This pap*r presents the flow of the operational PAM system from the time processing is started at the launch site through deployment from the Orbiters. It addresses the ground checkout activities, in-orbit operations including crew and ground personnel system evaluation and command activities, and PAM deployment from the Orbiter. Additionally, transfer orbit errors for two PAMs used on STS-5 are presented.
The PAM ground processing approach affords maximum assurance of a flight-ready PAM prior to mating the spacecraft and provides a cargo element that is fully verified as flightready before integration with the cargo integration test equipment (CITE) and the Orbiter. The PAM system design and on-board data displays give the astronauts the capability to evaluate the status of the PAM\u27s health and deploy the PAM/spacecraft without air-to-ground data or communications
