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| Getaway Special (GAS) Program |
| Payload Bay |
| 200 or less, each GAS payload |
| Prime: Steven Lindsey |  |
Principal Investigator: see individual GAS payloads |
| Backup: Curtis Brown | |
| Overview |
| Four Getaway Special (GAS) payloads will be aboard the STS-95 mission. G-467 (Capillary Pumped Loop) and G-779 (Hearts in Space) are described below. The other two GAS experiments, G-238 and G-764, are part of the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH)-03 payload. For more information see EXPERIMENTS. G-467: Capillary Pumped Loop (CPL) The objective of the G-467 GAS payload is to demonstrate in space the working principle and performance of a two-phase capillary pumped loop (CPL) with two advanced evaporators, a two-phase vapor quality sensor (VQS) with two condensers in parallel, and a control reservoir. This experiment is a modified reflight of G-557, which was flown on STS-60 in February 1994. The G-467 GAS payload is sponsored by the European Space Agency, Paris, France. The payload manager for this experiment is Andre Robelet. G-779: Hearts in Space G-779, or Hearts in Space, was developed by researchers at Bellarmine College in Louisville, Ky. The original Hearts in Space experiment (G-572) was initially flown aboard the space shuttle Discovery on STS-85 in August 1997. Because of the failure of a tape recorder electrical connector, which prevented the on-orbit recording of physiological pressure and flow data, the payload is being reflown. The purpose of the payload is to study why astronauts' hearts become smaller while in space. Principal investigators are Thomas E. Bennett, Ph.D., Department of Biology, Bellarmine College, Louisville; George M. Pantalos, Ph.D., Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City; and M. Keith Sharp, Sc.D., Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. |
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| History/Background |
| STS-95 is the 33rd shuttle mission to participate in NASA's Getaway Special (GAS) program, officially known as the Small, Self-Contained Payloads program. To ensure that diverse groups have access to space, NASA rotates payload assignments among three major categories of users: educational, foreign and commercial, and U.S. government. Since the program was first announced in the fall of 1976, almost 200 GAS payloads have been reserved and flown by foreign governments and individuals; U.S. industrialists, foundations, high schools, colleges and universities; professional societies; service clubs; and many others. Although persons and groups involved in space research have obtained many of the reservations, a large number of spaces have been reserved by persons and organizations outside the space community. There are no stringent requirements to qualify for space flight. However, each payload must meet specific safety criteria and be screened for its propriety as well as its educational, scientific, or technological objectives. These guidelines preclude commemorative items, such as medallions, that are intended for sale as objects that have flown in space. GAS requests must first be approved at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., by the director of the Transportation Services Office. At that point NASA screens the propriety objectives of each request. To complete the reservation process for GAS payloads, each request must be accompanied or preceded by the payment of $500 earnest money. Approved requests are assigned an identification number and referred to the GAS team at the Goddard Space Flight Center, the designated lead center for the project. The GAS team screens the proposals for safety and provides advice and consultation on payload design. It certifies that proposed payloads are safe and will not harm or interfere with the operations of the space shuttle, its crew, or other experiments on the flight. The costs of any physical testing required to answer safety questions before launch are borne by the GAS customer. NASA's space shuttle program has specific standards and conditions relating to GAS payloads. Payloads must fit NASA standard containers and weigh no more than 200 pounds. However, two or more experiments may be included in a single container if they fit in it and do not exceed weight limitations. The payload must be self-powered and not draw on the shuttle orbiter's electricity. In addition, payload designs should consider that the crew's involvement with GAS payloads will be limited to six simple activities (such as turning on and off up to three payload switches) because crew activity schedules do not provide opportunities to either monitor or service GAS payloads in flight. The cost of this unique service depends on the size and weight of the experiment. Getaway specials of 200 pounds and 5 cubic feet cost $10,000; 100 pounds and 2.5 cubic feet, $5,000; and 60 pounds and 2.5 cubic feet, $3,000. The weight of the GAS container, experiment mounting plate and its attachment screws, and all hardware regularly supplied by NASA is not charged to the experimenter's weight allowance. The GAS container provides internal pressure, which can be varied from near vacuum to about one atmosphere. The bottom and sides of the container are always thermally insulated, and the top may be insulated or not, depending on the specific experiment. A lid that can be opened or one with a window may be required. These may also be offered as options at additional cost. The GAS container is made of aluminum, and the circular end plates are 0.625-inch-thick aluminum. The bottom 3 inches of the container are reserved for NASA interface equipment, such as command decoders and pressure regulating systems. The container is a pressure vessel that can be evacuated before or during launch or on orbit and can be repressurized during reentry or on orbit, as required by the experimenter. The getaway bridge, which is capable of holding 12 canisters, made its maiden flight on STS 61-C. The aluminum bridge fits across the payload bay of the orbiter and offers a convenient and economical way of flying several GAS canisters. For additional information about NASA's Getaway Special program, contact the program manager, Code MC, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. 20546. The primary contact for payload users is the technical liaison, Code 740, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. 20771. |
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Editorial Contact Ed Campion
Technical Contact USA Web Master
