Launch (procedures)
}} Parameters: HAB fuel load @ MES = 25000 kg
- intercept target’s orbital altitude = 315 km
- HAB intended orbital altitude = 350 km (so we end up above the target)
Abreviations: MES = main engine start
- MECO = main engine cut-off
- SRBI = solid rocket booster ignition
- MET = mission elapsed time
- Qmax = point of maximum dynamic atmospheric pressure indicated
- by top readout in second display box on orbit software
Plan: The spacecraft is vulnerable to re-entry in the case of engine failure until orbital Vtan is reached. Launch to orbit profile is designed to minimize the time taken to reach ref Vo orbital speed. Initial vertical launch takes the spacecraft out of the thick part of the atmosphere as rapidly as possible to minimize fuel use and time to reach orbital speed. Roll to ccw prog orientation is initiated at a point such that when ccw prog orientation is reached, the spacecraft has the necessary vertical velocity to coast up to the desired orbital altitude while the engines are used only to accelerate the spacecraft to the necessary Vtan as rapidly as possible. If the procedure is followed, the spacecraft should reach the desired maximum orbital altitude (Vcen = 0) at the same time as Vtan reached the required value to maintain a circular orbit at that altitude. This minimizes the time taken to circularize the orbit after final MECO. With the correct angular separation from the target at liftoff, the spacecraft should reach the top of its orbit and complete circularization just as the target pulls along side.
Procedure
GUIDO confirms time that target reaches angle for spacecraft liftoff using ORBIT5tm. This time is communicated to FIDO who ensures that it is loaded into ORBIT5sd as the mission start time (MST).
| MET | Conditions | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| -0:30:00 | Flight engineer cold-starts reactor & brings all systems online.
HAB main engine systems remain off. FIDO ensures ABORT landing site is entered into ORBITsd: 17oW Pilot: cen=HAB; targ=earth; ref=earth; NAVmode=deprt ref press “t” and <space> to lock view center targ = ISS HAB EECOM performs pressure test: Each compartment pressurized 20% above ambient one at a time. HAB & MC EECOM confirm that: pressure is stable. pressure warnings activate door warnings activate HAB EECOM returns each compartment to normal pressure HAB & MC EECOM confirm all compart @ normal gas pressures. | |
| -0:10:00 | Flight engineer confirms with MC that all engineering systems are functioning within limits.
HAB fuel load = 26000 kg (load or unload as needed) Pilot and GUIDO confirm RSCP = on RSC fuel = 100 Pilot and GUIDO confirm RSCP system functioning Pilot makes small impulses using RCS in all 4 directions Pilot & GUIDO confirm that RSC fuel drops and recharges Main engine test ION and ACC on for all engines fuel injectors OFF 10% throttle: main bus = 48745.2A 9988V; 1765 kg/hr fuel flow | |
| -0:06:45 | HRT = 40o | Mission commander and flight director confirm that:
a) all personnel are in place in spacecraft and mission control b) all software is running and is time synchronized c) that all spacecraft systems are configured for launch |
| -0:04:15 | HRT = 30o | Mission commander and flight director confirm GO FOR LAUNCH status from all stations in HAB and MC.
Mission commander and flight director confirm GO FOR LAUNCH status with each other. |
| -0:01:50 | HRT = 20o | Engineer and GUIDO confirm 25000 kg fuel on board
GUIDO displays intended track: press Z & select launch1 to redraw track, press z Pilot and GUIDO confirm NAVmode=deprt ref |
| -0:01:00 | Engineer sets HAB engine fuel injectors to ON
Engineer and FIDO confirm fuel injectors, ION, ACC, RSCP are ON | |
| -0:00:30 | Pilot: throttle to 70%
GUIDO & Engineer confirm 70%@ | |
| -0:00:20 | Engineer & FIDO confirm engineering parameters are within limits:
Pilot & GUIDO confirm engine acceleration >10.00 m/s2 | |
| -0:00:10 | Mission commander confirms GO FOR LAUNCH status | |
| -0:00:02 | HRT = 12.92o | Engineer initiates SRB ignition |
| 0:00:00 | HRT = 12.76o | Pilot confirms SRB ignition and liftoff
Pilot & Guido confirm acceleration > 53.9 m/s2 (accel increases at constant engine setting as fuel mass drops) |
| 0:00:02 | Pilot: sets NAVmode = MAN
GUIDO confirms new settings | |
| 0:00:17 | Qmax
Vcen > 480 m/s |
Pilot increases throttle to 90%
GUIDO confirms throttle and Vcen Engineer & FIDO confirm engineering systems within limits main bus: 434430.8A, 9891V fuel flow: 15649 kg/hr reactor temp climbing (eventually stabilizes @ 107) Pilot and GUIDO confirm accel > 56.9 m/s2 |
| 0:00:31 | alt = 13.00 km
Vcen < -740 m/s |
Pilot initiates 2o/s ccw roll
HAB & MC EECOM confirm: ambient pressure drop compartment pressure stable interior door warnings off exterior door warnings on compartment gas levels stable |
| 0:1:17 | oriented ccw prog
Vcen < -1640 m/s Vtan > 1520 m/s alt > 70.00 km apoapsis > 215 km |
Pilot: roll maneuver to ccw prog completed by pressing F2
GUIDO confirms NAVmode = ccw prog GUIDO confirms orbital parameters within normal limits |
| 0:01:32 | alt = 100.00 km
Vcen < -1550 m/s Vtan > 2550 m/s |
Confirm atmospheric drag < 0.001 m/s2 |
| 0:02:01 | alt = 140.00 km
Vcen < -1300 m/s Vtan > 4000 m/s apoapsis > 280 km |
Confirm SRB shutdown
Pilot and GUIDO confirm accel > 13.1 m/s2 |
| 0:02:15 | ABORT decision | Engineer & FIDO check engineering systems within normal limits
reactor temp < 107 main bus: 434430.8A, 9891V fuel flow: 15649 kg/hr accel > 13.1 m/s2 HAB & MC EECOM confirm: ambient pressure zero compartment pressure stable interior door warnings off exterior door warnings on compartment gas levels stable int./ext. RAD levels acceptable |
