STS-38 MISSION SUMMARY – On Orbit
"Things are going well since we don't hear otherwise."
- Billie Deason, STS-38 PAO
Two planned Detailed Supplementary Objectives were successfully completed: DSO 473 – Delay Type Hypersensitivity – The objective of DSO 473 was to evaluate the extent of the delayed-type hypersensitivity mechanism during spaceflight; DSO 477 – Muscle Performance – DSO 477 was designed to test concentric and eccentric muscle contractions of crew members during spaceflight. DSO 462 – Non-Invasive Estimation of Central Venous Pressure During Spaceflight – This DSO was deleted prior to flight because of weight considerations. The objective of DSO 462 was to evaluate central venous pressure of crewmembers during spaceflight.
When the crew compartment vacuum cleaner was turned on at 321:02:29 GMT, circuit breaker 29 on panel L4 opened. Data review indicated that a short existed in the vacuum cleaner motor; however, as a precautionary measure, the outlet to which the vacuum cleaner was connected was not used for the remainder of the mission. Alternate procedures were used to clean screens, etc., after loss of the vacuum cleaner. Postflight testing revealed a short circuit in the vacuum cleaner motor.
A small water leak was noted at the MV3 valve in the galley. This leak was similar to that noted on STS-41. The leak was wiped up with a towel and the leak did not impact the use of the galley in any manner. The crew also reported that the galley rehydration station initially dispensed two cups of water and then stopped dispensing. The crew performed the malfunction procedure and regained the dispensing capability.
A Ku-band power amplifier problem was noted, and the problem was isolated to a circuit breaker which had not been closed. The crew closed the circuit breaker and subsequent subsystem performance was nominal. CCTV cameras C and D were reported by the crew to be malfunctioning. Camera C could not be focused by the crew, and camera D had no indication of power. The crew cycled the TV system power and these problems were corrected. The two cameras operated properly for the remainder of the flight. An over-current condition in the low-voltage power supply of TV monitor 2 was noted. The crew performed malfunction procedures, but satisfactory monitor operation was not recovered. Monitor 1 was used for the remainder of the mission.
The OMS 3 and 4 and two RCS maneuvers were satisfactorily completed and all parameters remained within acceptable ranges. On Flight Day 3, the RCS hot-fire test was successfully completed. The Flight Control System checkout was completed using APU 3, and performance of all subsystems during the FCS checkout was nominal.
(STS-38 Space Shuttle Mission Report, NSTS-08308, January 1991 – edited)