Payloads and experiments STS-26

tdrs-3 after deployment.

tdrs-c, became tdrs-3 in orbit, , attached inertial upper stage (ius), deployed discovery s cargo bay 6 hours , 13 minutes flight. first stage of ius placed tdrs-3 in transfer orbit, , second stage placed in geosynchronous orbit on 30 september. tdrs-3 moved position on pacific ocean south of hawaii @ 171 degrees west longitude. joined tdrs-1 in tracking earth-orbiting spacecraft; sister satellite, tdrs-b, lost in challenger accident. in payload bay orbiter experiments autonomous supporting instrumentation system (oasis). oasis recorded environmental data on orbiter , tdrs payload during various inflight phases.

all mission s mid-deck experiments deemed have been performed successfully. however, there glitches 2 of 5 materials science experiments. in protein crystal growth experiment, 2 of 11 proteins processed – including enzyme believed key replication of aids – did not produce crystals suitable analysis. also, there equipment problems automated directional solidification furnace, experiment investigate melting , solidification of various materials in zero-gravity.

the materials processing experiments included 2 shuttle student involvement projects, 1 on titanium grain formation , other on controlling crystal growth membrane. materials science experiment, physical vapor transport of organic solids, joint project of nasa s office of commercial programs , 3m company.

three life sciences experiments conducted, including 1 on aggregration of red blood cells, intended determine if microgravity can play beneficial role in clinical research , medical diagnostic tests. 2 further experiments involved atmospheric sciences, while 1 in communications research.