Space

DATE=07/09/01

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=SHUTTLE-SPACE STATION OVERVIEW

NUMBER=5-49758

BYLINE=DAVID McALARY

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

/// EDS: THE LAUNCH IS SCHEDULED FOR THURS., 12 JULY, AT 5:04 A.M. EDT. AND DOCK WITH THE SPACE STATION FRI AT 10:51 P.M. EDT. THIS SCRIPT WILL HOLD UP UNTIL DOCKING. ///

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The U-S space shuttle Atlantis is poised to take off [has taken off] from Florida with a new entryway for the International Space Station. The mission is one month late because of technical problems with the station's new robot arm. As we hear from V-O-A science correspondent David McAlary, the arm, now fixed, will perform its first assembly task by mounting the entryway on the outpost.

TEXT: Until now, space station construction has relied on the presence of space shuttles with their robot arms and depressurization chambers through which spacewalkers pass. But shuttle flight director Paul Hill says the outpost will demonstrate its independence during the Atlantis visit when it receives its own spacewalk passageway and uses its new robot arm to install it.

/// HILL ACT ///

We expect to establish the station's capability to maintain and build itself over the long haul.

/// END ACT ///

The 164 million-dollar passageway is a five-and-a-half by four-meter locker room where crewmembers will don and remove spacesuits and exit into and return from space. The man overseeing its launch on the shuttle -- Hubert Brasseaux [bra-SO, with "a" as in "hat"] says the two-chamber foyer will prevent precious air from escaping the station and will depressurize when astronauts enter the space void.

/// BRASSEAUX ACT ///

The airlock provides a safe, controlled method of equalizing pressure when going from the atmosphere of the station to the vacuum of space and repressurization after the spacewalk.

/// END ACT ///

Three spacewalks are necessary for two astronauts to help the station's new crane mount the airlock and its external oxygen and nitrogen pressurizing tanks. U-S space station official Bob Cabana says that, if all goes well, the third spacewalk will take place from the new station entranceway.

/// CABANA ACT ///

The airlock completes phase two of assembly of the international space station. This was a needed step because we have a fully functional space station up there right now. We have everything we need to do science in space, to do our spacewalks when required. It's an awesome vehicle.

/// END ACT ///

Still in question, however, is whether the station's scientific potential can ever be fully met. A U-S laboratory is there and more from other nations are to come. But full-time research depends on six or seven crewmembers, not just the three it currently has, and the eventual accommodation for so many is uncertain. A four billion dollar station budget overrun has forced the U-S space agency NASA to cancel plans to build a crew residence module and emergency escape vehicle to hold seven people. NASA's project manager Tommy Holloway says the agency is negotiating barter deals with some of its 15 European and Japanese station partners for them to supply the equipment.

/// HOLLOWAY ACT 1 ///

To build this magnificent facility and have full participation by all the members of the partnership requires more than three people. The program at this point is committed to doing all they can to make that happen.

/// END ACT ///

But Mr. Holloway says the outcome of the talks remains uncertain. He foresees long negotiations ahead with the other spacefaring nations before the station's future is clear.

/// HOLLOWAY ACT 2 ///

Remember, they have their own budget constraints and technical limitations and political situations to deal with, in some cases which are just as significant and difficult as ours. All partners have unanimously told me that they will do all they can to help.

/// END ACT ///

In the meantime, NASA officials say the troubles that plagued the station's robot arm are fixed. Shortly after the Canadian-built crane's installation in May, tests revealed problems in the computer program that controls the unit's joints. The difficulties caused a one-month delay for this airlock installation mission and the next shuttle visit to replace the station's Russian-U-S crew. But Canadian engineers have corrected the software difficulty so the arm can mount the chamber. U-S flight controllers say if other problems arise, spacewalking astronauts could still maneuver the arm's joints with power tools. (SIGNED)

NEB/DEM/MAR