STS-75 Mission Control Status Report #8

9:30 p.m. CST Sunday, February 25, 1996

  The tether on the Italian Tethered Satellite broke about 7:30 p.m. CST
Sunday as the satellite was nearing the full extent of its deployment
from the Shuttle.  The satellite, which was nearing the end of its
planned 12.8 mile distance, immediately began accelerating away from
Columbia at a rapid rate as a result of normal orbital forces.  TSS is
separating from Columbia at a rate of 420 miles each 90 minute orbit.

  The tether apparently snapped near the top of the 39-foot TSS boom
in Columbia's cargo bay.  Neither the astronauts nor the Space
Shuttle were ever in any danger.

  Following the break, Mission Control asked the astronauts to record
television of the boom and broken tether for post-flight analysis.

  Flight controllers now will be determining when and how to secure
the TSS support equipment, including the deployment boom, before
moving on with other mission objectives.  Scientists and engineers
managed to gather about five hours of data on the performance of the
satellite and tether dynamics before the break.