HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT
FISCAL YEAR 1996 ESTIMATES
BUDGET SUMMARY
OFFICE OF SPACE FLIGHT U.S./RUSSIAN COOPERATIVE PROGRAM
SUMMARY OF RESOURCES REQUIREMENTS
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Russian space agency contract support 100,000 100,000 100,000
Mir support 70,800 50,100 29,200
Total 170,800 150,100 129,200
Distribution of Program Amount by Installation
Johnson Space Center 62,000 40,500 28,300
Space Station Program Office 100,000 100,000 100,000
Kennedy Space Center 2,000 4,300 300
Marshall Space Flight Center 6,800 5,300 600
Total 170,800 150,100 129,200
PROGRAM GOALS
The United States and the Russian federation have begun a joint cooperative space program to accomplish six major goals. First,
the program will permit us to develop, maintain, and enhance capabilities and operations to allow humans to live and work
continuously in space. Second, by establishing a relationship with Russia as an international partner for the human exploration
and exploitation of space, the United States can reduce the cost of future U.S. space initiatives by applying Russian-developed
technology. Third, by flying Space Shuttle missions to the Russian Mir, the United States can enhance its understanding of long-
duration operations, along with life sciences and microgravity research benefits from long-duration experimentation. Fourth, early
cooperation with the Russians will permit us to develop common systems and operating procedures which will increase the
probability of success and mitigate risks in the design, assembly, and operation of the international Space Station in which they are
a full partner. Fifth, by engaging Russia in constructive space work, the United States can advance its foreign policy initiatives.
Finally, this relationship between the U.S. and Russian space agencies will advance U.S. national space programs as well as U.S.
aerospace industry.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The two major activities comprising the U.S./Russian cooperative program include conducting joint space activities with Russia with
the Mir space station and the contract with the Russian Space Agency (RSA) which will provide services and hardware for Phase I
and Phase II of the Space Station program.
Parts of Phase I and Phase II are conducted in parallel. Phase I expands the joint participation by U.S. and Russian crews in Mir
and Space Shuttle operations. This expanded program uses the unique capabilities of the Space Shuttle and the Mir and provides
the potential for up to ten flights to Mir, including U.S. crew stays aboard Mir. Current NASA planning manifests seven Space
Shuttle flights to Mir. This program will provide valuable experience and test data that will greatly reduce technical risks associated
with the construction and operation of the international Space Station and provide early opportunities for extended scientific and
research activities. Mir capabilities will be enhanced by contributions from both countries. The Space Shuttle will bring new solar
arrays, which will be built by the Russians, using solar cells provided by the U.S. which will replace existing arrays on Mir. Russia
will add Spektr and Priroda modules to Mir, equipped with U.S. and Russian scientific hardware to support science and research
experiments.
Phase II combines U.S. and Russian hardware to create an advanced orbital research facility with early human-tended capability.
This facility will expand significantly the scientific and research activities initiated in Phase I, and will form the core of the
international Space Station. Phase II also develops the systems capabilities, support, and other infrastructure to complete the
international Space Station.
Russian Space Agency Contract Support
Under a fixed-price contractual arrangement with NASA, the RSA will furnish supplies and/or services to enhance Mir operational
capabilities, perform joint space flights, and conduct joint activities to design, develop, operate, and use the Space Station.
During Phase I, which encompasses those activities related to the Space Shuttle flights to Mir, the RSA will provide management,
Mir lifetime extension, Mir capabilities expansion, docking hardware and mission support for both long-duration and short-term
missions. Management activities include project documentation, and program and subcontract management. Mir lifetime extension
includes system requirements planning, communication and control systems analyses and upgrades, ground control facilities,
thermal control documentation and requirements definition, environmentally-closed life support system (ECLSS) upgrades, power
supply system upgrades, propulsion systems documentation and initial design and test, and elements of construction and
mechanisms. To expand Mir capabilities, Spektr and Priroda modules will be attached to the Mir for scientific use by Russia and
the U.S.
Phase II combines U.S. and Russian hardware creating an advanced orbital research facility which enables early permanent human
presence. This facility forms the core of the international Space Station. During this phase, the RSA will provide management,
advanced technology, international Space Station elements, and an evaluation of using the Proton launch vehicle with a transfer
vehicle such as the Russian-built Space Tug as a back-up to Space Shuttle. Advanced technology includes joint development of
ECLSS upgrades and a study to develop a common space suit. International Space Station elements include requirements
definition of a joint airlock and androgynous peripheral docking system (APDS) hardware, service module modifications, FGB energy
block modifications, and a study on a scientific power platform.
