NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1994-073B
The Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS) was a joint scientific program between NASA and the DARA, the German Space Agency. The SPAS was developed by Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm (MBB) in Germany, and was employed as a reusable carrier for short-duration missions. The Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes (CRISTA)-SPAS was co-manifested with the third flight of the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS 3) on the Space Shuttle. CRISTA-SPAS was deployed from the Shuttle cargo bay using the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) and executed a series of pre-programmed mission objectives. The carrier was powered by batteries and data were stored on tape. The CRISTA-SPAS was retrieved by the RMS at the end of the mission and returned to Earth. The CRISTA-SPAS consisted of two instruments: (1) the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes (CRISTA) from Germany for observing the atmospheric limb; and (2) the Middle Atmospheric High Resolution Spectrograph Investigation (MAHRSI) from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory for dayglow studies. Both CRISTA and MAHRSI were integrated into the ATLAS 3 Science Plan.
Launch Date: 1994-11-04
Launch Vehicle: Shuttle
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States
Mass: 3260 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Prof. Dirk Offermann | Project Scientist | Universitat-Gesanthochschule Wuppertal | offerm@wpos2.physik.uni-wuppertal.de |
Dr. Dixon M. Butler | Program Scientist | NASA Headquarters | |
Dr. Earl J. Montoya | Program Manager | NASA Headquarters |