| STS-40 | |||||
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Mission
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| Mission statistics | |||||
| Mission name | STS-40 | ||||
| Space shuttle | Columbia | ||||
| Launch pad | 39-B | ||||
| Launch date | June 5, 1991, 9:24:51 a.m. EDT | ||||
| Landing | June 14, 1991, 8:39:11 a.m. PDT, Runway 22, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif | ||||
| Mission duration | 9/02:14:20 | ||||
| Number of orbits | 146 | ||||
| Orbital altitude | 157 nautical miles (291 km) | ||||
| Orbital inclination | 39 degrees | ||||
| Distance traveled | 3,779,940 miles (6,083,223 km) | ||||
| Crew photo | |||||
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STS-40, the eleventh launch of Space Shuttle Columbia, was a nine-day mission. It carried the Spacelab module for Spacelab Life Sciences 1 (SLS-1), the fifth Spacelab mission and the first dedicated solely to biology.
Contents |
| Position | Astronaut | |
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| Commander | Bryan D. O'Connor Second spaceflight |
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| Pilot | Sidney M. Gutierrez First spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 1 | James P. Bagian Second spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 2 | Tamara E. Jernigan First spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 3 | M. Rhea Seddon Second spaceflight |
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| Payload Specialist 1 | F. Drew Gaffney First spaceflight |
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| Payload Specialist 2 | Millie Hughes-Fulford First spaceflight |
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Launch originally set for May 22, 1991. Mission postponed less than 48 hours before launch when it became known that a leaking liquid hydrogen transducer in orbiter main propulsion system which was removed and replaced during leak testing in 1990, had failed an analysis by vendor. Engineers feared that one or more of the nine liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen transducers protruding into fuel and oxidizer lines could break off and be ingested by the engine turbopumps, causing engine failure.
In addition, one of orbiter five general purpose computers failed completely, along with one of the multiplexer demultiplexers that control orbiter hydraulics ordinance and orbiter maneuvering system / reaction control system functions in aft compartment.
New general purpose computer and multiplexer demultiplexer were installed and tested. One liquid hydrogen and two liquid oxygen transducers were replaced upstream in propellant flow system near the 17-inch (43 cm) disconnect area, which is protected by internal screen. Three liquid oxygen transducers replaced at engine manifold area, while three liquid hydrogen transducers here were removed and openings plugged. Launch reset for 8 a.m. EDT, June 1, but postponed again after several attempts to calibrate inertial measurement unit 2 failed. Unit was replaced and retested, and launch was rescheduled for June 5. Launched successfully on June 5, 1991, at 9:24:51 a.m. EDT., the mission had a launch Weight: 251,970 lb (114,290 kg).
It was the fifth dedicated Spacelab mission, Spacelab Life Sciences-1, and first dedicated solely to life sciences, using the habitable module. Mission featured most detailed and interrelated physiological measurements in space since 1973–1974 Skylab missions. Subjects were humans, 30 rodents and thousands of tiny jellyfish. Primary SLS-1 experiments studied six body systems; of 18 investigations, ten involved humans, seven involved rodents, and one used jellyfish.
Six body systems investigated were cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary (heart, lungs and blood vessels); renal/endocrine (kidneys and hormone-secreting organs and glands); blood (blood plasma); immune system (white blood cells); musculoskeletal (muscles and bones); and neurovestibular (brains and nerves, eyes and inner ear). Other payloads included twelve Getaway Special (GAS) canisters installed on GAS bridge in cargo bay for experiments In materials science, plant biology and cosmic radiation (see G-616); Middeck Zero-Gravity Dynamics Experiment (MODE); and seven Orbiter Experiments (OEX).
Landing was on June 14, 1991, at 8:39:11 a.m. PDT, on Runway 22, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Rollout distance: 9,403 feet (2866 m). Rollout time: 55 seconds. Orbiter returned to KSC June 21. Landing Weight: 226,535 lb (102,755 kg).
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