Mir Support
Successful execution of Space Shuttle flights to the Russian Mir space station will pave the way for Russian participation in the
U.S.-led international Space Station. From mid-FY 1995 through late FY 1997, NASA will fly seven missions to the Mir with the
potential of up to three additional flights. The primary objectives of these flights are to rendezvous and dock with the Mir, perform
on-orbit joint U.S./Russian life sciences and microgravity investigations, resupply Mir logistics, and provide crew exchange. The
first of these flights will employ a Spacelab long module to support experiment transport and operation, as well as the transport of
Mir hardware. Four other flights will require pressurized habitable modules to transport Russian logistics items, NASA and Russian
science and technology payloads, and international Space Station risk mitigation payloads to Mir. These modules will be supplied
by Spacehab, Inc.
By its very nature, the U.S./Russian Cooperative program relies on support from the Russian government and Russian industry to
be successful. The Russian government is making a substantial effort in the success of this mission by providing access to their
Mir Space Station, providing training for our astronauts, and working with NASA to develop joint operational procedures. By
contributing their expertise in long-duration missions gained through many years of Mir operations, and assisting NASA in the
development and test of procedures used to rendezvous and dock with the Mir, they are strengthening NASA's ability to assemble
safely and efficiently, operate and use the Space Station. Under the aegis of the contract with NASA, the RSA will loan several items
for use during Phase I. These items include two Russian solar panels, a solar panel frame prototype, solar array ground support
equipment (GSE), docking mechanism GSE and short-term mission crew training mockups. During Phase II, the RSA will loan two
space suit servicing and support equipment sets.
Major contractors involved in the U.S./Russian Cooperative program include the RSA, the RSC-Energia, Krunichev, the Gagarin
Cosmonaut Training Center, Rockwell International, and Spacehab, Inc.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
For this cooperative program, the level of performance will be measured by clearly defined, discrete results including successful
docking and undocking of the Space Shuttle and Mir, successful joint operations between the Space Shuttle and Mir, exchange of
crew, and delivery of both pressurized and unpressurized cargo. The success of the extensive science program will be measured by
accomplishing many detailed test objectives, and the post-mission analysis of the science data. However, the most important and
meaningful indicator of success will be completing a joint mission with our Russian partners, demonstrating our ability to work
together in space safely and effectively, and laying the foundation for the unprecedented scope of our joint endeavor in building and
operating the international Space Station.
The following events represent significant milestones in the successful completion of the U.S.- Russian Cooperative program:
Russian Space Agency Contract Support:
Delivery of hardware for U.S. Design, fabrication, and test of hardware for Spektr launch of U.S. experiments
experiments on Spektr -
1st Qtr FY 1995
Delivery of docking mechanism Docking mechanism to support flights to Mir
3rd Qtr FY 1995
Delivery of hardware for U.S. Design, fabrication, test and installation of hardware for Priroda launch with U.S. experiments
experiments on Priroda -
4th Qtr FY 1995
Launch of U.S. experiments Priroda launch will carry additional U.S. science and equipment
on Priroda - 4th Qtr FY 1995
Delivery of airlock depress/ Delivery of flight article
repress pump assembly -
3rd Qtr FY 1996
Delivery of passive docking Delivery of three passive docking mechanisms, associated avionics, control panels and
mechanisms - documentation to support Phase II Space Shuttle flights to the international Space Station
3rd and 4th Qtrs FY 1996
Delivery of docking mechanisms Delivery of four docking mechanisms for Space Shuttle flights to Space Station with three sets
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Qtr FY 1997 of associated avionics
and 1st Qtr FY 1998
Mir Support:
Progress launch to Mir - Progress launch to Mir will carry U.S. science experiments
2nd Qtr FY 1995
Astronaut launch on Soyuz - American astronaut will be launched on Soyuz to perform science investigations
2nd Qtr FY 1995
Spektr module launch to Mir - Spektr launch will carry additional U.S. science experiments and equipment
3rd Qtr FY 1995
Space Shuttle docking to Mir - STS-71 rendezvous and first docking flight to Mir with crew exchange
3rd Qtr FY 1995
Complete Spacehab primary Spacehab, Inc. will complete manufacture of the primary structure for use on STS-76 and
structure - 4th Qtr FY 1995 STS-79
Docking module delivery to Mir -STS-74 will deliver a new docking module to Mir allowing the Space Shuttle to dock to a more
1st Qtr FY 1996 favorable port
Joint EVA spacewalk on Mir - Perform a joint U.S./Russian spacewalk to validate and demonstrate assembly techniques
4th Qtr FY 1996 for the international Space Station
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
Russian Space Agency Contract Support
NASA and the RSA definitized their contract in June 1994. During FY 1994, the RSA achieved 47 milestones. These deliverables
included the solar dynamics data package, the FGB energy block procurement plan and long-lead procurement plan, flight array
fabrication (stage 1), and stage 1 tooling for the manufacturing of the docking module. Deliverables anticipated in FY 1995 include
the FGB energy block structural mockup, photovoltaic arrays with associated frames, cabling, and deploy/attach mechanisms, the
docking module flight unit, the docking module electrical mockup, the docking module weightless environment training facility
(WETF) mockup, the docking module experimental test unit, and the docking mechanism for Space Shuttle flights to Mir. In
FY 1996, the RSA or its subcontractors will deliver the solar dynamics qualification carrier and instrument module, the solar
dynamics module qualification unit, and the solar dynamics verification GSE including training hardware. In addition, NASA will
receive three passive docking mechanisms.
