Return-path: X-Andrew-Authenticated-as: 7997;andrew.cmu.edu;Ted Anderson Received: from beak.andrew.cmu.edu via trymail for +dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl@andrew.cmu.edu (->+dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl) (->ota+space.digests) ID ; Wed, 10 Oct 1990 02:22:00 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: Precedence: junk Reply-To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU From: space-request+@Andrew.CMU.EDU To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU Date: Wed, 10 Oct 1990 02:21:28 -0400 (EDT) Subject: SPACE Digest V12 #438 SPACE Digest Volume 12 : Issue 438 Today's Topics: Re: Anti-Gravity? NASA Headline News for 10/05/90 (Forwarded) Re: Private Space Investment (3 of 4) Pluto mission? Re: Motorola Cellular phone Comsats Payload Summary for 10/09/90 (Forwarded) Re: space news from Aug 20 AW&ST Re: Motorola Cellular phone Comsats and cheap space Administrivia: Submissions to the SPACE Digest/sci.space should be mailed to space+@andrew.cmu.edu. Other mail, esp. [un]subscription notices, should be sent to space-request+@andrew.cmu.edu, or, if urgent, to tm2b+@andrew.cmu.edu ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 9 Oct 90 02:13:26 GMT From: usc!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!munnari.oz.au!metro!natmlab.dap.csiro.au!hades!phil@apple.com (Phillip Abbott) Subject: Re: Anti-Gravity? This was discussed recently in sci.physics (I think).In case you don't have that group,the outcome of it was that it was apparently a well conducted experiment and the scientists were reluctant to publish.Another group of Japanese scientists tried to duplicate the experiment but could not get positive results (sounds like some other recent pipe dream no?). Someone pointed out that there could many things contributing to lift when spun in one direction and not the other, such as aerodynamic effects arising from irregularitys on the rotating object. -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Phillip Abbott ACSnet: phil@hades.ausonics.oz.au Voice: 02 428 6452 - - Organisation: Ausonics Pty Ltd 16 Mars Road Lane Cove NSW 2066 AUSTRALIA - - Disclaimer: "Opinions not necessarily that of the Organisation" - ------------------------------ Date: 9 Oct 90 02:51:28 GMT From: trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Subject: NASA Headline News for 10/05/90 (Forwarded) Headline News Internal Communications Branch (POC) NASA HQ Friday, October 5, 1990 Audio Service: 202/755-1788 This is NASA Headline News for Friday, October 5, 1990 Preparations for tomorrow morning's launch of Discovery, on the STS-41 mission, are continuing apace at the Kennedy Space Center. According to launch director Bob Sieck, the countdown is proceeding very smoothly, and there are no current open items nor are any expected. Based on the incident yesterday with Atlantis, the shuttle team conducted an extensive review of the paperwork, photos, inventory, equipment and work platforms used in Discovery's aft compartment to ensure nothing had been overlooked. The review confirmed that Discovery's aft compartment closeout was properly accomplished. Weather predictions for tomorrow morning call for a 40 percent probability of violating launch constraints, based on a chance of showers and a possible low ceiling. Weather is not expected to be a factor for the loading of Discovery's External Tank, set for 11:00 pm tonight. The launch probability increases to 70 percent for a Sunday or Monday launch. Technicians continue to install baggies in the area of Columbia's main propulsion system. Fit checks for television cameras were accomplished yesterday. Although Atlantis is now hard mated to its External Tank, further mating operation procedures are now on hold, pending an assessment of yesterday's apparent improper aft compartment closeout. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility will conduct thrust vector research flights with an F/A-18 aircraft beginning with a checkout flight in November. Subsequent flights will continue through 1993. The F/A-18 has been modified by installing a set of spoon-shaped paddles around the exhaust nozzles of the plane's two engines. These paddles can be moved, much like a ship's rudder, to deflect engine thrust in varying directions. The modification and test flights are intended to give NASA aeronautics designers additional insight into the capabilities of high-performance, high-angle-of-attack aircraft. The thrust vector modification is the second phase of a three-phase high-angle-of-attack research program. The first phase, which ended late last year, used conventional flight control surfaces. The next phase would use retractable, hinged strakes on the F/A-18 nose. The test pilot for this joint Ames- Langley-Lewis Research Center project is Ames-Dryden pilot Edward Schneider. