Space science on the Space Shuttle - Plans and prospects

An overview is given of current planning for use of the Space Shuttle and Spacelab for carrying out NASA's program in Space Science. Major categories of use will be: (1) As a launch and service vehicle; (2) As an experiment platform for carrying out passive observations; (3) As a component in active and controlled experiments in space; (4) As a manned orbiting laboratory for carrying out investigations requiring hands-on access to equipment and samples. Examples of each type of use are given. Some of the multi-user facility instruments which are planned for early development (Solar Optical Telescope, Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility, Chemical Release Module, Life Sciences Laboratory Equipment) are described. Payloads to be carried on the early missions (Orbital Flight Test, Spacelab 1 and Spacelab 2) are discussed with particular emphasis orr the unique capabilities of Shuttle/Spacelab to be demonstrated by these missions.