U.S. Space Shuttle (Space Transport System)
Payloads - Solar System Research
U.S. Space Shuttle (Space Transport System)
Payloads - Solar System Research
Almost every shuttle flight included some research experiments using the environment of the orbiting spacecraft. These ranged from payloads in the shuttle cabin mid deck to dedicated missions using pressurised habitat modules and/or un-pressurised carriers in the shuttle payload bay.
The large number of experiments exceeds the scope of this article, therefore only primary payload experiments are covered.
The experiment payloads summarised in this page are in the areas of :-
▽ 1. Micro Gravity Research - Experiments and research using the microgravity environment in the Shuttle while in orbit.
▽ 2. Space Exposure Research - Experiments and research using exposure to space outside the Shuttle while in orbit.
The microgravity environment is a synonym for weightlessness, but indicates that g-forces are not quite zero, just very small.
The shuttle flies in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at around 400 km altitude. This orbit creates weightlessness which allows research in a microgravity environment. This section summarises the main research carried out in this area during shuttle missions.
The primary microgravity research experiment payloads are shown in the table below and the following paragraphs.
| Acronym | Name | STS No. | Year |
| MLR | Monodisperse Latex Reactor | 3, 4, 6, 7, 41B | 1982-84 |
| CFES | Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System | 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 41D, 51D, 61B |
1982-85 |
| Spacelab | Spacelab 1, 3 | 9, 51B | 1983-85 |
| Spacelab | Spacelab D-1, D-2 | 61A, 55 | 1985, 1993 |
| DMOS | Diffused Mixing of Organic Solutions experiment | 51A | 1984 |
| MSL | Materials Science Laboratory-2 | 61C | 1986 |
| SLS | Spacelab Life Sciences-1, 2 | 40, 58 | 1991, 1993 |
| IML | International Microgravity Laboratory-1, 2 | 42, 65 | 1992, 1994 |
| Spacelab | Spacelab J | 47 | 1992 |
| USML | U.S. Microgravity Laboratory-1, 2 | 50, 73 | 1992, 1995 |
| SPACEHAB | SPACEHAB 1 to 5 | 57, 60, 63, 77, 95 |
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 |
| Spacelab | Spacelab LMS | 78 | 1996 |
| MSL | Microgravity Science Laboratory-1a, 1b | 83, 94 | 1997 |
| Neurolab | Neurolab | 90 | 1998 |
| IEH | International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker | 95 | 1998 |
A materials processing in space experiment carried in the shuttle's mid-deck to produce uniform micrometer-sized latex particles.
[STS-3, 4, 6, 7, 41B] (1982-1984)
(Ref: NASA MLR)
Designed to separate biological materials according to their surface electrical charge as they pass through an electric field. Carried in the shuttle's mid-deck.
[STS-3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 41D, 51D, 61B] (1982-1985)
(Ref: NASA CFES)
Used a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM) and one un-pressurised Spacelab Pallet exposed to space. A multi-disciplinary mission of more than 70 experiments in five areas of scientific research: Astronomy and Solar Physics; Space Plasma Physics; Atmospheric Physics and Earth observations; Life Sciences; and Materials Science.
About half of the experiments were situated on the pallet and the others in the module. Two experiments had components both on the pallet and in the module. Some of the experiments operated automatically, while others were operated from the ground or by the shuttle crew.
[STS-9] (1983)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab)
Used a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM) and a Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure (MPESS). Research included materials science, life sciences, fluid mechanics, atmospheric physics and astronomy. Investigations were developed by U.S., French and Indian scientists.
[STS-51B] (1985)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab)
Both missions used a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM). D is for Deutschland because the missions were largely funded and directed by West Germany. D-1 also used a Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure (MPESS) and D-2 used a Unique Support Structure (USS).
Scientific experiments were performed in fluid physics, with experiments in capillarity, Marangoni convection, diffusion phenomena, and critical points; solidification experiments; single crystal growth; composites; biological studies, including cell functions, developmental processes, and the ability of plants to perceive gravity; medical experiments, including the gravitational perceptions of humans, and their adaptation processes in space; and speed-time interaction studies of people working in space.
[STS-61A, 55] (1985, 1993)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab)
Comprehensive organic and polymer science experiments sponsored by the 3M Corp. These were mid deck experiments and the proprietary results were turned over to 3M Corp.
