The GAS Cap and Hitchhiker G would provide a launch capability on a par with that of the Ariane ASAP in terms of cost and mass. However, the Hitchhiker G provides far greater flexibility in the demonstrator configuration and. in particular, the availability of a high power supply. The Hitchhiker-M is essentially the same as the USS to be used on Spacelab E-l. However, even though it is much higher priced than Hitchhiker G, its greater payload capability enables shared launches. The Hitchhiker-M was used for the first time in January 1986 to support 12 GAS Cans. As mentioned earlier, the Spacelab E-l mission also provides a suitable opportunity for a GAS-type experiment to be flown using the Hitchhiker-G or GAS CAP. Such an opportunity is possible because the forward section of the payload bay is unused, except for the tunnel that links Spacelab with the Shuttle mid-deck, as shown in Figure 3.3-4. Thus, volume will be availably to mount the Hitchhiker-G. although whether payload mass will be available is yet to be determined. During the US Spacelab 3 mission in April 1985 two GAS Cans containing small satellites were positioned in the forward payload bay. Only one satellite was successfully deployed, however. The satellite that failed to deploy was successfully released during the Spacelab D-l mission in October 1985. The Spacelab E-l launch option for a Hitchhiker-G or GAS CAP is
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