EXCLUSIVE from World Spaceflight News - LEARN ABOUT the SPACE SHUTTLE FROM THE TEXTBOOKS USED BY THE ASTRONAUTS! The official NASA astronaut training manuals comprise a major part of the formal flight crew training process, and are used by flight controllers as well. These internal NASA manuals are produced by the Mission Operations Directorate (Space Flight Training Division branch) at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The manuals and workbooks are extremely detailed and comprehensive, and are designed for self-study. Each is heavily illustrated with vivid line drawings, engineering schematics, and other charts and figures. A full listing of all acronyms and abbreviations used in the text is included. They provide a superb way to learn about Shuttle systems, hardware, and operational procedures. Special emphasis on crew interaction with the displays, controls, and hardware is included.
This report contains two manuals. The first deals with the Range Safety system, including basic concepts, techniques, procedures, and flight rules of range safety, as well as Orbiter and ground hardware and communications between the MCC and the Range Safety Officer. The second manual covers the Payload Deployment and Retrieval System (PDRS), which includes the Remote Manipulator System (RMS). It contains complete technical information on all aspects of the Canadian-built robot arm, including astronaut controls and procedures.
