Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site allegra.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!floyd!harpo!ulysses!allegra!karn
From: karn@allegra.UUCP (Phil Karn)
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: Solar Max troubles - (nf)
Message-ID: <2399@allegra.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Apr-84 19:13:23 EST
Article-I.D.: allegra.2399
Posted: Wed Apr 11 19:13:23 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Apr-84 01:39:59 EST
References: <1191@sdccs7.UUCP>, <2701@alice.UUCP> <93@brl-vgr.ARPA>
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Inc
Lines: 22

As I understood it from the later news reports, Nelson's MMU did indeed
require refilling, but it was far from empty - just at the point
where the rules required a return.  However, the crew tried a grab
with the RMS arm later even with the nutation that had been introduced
earlier and it was this attempt that ran the forward RCS propellant below
the level at which further use of the MMU could be allowed. It was
flatly stated then that the MMU would not be used again on this flight.

However, this morning after the repair operation had been completed, they
did indeed try out the MMUs again untethered! I guess the rules can
be bent a little.

It had occurred to me too at the time Nelson attempted to grab the solar
array that this was an ill-advised thing to try. The possibility of
introducing nutation didn't occur to me right away, I was more concerned
about damage to the array arm. I also noticed later on, before we
heard stories about the ground's concern, that the solar panels no
longer seemed to be tracking the sun. I suspect that there will be
some pointed questions asked of the crew after this mission, at least
in private.

Phil