STS-3
May 4-5, 2000

On May 5, 2000 at 12:32 PM the Star Sailor 1 touched down for the third time in its history, completing a  27-hour mission and 18 orbits of the Earth.  The STS-3 Space Team lived up to the high expectations that are a trademark of the Russell Space Teams of the past.

Thanks to the diligent and tireless efforts of our Public Affairs Liaison, Mrs. Thomassie, the 2000 Russell Space Team received many kudos and accolades from the community. She also spearheaded a new look for "The Uplink," our team newspaper, which took it to new levels of interest.

 

During our training, we were thrilled to be surprised by a visit from Mr. Dan Adamo, a Flight Simulation Software Designer and NASA Flight Controller.  An attempt at a real-time email exchange with Mr. Adamo was thwarted by the effects of the LoveBug Virus.  Also during our training, Mr. Tom Urban, a former Boeing Aerospace Engineer who worked on the design of several Deep Space probes in the 1980's shared his knowledge and enthusiasm with the team during a March visit.

 

The actual mission went smoothly with a perfect deployment of a classified reconnaissance satellite know only as SAT ONE and deployed to an orbit unknown except to a handful of our engineering teams.  The experiments in force and energy were conducted on schedule and all results were accurately recorded for future analysis.

 

A few minor glitches were dealt with by the well-prepared Mission Control Team.  A pesky Fuel Cell Heat Exchange sensor kept sending out ratty data to the team who was able to work around it and continue a nominal mission.  Unlike the previous STS-2 mission, the weather was a dear friend this year and no wave-offs or aborted launches were ever considered.

 

Great food was provided by an army of parents who spent many ours collecting, cooking, and setting up.  The hungry teams enjoyed everything from chicken wings and spaghetti to rib-eye steaks and birthday cake. 

 

The Team was celebrated in a prelaunch pep rally and prelaunch press conference/homecoming that brought the entire student body together.  Both were moments that will long be remembered. 

 

Congratulations and Godspeed to all of the 2000 STS-3 Space Team.  You have placed yourselves in the RSC history books.

 

God Bless You All,

 

Chris Laster

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Godspeed and God Bless to the STS-3 Space Team as you venture on to new endeavors!

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Mission Patch

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Time in Simulator: 27 hours 20 minutes

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Honors and Recognition:

• Articles in the Marietta Daily Journal
• Recognition on FOX-Atlanta News
• Letters of recognition from Homer Hickam, US Senator Paul Coverdell, US Representative Bob Barr, Governor Roy Barnes, and State School Superintendent Linda Schrenko.
• Attendees included: Dr. Richard Benjamin, Superintendent of Cobb Schools, Captain William McIntire, Commanding Officer Naval Air Station Atlanta, Cobb County Schools Elementary School Coordinators, Representatives of Galt Middle School in Tacoma, Washington, Mr. Miles Jovius, Lockheed Aeronautical Engineer, several representatives from the local and national aerospace industry, and many administrators and teachers from area schools.