Teleprinter

The teleprinter is an interim system designed to transmit written data to the flight crew in orbit until dual TDRSS capability is achieved. It is a modified teletype machine located in a locker in the crew compartment middeck. Electrical power is connected to the dc utility power outlet on panel A15, and audio is connected to the PS comm outlet on panel A15. During launch, the PS comm outlet is used for crew communications; therefore, the audio cable for the teleprinter must be connected on orbit, and the ATU at panel L9 must be reconfigured on orbit. The panel L9 payload station power switch is positioned to aud, A/G 1 is positioned to off , A/G 2 is positioned to t/r , the thumbwheel is positioned to 9, A/A is positioned to off , the two icom switches are positioned to off , and the xmit/icom mode rotary switch is positioned to PTT/PTT. The power switch on the teleprinter locker door is in the on position at launch. Turning the dc utility power switch on panel A15 to on powers up the teleprinter and illuminates a green light on the locker door.

The teleprinter provides the capability to receive and reproduce text-only data, such as procedures, weather reports and crew activity plan updates or changes, aboard the orbiter from the Mission Control Center.

The teleprinter uplink requires one to 2.5 minutes per message, depending on the number of lines (up to 66). When the ground has sent a message, a msg rcv yellow light on the teleprinter is illuminated to indicate a message is waiting to be removed. The teleprinter is deactivated before seat ingress on entry day.