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 Launch Aborts manual covers the major phases of ascent aborts: contingency aborts caused by the loss of more than one SSME in a region where intact abort capability is not present; Return to Launch Site (RTLS) aborts back to the launch site; Abort to Orbit (ATO), Abort once Around (AOA), and Trans-Atlantic Abort (TAL).
