|
|
|
|
About
Hitchhiker
The current
Hitchhiker carrier mission is Mach-1. Mach-1 launched December 5,
2001, on STS-108. Mach-1 Information.
|
|
 |
|
Hitchhiker
cross-bay bridge configuration on orbit.
|
The Hitchhiker carrier
system has provisions for flying payloads along the sidewall of the Space
Shuttle payload bay, i.e. the longeron, and on cross-bay carriers/platforms.
Hitchhiker payloads fly in mounted canisters attached to mounting plates
of various sizes. The carrier system provides electrical power (28vdc),
command signals, and "downlink" data interfaces. Hitchhiker customers
operate their payloads from the Hitchhiker Control Center at Goddard Space
Flight Center using their own ground support equipment (usually a PC) to
send commands and display data. User's ground support equipment work in
tandem with Hitchhiker's ground system, ACCESS (Advanced Carrier Customer
Equipment Support System), for communication with their payloads. Control
and monitoring of payloads from remote sites has also been demonstrated
and is in use.
Information
on ACCESS
International Space
Station Hitchhiker Program
International
Space Station (ISS) Hitchhiker is a new system now under study to provide
payload services similar to Space Shuttle Hitchhiker ISS. Information
on ISS Hitchhiker Program
Hitchhiker Ejection
Services
Information
on Hitchhiker Ejection Services
|
