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| SPARTAN Secondary Experiments (SPAM, TEXAS, VGS) |
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| Overview |
| In addition to it's primary solar studies apparatus, SPARTAN 201-05 will also carry three secondary experiments: SPAM, TEXAS, and VGS. SPARTAN Auxiliary Mounting Plate (SPAM) The SPAM is a small equipment mounting plate that will provide a mounting location for small experiments or auxiliary equipment on the SPARTAN flight support structure (SFSS). A JSC-supplied accelerometer unit (WBSAAMD) will be flown on the SPAM. Technology Experiment Augmenting SPARTAN (TEXAS) TEXAS is a Goddard Space Flight Center radio frequency communications experiment being baselined for advanced SPARTAN missions. The system will be used to allow real-time downlink of solar images and uplink of pointing corrections. The link for this mission will provide a fine pointing adjustment to the WLC based on solar images downlinked real time. Video Guidance Sensor (VGS) The VGS flight experiment is a laser guidance system that will test a key component of the automated rendezvous and capture system (AR&C), a ranging and attitude measurement system being developed for the Reusable Launch Vehicle automated docking system. Until now, NASA missions involving spacecraft rendezvousing in orbit and one spacecraft capturing or connecting to another have relied on human control throughout those operations. The alternative is relying on an AR&C capability. System elements are being designed, developed, and tested by NASA to enable performing the task of spacecraft rendezvous and capture without having human operators at the controls. The AR&C technology under development at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., requires little or no ground support. Onboard sensors, computers, and navigation inputs from satellites provide the intelligence to complete docking maneuvers through automated operations. The system includes a video camera and dual-frequency lasers. A sensor will be mounted in the cargo bay of the space shuttle and an optical target on the SPARTAN spacecraft. The lasers will illuminate reflectors on SPARTAN--the VGSs target--and the reflected video images will define the exact position of the spacecraft and its distance from the space shuttle. The laser-video system offers improved accuracy over the use of radio frequency control systems for docking maneuvers. In ground testing, the system has homed in on its target at pinpoint accuracy--down to one-tenth of an inch. |
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