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Later today, following a Cabinet meeting President Bush has called following last night's rejection by the House of the proposed 5-year budget compromise, budget update information for NASA employees will be available on NASA Select TV. Here's the broadcast schedule for Public Affairs events on NASA Select TV. All times are Eastern. **indicates a live program. Friday, 10/5/90 10:00 pm **STS-41 Continuing Mission Coverage begins. 11:00 pm **Tanking of Discovery set to begin. Saturday, 10/6/90 7:35 am **Launch of Discovery. 7:50 am Playback of launch video from KSC. 9:11 am **Payload Bay views from Discovery. 9:25 am **Post launch press conference from KSC. 10:39 am **Payload Bay views from Discovery. 10:50 am **Change of Shift briefing from JSC. 3:05 pm Playback of Ulysses Deploy video. 3:30 pm Playback of launch video from KSC. 5:00 pm **Ulysses Post Deploy briefing from JPL. 6:30 pm **Change of Shift briefing from JSC. 7:00 pm Playback of Flight Day 1 video. Sunday, 10/7/90 2:30 am **Change of Shift briefing from JSC. 4:55 am **Earth views from Discovery. 10:30 am **Change of Shift briefing from JSC. 1:00 pm Playback of RMS checkout from JSC. 6:30 pm **Change of Shift briefing from JSC. 7:00 pm Playback of Flight Day 2 video. Monday, 10/8/90 2:30 am **Change of Shift briefing from JSC. 10:30 am **Change of Shift briefing from JSC. 6:30 pm **Change of Shift briefing from JSC. All events and times may change without notice. This report is filed daily, Monday through Friday, at 12:00 pm, EDT. It is a service of Internal Communications Branch at NASA Headquarters. Contact: CREDMOND on NASAmail or at 202/453-8425. NASA Select TV: Satcom F2R, Transponder 13, C-Band, 72 degrees West Longitude, Audio 6.8, Frequency 3960 MHz. At both Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers, the Hubble Space Telescope will be visible beginning today for nearly the entire launch window period of STS-41. Movement across the sky, opening and closing sighting times, and maximum elevation are shown below for both Kennedy and Johnson locations through Monday: At Kennedy Space Center 10/5 SW to ESE starting at 8:22 pm - 8:26 pm for max elevation of 20 degrees; 10/6 SW to ESE starting at 8:35 pm - 8:40 pm for max elevation of 30 degrees; 10/7 WSW to ESE starting at 8:49 pm - 8:54 pm for max elevation of 49 degrees; 10/8 WSW to ESE starting at 9:02 pm - 9:07 pm for max elevation of 56 degrees; At Johnson Space Center 10/6 SW to E starting at 9:12 pm - 9:18 pm for max elevation of 33 degrees; 10/7 SW to E starting at 7:45 pm - 7:53 pm for max elevation of 24 degrees; SW to E starting at 9:27 pm - 9:32 pm for max elevation of 49 degrees; 10/8 SW to E starting at 7:59 pm - 8:07 pm for max elevation of 36 degrees; SW to E starting at 9:42 pm - 9:47 pm for max elevation of 56 degrees; ------------------------------ Date: 4 Oct 90 22:48:09 GMT From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!olivea!oliveb!felix!dhw68k!ofa123!Wales.Larrison@ucsd.edu (Wales Larrison) Subject: Re: Private Space Investment (3 of 4) >How did AMROC get it's funding? Amroc's funding was primarily through "Angels" - people who were willing to risk their private fortune on the basis of trust of the leader of the venture, George Koopman. For example, one of early investors was "Woz", who had co-founded Apple computer with Steve Jobs. The technology behind Amroc was not much at risk, but needed investment of time and talent to solve some engineering problems (no significant break-throughs were needed). They also inherited the experience and talent from the 2 previous incarnations of the venture as G2S, and Starstruck (each of which had failed after some development work). It should be noted that Amroc had problems with financing several times - including after the Oct 1987 stock market crash, after George Koopman's death, and after they had a highly-publicized pad "fire". >How about OSC? OSC was initially funded by Fred Alcorn (an "angel") from his personal fortune with $30,000 in August 1982 with 3 young Harvard MBAs. In Dec 1982, OSC signed a MOU with NASA to develop a TOS (Transfer Orbital Stage to launch satellites into GEO from the Shuttle), and had 6 weeks to develop financing and an organization. Alcorn kicked in another $300,000 and arranged a $2 million credit line through his bank InterFirst of Houston. They then signed a letter of intent with Martin Marietta as prime contractor to design and build the TOS. This allowed them to proceed with initial design and financing. By mid 1983, they had signed with Rothschild investment as a venture capital partner for $1.8 million for 35% of OSC (Nathaniel Rothschild, head of the firm, was interested in revenge on the French-developed Ariane, since Mitterand had nationalized some family concerns). These funds were