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Mcbrayer, R. O.

Publications and source records attributed to Mcbrayer, R. O..

4 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Launch processing for Spacelab 1

The final integration of Spacelab payloads with the Shuttle is described. Attention is given to launch processing planning, schedules, quality control, and problem reports and configuration maintenance. Also covered are the integration and checkout of individual and combined experiments, mounting the end cones, attachment of the transfer tunnel, and inclusion of an extra experiments pallet. The entire Spacelab module was subjected to a full systems simulation before deliverance to the Orbiter bay. Modular parts that were transferred from building-to-building were placed in sealed containers filled with a purged atmosphere during transport.

Mcbrayer, R. O.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Concept Verification Test - Evaluation of Spacelab/Payload operation concepts

The Concept Verification Test (CVT) procedure is used to study Spacelab operational concepts by conducting mission simulations in a General Purpose Laboratory (GPL) which represents a possible design of Spacelab. In conjunction with the laboratory a Mission Development Simulator, a Data Management System Simulator, a Spacelab Simulator, and Shuttle Interface Simulator have been designed. (The Spacelab Simulator is more functionally and physically representative of the Spacelab than the GPL.) Four simulations of Spacelab mission experimentation were performed, two involving several scientific disciplines, one involving life sciences, and the last involving material sciences. The purpose of the CVT project is to support the pre-design and development of payload carriers and payloads, and to coordinate hardware, software, and operational concepts of different developers and users.

Mcbrayer, R. O.↗
NASA NTRS1973

CVT/PCS phase 1 integrated testing

Five breadboard experiments representing three Sortie Lab experiment disciplines were installed in a payload carrier simulator. A description of the experiments and the payload carrier simulator was provided. An assessment of the experiment interface with the simulator and an assessment of the simulator experiment support systems were presented. The results indicate that a hardware integrator for each experiment is essential; a crew chief, or mission specialist, for systems management and experimenter liaison is a vital function; a payload specialist is a practical concept for experiment integration and operation; an integration fixture for a complex experiment is required to efficiently integrate the experiment and carrier; simultaneous experiment utilization of simulator systems caused unexpected problems in meeting individual experiment requirements; experimenter traffic inside the dual-floor simulator did not hamper experiment operations; and the requirement for zero-g operation will provide a significant design challenge for some experiments.

Mcbrayer, R. O.↗