NASA Photo ID: STS008-29-2592     File Name: 10061321.gif 
 
Film Type: 35mm CN                Date Taken: 09/05/83 
 
Title: ISAL experiment documentation of vertical tail and OMS pods 
 
Description: 
 
Investigation of Space Transportation System (STS) Atmospheric Luminosities 
(ISAL) experiment documentation includes vertical tail and orbital 
maneuvering system (OMS) pods with surface glow against the blackness of 
space.  This glowing scene was provided by a long duration exposure with a  
35mm camera aimed toward the tail of the Earth-orbiting Challenger, Orbiter  
Vehicle (OV) 099.  OV-099 was maneuvered to a 120-nautical-mile altitude 
and  flown with open payload bay (PLB) in the velocity vector for the 
conducting  of a test titled, "Evaluation of Oxygen Interaction with 
Materials (EOIM)".   Atomic oxygen within the low orbital environment is 
known to be extremely  reactive when in contact with solid surfaces.  In 
the darkened area between  the camera and the glowing OMS pods and vertical 
stabilizer are two trays of  test materials.