[STS-51A] (1984)
(Ref: NASA DMOS)
A structure for experiments involving liquid bubble suspension by sound waves, melting and re-solidification of metallic samples and container-less melting and solidification of electrically conductive specimens.
[STS-61C] (1986)
Combined data from SLS-1 and SLS-2 will help build comprehensive picture of how humans and animals adapt to weightlessness.
* SLS-1 Used a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM). It was first mission dedicated solely to life sciences, using the habitable module. The mission featured the most detailed and interrelated physiological measurements in space since 1973-1974 Skylab missions. The experiments studied six body systems of humans, rodents and thousands of tiny jellyfish.
* SLS-2 Used a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM) and an Extended Duration Orbiter pallet (EDO). It had fourteen experiments conducted in four areas: regulatory physiology, cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal and neuroscience.
[STS-40, 58] (1991, 1993)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab)
Both missions used a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM). IML-2 also used an Extended Duration Orbiter pallet (EDO). They explored in depth the complex effects of weightlessness on living organisms and materials processing. The International crew researched the human nervous system's adaptation to low gravity and the effects of microgravity on other life forms such as shrimp eggs, lentil seedlings, fruit fly eggs, and bacteria. Materials processing experiments were also conducted, including crystal growth from enzymes.
[STS-42, 65] (1992, 1994)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab, Extended Duration Orbiter ESA IML-1, IML-2)
A joint NASA and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) mission using a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM) to conduct microgravity investigations in materials and life sciences. Materials science covered biotechnology, electronic materials, fluid dynamics, glasses and ceramics, metals and alloys, and acceleration measurements. Life sciences included experiments on human health, cell separation and biology, developmental biology, animal and human physiology and behavior, space radiation, and biological rhythms.
[STS-47] (1992)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab)
Both missions used a pressurised Spacelab Long Modules (LM) and Extended Duration Orbiter pallets (EDO) for advanced microgravity research in a broad number of disciplines. The 13 day USML-1 mission was the first EDO flight and the longest space shuttle mission to date and provided new information on the effects of long-term crew stay in space.
[STS-50, 73] (1992, 1995)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab, Extended Duration Orbiter)
Used a pressurised Single Module (SM) with various microgravity experiments.
* SPACEHAB 1 Experiments studied body posture, the spacecraft environment, crystal growth, metal alloys, wastewater recycling and the behavior of fluids. Among the experiments was an evaluation of maintenance equipment that may be used on the ISS.
* SPACEHAB 2 Included four experiments with materials science topics, seven life sciences investigations, and a space dust collection experiment.
* SPACEHAB 3 Included 20 experiments: 11 biotechnology experiments, three advanced materials development experiments, four technology demonstrations and two pieces of supporting hardware measuring on-orbit accelerations.
* SPACEHAB 4 Included experiments and support equipment for 12 commercial space product development payloads in the areas of biotechnology, electronic materials, polymers and agriculture as well as several experiments for other NASA payload organizations. One of these, the CFZF, was developed through international collaboration between the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
[STS-57, 60, 63, 77] (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996)
(Ref: rdata space SPACEHAB Wikipedia SPACEHAB)
Used a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM) and an Extended Duration Orbiter pallet (EDO). Five space agencies (U.S., Europe, France, Canada, Italy) and research scientists from 10 countries worked together on Life and Microgravity (LMS) experiments. These included life sciences, which included human physiology and space biology, and microgravity science, which included basic fluid physics investigations, advanced semiconductor and metal alloy materials processing, and medical research in protein crystal growth.
[STS-78] (1996)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab, Extended Duration Orbiter)
Used pressurised Spacelab Long Modules (LM) and an Extended Duration Orbiter pallets (EDO). MSL built on the IML, USML, Spacelab-J, LMS and the Spacelab D missions.
MSL featured 19 materials science investigations in four major facilities. These facilities were the Large Isothermal Furnace, the EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to the Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack, the Electromagnetic Containerless Processing Facility (TEMPUS) and the Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures (CSLM) facility, the Droplet Combustion Experiment (DCE) and the Combustion Module-1 Facility. MSL-1a mission was shortened, so MSL-1b was flown to complete the experiments.
