Trade.Information

Product Name: Single System Trainers (SSTs)

Product Description

The SSTs are medium fidelity simulators with very close representations of the orbiter flight deck, used for basic orbiter systems instruction and malfunction training. They're used early in the flight training flow to help refresh knowledge of each system, and for some of the qual lessons. More complex simulations, running multisystem malfunctions simulataneously, require the SMS. The photos show the forward and aft stations of the flight deck. The forward station includes our three cathode ray tube (CRT) displays and keyboards for entering commands to the five general purpose computers (GPCs) on board the Shuttle. On the left, or Commander's side, you can see the rotational hand controller (RHC) that is used to control the Shuttle's attitude (a similar RHC exists on the Pilot's side of the Shuttle, but not present in the SST). The RHC controls the aerosurfaces (elevons, rudder) while we're in earth's atmosphere, and commands jet firings while in the vacuum of space so as to point the orbiter in the desired direction. Also plainly seen in the photograph are the ADI and the HSI, devices that display the orientation and the heading of the vehicle---very similar to those in conventional aircraft. Hundreds of switches, circuit breakers and display tapes complete the forward cockpit. Life support, computers and primary flight control are the responsibility of the Commander on the left, while the Pilot controls the main engines, RCS and OMS engines, auxillary power units and the electrical system. The Flight Engineer (MS2) sits between the Commander and Pilot, and helps coordinate working all of the malfunctions and "nominal" procedures. The Flight Engineer is also responsible for many of the overhead switches and circuit breakers, which supply power to many orbiter systems. The Flight Engineer must use a "swizzle stick" to reach them during ascent due to launch accelerations. The Commander and Pilot can't see or reach most of the overhead panels during launch due to their helmets and the "G's." The aft station is also called the "orbit station," and has interfaces to fly the orbiter while looking out the aft windows (into the payload bay) or out the overhead window. The aft station is where we control the TV system and the communications system. On the left portion of the photograph you can see a fourth CRT, as well as switches for our water system and the payload bay doors. Switches and circuit breakers for system heaters and other primary equipment are located here, but generally aren't used during ascent or entry---which is a good thing since the strapped-in crew couldn't reach them anyway! During the first hour or two after reaching orbit (a time called post-insertion) the aft flight deck is a busy place, as the payload bay doors are opened and the Spacelab module is checked for operational readiness.