing, consisting of two large scale computers sharing a common memory that would store test procedures, a master-program library, pre- and post-test data analyses, and other types of data to support Shuttle checkout, countdown, and launch. KSC had procured the subsystem for Vandenberg AFB for a second Shuttle launch and processing facility. (KSC Release 3-78)
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) announced that Corning Glass Works, Canton, N.Y., had begun work on a foot-thick primary-mirror blank for the Space Telescope, for which the center would have overall management responsibility. The telescope had been scheduled for launch in 1983. Corning would deliver two 8ft discs to Perkin-Elmer Corp. for grinding and polishing and telescope assembly; Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. would build the primary spacecraft and support system, and integrate the complete telescope. Glass had been used for the mirror blank as it would change shape only slightly with temperature changes during viewing; the titanium-silicate mirror blank would have zero expansion on a scale used by physicists. Aperture of the mirror blank was about 94in; diameter of the center hole was about 2ft. (Marshall Star, Jan 11/78, 4)
MSFC announced successful completion of the first test of the Space Shuttle external tank, a major milestone leading to firing tests of the Shuttle's main propulsion system. The Dec. 21 test assured that the main propulsion test article (the test facility and associated hardware) could handle super-cold propellants, liquid hydrogen, and liquid oxygen used by the Shuttle main engine. Propellants used to fill the external tank had flowed through connecting piping to the 3 engines until stopped by the main-engine valve; test engineers then made sure the engines had cooled down to operating temperature, several hundred degrees below zero. A series of static firings of the external tank, a simulated orbiter with a flight aft fuselage, three main engines, and associated piping would validate system operation. (Marshall Star, Jan 11/78, 4)
A simulated Space Shuttle orbiter had represented the Enterprise during practice hoists into the tall tower where the latter would soon be tested, the Marshall Star reported. The real orbiter had recently completed a series of landing tests in Calif. and would next undergo-a series of tests at MSFC to see how the orbiter and other Shuttle components would maintain guidance and control under vibration during launch and powered flight. MSFC engineers would use the simulated orbiter to rehearse tests; for example, they had towed the simulator along center roadways to check clearances. The team had then practiced hoisting the simulator into the 131m (430ft) test stand. After completing tests at MSFC, the simulator would go by barge to KSC to check out procedures for launch. Vandenberg AFB had asked to borrow the simulator for its Shuttle launch facilities. (Marshall Star, Jan 11/78, 1')
Tass reported that the USSR launched Soyuz 27 from Tyuratam on Jan. 10, 1978, at 7:26pm Moscow time to dock with the already occupied orbital station Salyut 6. Crewmen were Lt. Col. Vladimir Dzhanibekov, commander, and (c)leg Makarov, civilian flight engineer. Soyuz 26 had been docked with Salyut 6 since Dec. 11, 1977; the 2 crews would carry out research and experiments on board. (FBIS, Tass in English, Jan 11/78)
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