The International Space Station launched Endeavour STS-134mission on the 29th of April at around 3.45 pm. The space shuttle would return to the earth in 14 days after accomplishing its mission of measuring cosmic rays and searching for strange matter and antimatter in space.
The researchers at NASA’s Langely Center have made active contribution in designing the docking technology that would be part of the last mission of the Endeavour. The Endeavour houses an Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2, a particle physics detector, which would help the researchers acquire space related data that would contribute to studies about the formation of the Universe. Additionally, Endeavour would launch a unit that would contain spare parts to take forward the operations after the space shuttle has retired from service.
The test run of Sensor Test for Orion Relative Navigation Risk Mitigation or STORRM is planned to be executed towards the end of the mission. Its object is to authenticate the new sensor and laser technology that will cause docking and undocking to the International Space Station (ISS) simpler and secure for astronauts. The STORRM consists of a Vision Navigation Sensor and a high resolution camera to assist in docking operations. The VNS tracks the target using a laser remote sensing system that is safe for the eyes and the camera provides live three-dimensional images. Langely has contributed by designing the data storage system capable of storing one tera byte of data and can withstand radiation. The team would also take part in the damage assessment and impact dynamic tests.
The Hypersonic Thermodynamic Infrared Measurements team from Langely is responsible for keeping a tab on the heat in the shuttle while it enters the earth on the return path. The team is working on a Navy NP-3D Orion aircraft, which flies under the shuttle and the heat during re-entry would be detected using an infrared optical sensor system called “Cast Glance”. The Team would be monitoring the re-entry with the help of the shuttle data entry system and give instructions to the P-3 flight crew for making adjustments to the camera systems and the position of the aircraft to get the best view.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov