STS-41: Space Shuttle Discovery

This recording features a press briefing on the Ulysses spacecraft, highlighting its upcoming deployment from the shuttle Discovery. Key participants include John Conway, Bruce Melnick, and Thomas Akers, who discuss the mission's complexities, including the need for a unique trajectory to study the sun's poles. Notably, the launch window opens at 6:35 AM EDT on October 5th, with a critical duration of 2 hours and 22 minutes, emphasizing the mission's tight schedule and international collaboration between NASA and ESA.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

This recording captures STS-41 during the OMS2 burn at 39 minutes and 52 seconds, successfully circularizing Discovery's orbit to 160 miles. The crew addresses a transient data message regarding the flash evaporator system, which was later confirmed to be a non-issue. Notably, the payload integrator checkout was completed successfully, and the crew prepared for the Ulysses deploy sequence, which included a live downlink of Earth views. The recording also features a discussion about an unidentified object observed during the deploy.

Launch coverage for STS-41, featuring the countdown window from T-minus 3 hours to T-minus 31 seconds, where a hold occurred due to an issue with the orbiter to payload interface duct. The recording captures key ascent milestones including liftoff, solid rocket booster separation, main engine cutoff at 8 minutes 30 seconds, and external tank separation. The crew, including first-time flyer Bruce Melnick, successfully navigated the launch sequence with nominal performance throughout.

This recording features STS-41 during the crew's pre-sleep period, approximately 20 minutes before their wake-up at 7:59 AM. Notably, the crew, including Bruce Melnick and Bill Shepherd, demonstrates the voice command system for the first time, showcasing its functionality in controlling cameras. The recording also captures a discussion about the upcoming Chromex operations scheduled for 10:07 AM and the solar backscatter ultraviolet operations at 1:07 PM, along with a minor anomaly involving an APU heater.

Descriptive summary pending processing.

This recording captures the countdown for STS-41 at T minus 31 seconds, where a flow control valve issue was identified, prompting a hold in the countdown. The crew was prepared for launch at 7:35 AM, with the mission critical to deploying the Ulysses probe. Notably, a federal judge rejected a bid by anti-nuclear activists to block the flight, allowing the countdown to proceed smoothly despite previous concerns over hydrogen leaks.

This recording features a food tasting session for STS-41, approximately 20 minutes into the event. Crew members Bruce Melnick, Bill Shepherd, and others evaluate various flight food items, including new products like meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, which are being introduced for the first time. The discussion includes comparisons to previous missions' food items and the packaging methods used for preservation, highlighting the crew's preferences and experiences with the meals.