[STS-83, 94] (1997)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab, Extended Duration Orbiter NASA MSL-1)
Used a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM) and an Extended Duration Orbiter pallet (EDO). Experiments focused on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system to increase the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for neurological and behavioral changes in space. The mission was a joint venture of the space agencies of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the European Space Agency and seven U.S. research agencies. Investigator teams conducted 31 studies in the microgravity environment of space. Test subjects were rats, mice, crickets, snails, two kinds of fish and the crew members themselves.
[STS-90] (1998)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab, Extended Duration Orbiter NASA Neurolab)
Used a pressurised Single Module (SM) with a variety of experiments sponsored by NASA, the Japanese Space Agency (NASDA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) focused on life sciences, microgravity sciences and advanced technology.
[STS-95] (1998)
(Ref: rdata space SPACEHAB Wikipedia SPACEHAB)
Different experiments mounted on a support structure carried in the shuttle's payload bay. The experiments were the Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (SEH), an Ultraviolet Spectrograph Telescope for Astronomical Research (UVSTAR), the STAR-LITE payload which made observations of extended and diffused astrophysical targets, the CONCAP-IV payload designed to grow thin films via physical vapor transport, the Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT) and a Getaway Special (GAS) payload.
[STS-95] (1998)
(Ref: Wikipedia Hitchhiker Program)
The shuttle flies in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at around 400 km altitude. This is in the Earth's thermosphere with an air pressure of around 1 Pascal, or near vacuum. Various shuttle missions carried experiments in the payload bay on un-pressurised pallets to use this near vacuum environment.
Experiments could also be exposed to the low temperatures and un-filtered solar radiation. Some experiments were deployed away from the shuttle to be retrieved later in the mission or in a following mission. This section summarises the main research carried out in this area during shuttle missions.
The primary space exposure research payloads are shown below and in the following paragraphs.
| Acronym | Name | STS No. | Year |
| SPAS | Shuttle Pallet Satellite-1, 1A) | 7, 41B | 1983, 1984 |
| Spacelab | Spacelab 1, 2 | 9, 51F | 1983, 1985 |
| LDEF | Long Duration Exposure Facility | 41C, 32 | 1984, 1990 |
| OAST | Office of Application and Space Technology-1, 2, Flyer | 41D, 62, 72 |
1984, 1994, 1996 |
| EASE /ACCESS |
Experimental Assembly of Structures in Extravehicular Activity /Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structure |
61B | 1985 |
| ASTRO | ASTRO-1, 2 [STS-35, 67] (1990, 1995) | 35, 67 | 1990, 1995 |
| ATLAS | International Atmospheric Laboratory Applications, Science-1, 2, 3 | 45, 56, 66 |
1992, 1993, 1994 |
| EURECA | European Retrievable Carrier | 46, 57 | 1992, 1993 |
| TSS | Tethered Satellite System-1, 1R | 46, 75 | 1992, 1996 |
| USMP | U.S. Microgravity Payload-1, 2, 3, 4 | 52, 62, 75, 87 |
1992, 1994, 1996, 1997 |
| WSF | Wake Shield Facility-1, 2, 3 | 60, 69, 80 |
1994, 1995, 1996 |
| SFU | Space Flyer Unit | 72 | 1996 |
| IAE | SPARTAN-207-IAE | 77 | 1996 |
| DRAGONSAT | Dual Autonomous Global Positioning System On-Orbit Navigator | 127 | 2009 |
Designed to operate in the payload bay or be deployed by the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) as a free-flying satellite.
* SPAS-1 Carried 10 experiments and deployed by the RMS and later grappled and returned to the payload bay.
* SPAS-1A Carried the same 10 experiments as SPAS-1 but remained in the payload bay.
[STS-7, 41B] (1983, 1984)
(Ref: Gunter's Space Page SPAS-01
Used a pressurised Spacelab Long Module (LM) and one un-pressurised Spacelab Pallet exposed to space. A multi-disciplinary mission of more than 70 experiments in five areas of scientific research: Astronomy and Solar Physics; Space Plasma Physics; Atmospheric Physics and Earth observations; Life Sciences; and Materials Science. About half of the experiments were situated on the pallet and the others in the module.
Two experiments had components both on the pallet and in the module. Some of the experiments operated automatically, while others were operated from the ground or by the shuttle crew.