Mir Support
In preparation for STS-71 in May 1995, in which the Space Shuttle Atlantis (OV-104) will dock with the Mir, qualification testing for
the external airlock was conducted in May 1994. The external airlock developed by Rockwell will provide the passage needed for the
astronauts to enter the Mir; it also provides the attachment point for the docking mechanism. Also in preparation for docking with
Mir, Rockwell took delivery of the Russian Flight Article Docking Mechanism in September 1994. The docking mechanism was
integrated to the docking base and structure, tested, and accepted by NASA early in FY 1995. Other FY 1994 accomplishments
included the first flight of a Russian cosmonaut on the Space Shuttle and the first delivery of American science payloads to Mir.
In February 1995, the crew of STS-63 will perform a rendezvous with and fly-around of the Mir. This flight will set the stage for
STS-71 which will be the first of seven docking flights scheduled over the next three years. The STS-63 will also prepare for the
flight of two cosmonauts on STS-71 by including one cosmonaut in its crew.
In March 1995, an American astronaut will be launched in a Russian Soyuz capsule to spend ninety days aboard the Mir. At the
end of the ninety days, the STS-71 mission will dock to the Mir, deliver new crew members to the Mir, and bring back the American
astronaut who was launched in the Russian Soyuz capsule. Docking with the Mir on STS-71 will require use of a special Orbiter
Docking System which incorporates the docking mechanism which was developed by Russia for this flight. The design and
fabrication of the docking mechanism has been thoroughly analyzed to ensure that its usage on a Space Shuttle mission will not
endanger the crew or vehicle. During the docked phase of the flight, a number of joint scientific experiments will be performed
using Mir and Space Shuttle-Spacelab equipment.
For STS-71, the primary objectives are to rendezvous and dock with the Mir, perform on-orbit, joint U.S./Russian life sciences and
microgravity investigations, logistical re-supply of the Mir, return of the U.S. astronaut flying on the Mir, and the replacement of the
Mir crew with two new cosmonauts. The life science and logistical resupply objectives will be met through the use of a Spacelab
long module. Major experiments include the Baroreflex Experiment, the Lower Body Negative Pressure Experiment, the Graded
Exercise Equipment, and the Protein Crystal Growth Experiment. Physiological, metabolic, and environmental data will also be
collected. Transfer of Mir logistical hardware from the Spacelab to the Mir will also provide experience which will be very valuable in
the transfer of U.S. experiment hardware to and from Mir on subsequent flights, and in using the international Space Station. Use
of a Spacelab module on this important mission, and Spacelab pallets on subsequent missions to support the delivery of
unpressurized cargo, provides a high probability of success since this hardware has been flight-proven many times over. Integration
of the hardware required for this mission into the Spacelab, and then into the orbiter, is being accomplished according to well-
proven procedures and equipment.
For the four missions which require pressurized habitable modules, NASA will be using modules provided by Spacehab, Inc. NASA
is currently leasing two of Spacehab's pressurized modules under the Commercial Middeck Augmentation Module contract, which
also provides integration and operation services. Spacehab, Inc. is the only commercial source with flight-certified modules capable
of providing the required hardware and related services within the time required to support the NASA-Mir program. NASA intends
to contract with Spacehab, Inc. for lease, integration and operations of modules for delivery of logistics and other equipment to Mir.
To meet the STS-76 launch date which is a single module mission, payload integration activities began in November 1994. Design
modifications to develop a double module capability to support STS-79 also began in November 1994. On November 17, 1994, a
letter contract was signed with Spacehab, Inc. to initiate these activities. NASA anticipates receiving a proposal from Spacehab, Inc.
in January 1995 with a formal contract being awarded by mid-March 1995.
In October 1995, the STS-74 mission will deliver a new docking module to Mir to allow Space Shuttles to dock in a more favorable
position on the Mir. Two Space Shuttle missions will be flown to Mir in FY 1996. On the last FY 1996 Space Shuttle-Mir mission,
U.S. astronauts and Russian cosmonauts will perform a joint spacewalk to validate and demonstrate assembly techniques for the
international Space Station.
FY 1996 funding for Spacehab will provide for initiation of integration support for the manifested logistics and equipment for
delivery to Mir. Three more Space Shuttle-Mir missions will be performed in FY 1997. An option is being maintained to fly up to
three additional Space Shuttle-Mir missions should they become necessary.
HSF-2