The Get Away Special Program

The paper deals with the Get Away Special (GAS) Program which was initiated on the realization that not every Space Shuttle mission would make full use of the volume and weight capability of the Shuttle system. Currently, the GAS Program incorporates 158 domestic and foreign users who have reserved 270 spaces. Not all users and not all experiments are expected to meet the objective of processing to prime experiments for Shuttle. Each experiment will be worthy in its own right and each user will benefit to the limit of his ability and involvement. The structure and the mounting system of the GAS container are described, along with its pressure, thermal, and electronic characteristics. Safety philosophy and requirements are noted, and possible options to the standard contained are discussed.