[STS-9] (1983)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab)
A passive, retrievable, 12-sided experimental cylinder the size of a bus. It was designed to provide long-term experimental data on the outer space environment and its effects on space systems, materials, operations and selected spore's survival. The LDEF carried 57 experiments all of which required free flying exposure in space, but no extensive electrical power, data handling or attitude control systems. It was deployed into a circular orbit using the shuttle's robot arm and retrieved during shuttle mission [STS-32] five years later.
[STS-41C, 32] (1984, 1990)
(Ref: Wikipedia LDEF Gunter's Space Page LDEF)
* OAST-1 Contained a solar array device which un-folded from a smaller package. It carried a number of different types of experimental solar cells and was extended to its full height several times during the mission. It demonstrated the feasibility of large lightweight solar arrays for use on future orbital installations, such as the International Space Station.
* OAST-2 Contained six experiments on the field of technology to obtain data to support future needs for advanced satellites, sensors, microcircuits and the international space station.
* OAST-Flyer Used the reusable free-flying SPARTAN carrier spacecraft with four experiments: Return Flux Experiment (REFLEX), Global Positioning System Attitude Determination and Control Experiment (GADACS), Solar Exposure to Laser Ordnance Device (SELODE), Spartan Packet Radio Experiment (SPRE) and the Amateur Radio Association at the University of Maryland (W3EAX). SPARTAN is operated independent of the orbiter and deployed to fly free in space before being retrieved.
[STS-41D, 62, 72] (1984, 1994, 1996)
Used a pressurised Spacelab Igloo (non-habitable), three Spacelab pallets exposed to space and a Spacelab Instrument Pointing System (IPS). Main mission objective was to verify performance of Spacelab systems and determine interface capability of orbiter, and measure environment induced by spacecraft. Experiments covered life sciences, plasma physics, astronomy, high-energy astrophysics, solar physics, atmospheric physics and technology research.
[STS-51F] (1985)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab)
EASE / ACCESS is the Experimental Assembly of Structures in Extravehicular Activity / Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structure
These are experiments in assembling large structures in space. In both experiments, crew members assembled small components to form larger structures, just as may eventually be done to build the International Space Station.
* EASE A geometric structure shaped like an inverted pyramid, composed of a few large beams and nodes.
* ACCESS A "high-rise" tower composed of many small struts and nodes. Together, they demonstrated the feasibility of assembling large pre-formed structures in space.
[STS-61B] (1985)
(Ref: Wikipedia EASE/ACCESS)
Both used a pressurised Spacelab Igloo (non-habitable), two Spacelab pallets exposed to space and a Spacelab Instrument Pointing System (IPS). The primary objectives were round-the-clock observations of the celestial sphere in ultraviolet and X-ray spectral wavelengths. The main experiments for both missions were the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT), Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter (WUPPE) and Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT).
* ASTRO-1 Also carried the Broad Band X-ray Telescope (BBXRT).
* ASTRO-2 Also carried Extended Duration Orbiter pallet (EDO).
[STS-35, 67] (1990, 1995)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab
Wikipedia Spacelab, Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope, Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment)
All used pressurised Spacelab Igloos (non-habitable) and Spacelab pallets exposed to space.
* ATLAS-1 Used two Spacelab pallets and included twelve instruments from the U.S., France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Japan. They conducted studies in atmospheric chemistry, solar radiation, space plasma physics and ultraviolet astronomy.
* ATLAS-2 Used one Spacelab pallet and included six instruments and 1 mounted on the wall of the bay in two Get Away Special canisters. Designed to collect data on the relationship between the sun's energy output and Earth's middle atmosphere and how these factors affect the ozone layer.
* ATLAS-3 Used one Spacelab pallets and Studied the energy of the sun and how it affects the Earth's climate and environment. The timing of the flight, when the Antarctic ozone hole is diminishing, allowed scientists to study possible effects of the ozone hole on mid-latitudes, the way Antarctic air recovers, and how the northern atmosphere changes as the winter season approaches.
[STS-45, 56 , 66] (1992, 1993, 1994)
(Ref: rdata space Spacelab Wikipedia Spacelab NASA ATLAS-1)
The European Space Agency's research in the fields of material and life sciences and radiobiology, all of which require a controlled microgravity environment. The selected microgravity experiments were carried out in seven facilities. The remaining payload comprises space science and technology. It was deployed and used its own thrusters to reach an operating altitude of about 310 statute miles (499 kilometers). The payload was to be retrieved on STS-57 in 1993.
