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Integration of ATMOS Instrument on the Shuttle


ATMOS flew on the ATLAS missions in the payload bay of the orbiter, exposed to space when on orbit. It was one of several other instruments mounted on the ATLAS pallet, which provided them the power, cooling, commanding, and communications links. The images here show the steps of integrating ATMOS and the ATLAS 1 pallet into the orbiter Atlantis.

Integrating Instruments on the ATLAS Pallet

Shown here are two payloads being prepared for separate shuttle missions, inside the Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). In the foreground is the ATLAS 1 Payload. ATMOS is covered with the silver blanket (a protective -or dust- cover), on the middle left side. The instruments sit on top of the pallet (the white and gold platform supported by white bars). An integration engineer sits at right, in blue. The test being performed ensures there are no conflicts between the instruments for power, commanding, and communications.

Placing the Pallet in the Payload Bay

Here, the fully integrated ATLAS payload has been placed in the shuttle bay of Atlantis while the orbiter is in landing position (horizontal), inside the Operations and Checkout Building at KSC. ATMOS is now covered with the white Multi-layer Insulation blanket to protect it from thermal (or temperature) extremes in space. In the picture, ATMOS is located to the right of the black sphere at the far side of the orbiter, and behind the instrument with the dish.

Testing the Payload in the Orbiter

Final testing of the payload and the entire orbiter system is done with the shuttle now upright inside the Payload Changeout Room on the launch pad. ATMOS is just right of the MAS antenna dish. Note the gold open payload bay door to the left.

Once all payload integration and testing is completed, the payload bay doors are closed, and the fuel tank and booster rockets are integrated with the orbiter. The entire assembly is rolled out to the launch pad in this upright position, where it is prepared for liftoff.


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