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From: jabishop@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu (Jonathan A Bishop)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Hypothetical Payload Bay Door problems
Message-ID: <1990Nov3.165738.10366@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu>
Date: 3 Nov 90 16:57:38 GMT
References: <3731@syma.sussex.ac.uk> <1990Nov3.031615.29332@zoo.toronto.edu>
Organization: Engineering Computer Network, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Lines: 28

henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes:

>In article <3731@syma.sussex.ac.uk> andy@syma.sussex.ac.uk (Andy Clews) writes:
>>Suppose, for some reason, the payload bay doors fail to close under their
>>own mechanism whilst the orbiter is in orbit.  Does a mechanism exist for
>>members of the crew to attempt to close the doors manually?

>Yes, although I believe it requires an EVA.

>>On a related note, suppose the payload bay doors cannot be _opened_ once the
>>vehicle is in orbit.  Would this pose serious problems, given that the
>>door-mounted radiators would be unable to vent excess heat into space?

>It would mean a mission abort and a prompt reentry.  There is enough time
>before serious problems occur to permit this.

Could they not also EVA at this point?  I recall seeing a piece on this during
the pre-launch coverage of STS-1.  I don't know if the information was
accurate or not, but the piece stated that, in the event that the doors did
not open, Crippen would EVA to the rear of the cargo bay (semantics
point: is it an EVA if you have to wear a space suit but you're still inside
your vehicle?), where the manual crank was located.  They showed him practicing
the procedure in the neutral buoyancy tank. 
-- 
jabishop@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu

"Ground Control to Major Tom: Your circuit's dead; there's something wrong.
Can you hear me, Major Tom?" -- David Bowie