[STS-46, 57] (1992, 1993)
(Ref: Wikipedia EURECA Gunter's Space Page Eureca 1)
U.S. / Italian Space Agency experiments used a satellite attached to the shuttle orbiter by a super strong cord which is reeled out to space from the shuttle's cargo bay. The tether had electrically-conducting metal strands in its core to generate electrical currents at a high voltage. This is done by converting mechanical energy of the shuttle's orbital motion into electrical energy by passing a conductor through the Earth's magnetic field lines. Both missions used un-pressurised Spacelab pallets.
[STS-46, 75] (1992, 1996)
(Ref: Wikipedia Space Tether Gunter's Space Page TSS 1, 1R Encyclopedia Astronautica TSS)
All used two Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structures (MPESS) designed for microgravity experiments that do not require the "hands-on" environment of the Spacelab and are accomplished in the shuttle payload bay. USMP-2, 3 and 4 also used an Extended Duration Orbiter pallet (EDO).
* USMP-1 Carried the Lambda-Point Experiment (LPE), the Materials for the Study of Interesting Phenomena of Solidification on Earth and in Orbit (MEPHISTO) and the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS).
* USMP-2 Carried experiments included the Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF), the Critical Fluid Light Scattering Experiment (ZENO), the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) and the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE).
* USMP-3 Carried experiments included the Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF), the Critical Fluid Light Scattering Experiment (ZENO), the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE) and Materials for the Study of Interesting Phenomena of Solidification on Earth and in Orbit (MEPHISTO).
* USMP-4 Carried experiments included the Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF), Confined Helium Experiment (CHeX), Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), Materials for the Study of Interesting Phenomena of Solidification on Earth and in Orbit (MEPHISTO), Microgravity Glovebox Facility (MGBX), featuring several experiments: the Enclosed Laminar Flames (ELF), Wetting Characteristics of Immiscibles (WCI) and Particle Engulfment and Pushing by a Solid/Liquid Interface (PEP), Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS), and Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE).
[STS-52, 62, 75, 87] (1992, 1994, 1996, 1997)
A large stainless steel disk designed to generate an "ultravacuum" environment in space within which to grow thin semiconductor films for next-generation advanced electronics. WSF missions included the characterization of the "ultra-vacuum" environment generated by the WSF in low Earth orbit (LEO) space, the flow field around the WSF, and growth of a thin film of the compound Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) called Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE).
[STS-60, 69, 80] (1994, 1995, 1996)
(Ref: Wikipedia Wake Shield Facility Gunter's Space Page WSF 1,2,3)
Japanese microgravity research spacecraft which was launched by Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA) from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on 18 March 1995 aboard a Japanese H-II rocket (HII-3). It spent ten months in orbit conducting automated research in materials science, biology, engineering, and astronomy. It was captured by the shuttle's robot arm and stored in the payload bay for return to Earth.
[STS-72] (1996)
(Ref: Wikipedia Space Flyer Unit Gunter's Space Page SFU 1)
The Goddard Space Flight Center's (GSFC) experiment was used to deploy and test the Inflatable Antenna Experiment (IAE) which laid the groundwork for future technology development in inflatable space structures. It tested the performance of a large inflatable antenna during a ninety-minute mission. The antenna structure was then jettisoned and the SPARTAN-207 spacecraft recovered at mission end.
[STS-77] (1996)
(Ref: NASA Inflatable Antenna Experiment (PDF) Gunter's Space Page Spartan 207 IAE)
DRAGONSAT is the Dual Autonomous Global Positioning System On-Orbit Navigator Satellite
It gathers data on autonomous spacecraft rendezvous and docking capabilities. It consists of two picosatellites, PARADIGM (BEVO-1) and AggieSat2, which acquire GPS data from a device at NASA and send it to ground stations. After release, the two picosatellites remained attached for two orbits to collect GPS data, and separated during the third orbit.
[STS-127] (2009)
(Ref: Gunter's Space Page Bevo 1 (DRAGONSAT 1), AggieSat 2 (DRAGONSAT 2) Wikipedia Picosatellites)