used to sign up Martin for a $600,000 project definition contract. Then, with Rothschild as advisor, they floated a corporate limited R&D partnership through Shearson/American express for $50 million. (The largest venture captial project in history!). The advantage of this was that it allowed each investor who bought a $50,000 share under SEC Reg D, to produce $22-23,000 in immediate tax write off. However, the Challenger failure in Jan 1986, caused the government to change its policy and to eliminate commercial payloads from the Shuttle. Their investment in the TOS was now virtually worthless since 80% of their targeted market had disappeared with the stroke of a pen. To the credit of the founders of OSC, they regrouped and looked for new markets. They went through a legal consolidation of the limited partnership, and looked for a new business as their funds began to rapidly dwindle. One idea they shopped around was a small winged space booster - Pegasus. DARPA was very interested in OSC's Pegasus concept, and in July 1988 had signed up to buy at least 1 vehicle, with options for 5 more. But how to come up with the money to build it? By the end of 1988, OSC convinced Hercules Inc, to purchase 20% of OSC for $40/share ($32 million) as a strategic investment. Of this purchase, at least $10 million had to be spent on developing the Pegasus launch vehicle with Hercules as subcontractor. If Pegasus would be profitable, Hercules would receive 40% of the profit. (cont) -- Wales Larrison Internet: Wales.Larrison@ofa123.fidonet.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Oct 90 21:14 EST From: MJENKIN@opie.bgsu.edu Subject: Pluto mission? Craig "The Moonman" Levin (moonman@buhub.bardley.edu) had a rather cute tail end to a recent letter ("You are Here/Wouldn't you rather be out there") with a quickie diagram of the solar system... including, much to my approval, Pluto closer in than Neptune. However, this reminded me... Back in August '89 when the press was patiently explaining to people that no, Voyager COULDN'T go to Pluto, I heard a comment to the effect that someone had plans for a Pluto mission sometime in the early 2000's or 2010's, and that it could be a small probe launched "piggyback" from something else. Was this moonshine, or is there really a plan to that effect? (If there is, I'd like to get in on the ground floor and suggest "Orpheus" as a name!) Mark F. Jenkins Bowling Green State University ------------------------------ Date: 9 Oct 90 16:49:23 GMT From: wuarchive!cs.utexas.edu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!utzoo!henry@decwrl.dec.com (Henry Spencer) Subject: Re: Motorola Cellular phone Comsats In article <1050400039@cdp> kdonow@cdp.UUCP writes: >Aren't the Motorola sats going to be launched by Pegasus? The original plan was that the initial constellation would be launched in clumps by Delta or Atlas, with Pegasus used to launch individual replacement satellites. I'm sure the Pegasus consortium is bidding real hard to get them all going up on Pegasus, since it would be a wonderful way to get mass production going, but whether Motorola et al will buy that is another question. -- Imagine life with OS/360 the standard | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology operating system. Now think about X. | henry@zoo.toronto.edu utzoo!henry ------------------------------ Date: 9 Oct 90 03:51:16 GMT From: trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Subject: Payload Summary for 10/09/90 (Forwarded) STS-35/ASTRO-1 STATUS REPORT PREPARED AT 10:30 A.M. TUESDAY, OCT. 9 Patricia E. Phillips 407/867-2468 Kennedy Space Center, FL Following the Space Shuttle Columbia's move back to the VAB today, routine monitoring of the Astro-1 payload will be re- established through power supplied by ground support equipment. Those connections are expected to be established by second shift today. The Broad-Band X-Ray Telescope was serviced with liquid ar- gon on October 5. The next scheduled service is Oct. 15. The payload is healthy, and no impact is seen from the rollback to the VAB or the return to Launch Pad 39-B later this week. Once the orbiter is rolled back out, ground support equip- ment at the pad will again take over power requirements for payload health checks. ------------------------------ Date: 9 Oct 90 16:28:11 GMT From: thorin!bodie!leech@mcnc.org (Jonathan Leech) Subject: Re: space news from Aug 20 AW&ST In article <1990Oct9.062710.24278@zoo.toronto.edu> henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes: >- Aerobraking [!] to bring Magellan down to a 300km circular orbit, Aerobraking was part of the predecessor VOIR (Venus Orbiting-Imaging Radar) proposal, however. -- Jon Leech (leech@cs.unc.edu) __@/ "The imaging team is moving from its ``instant science'' mode to a more leisurely ``fast science'' mode." - Dr. Bradford Smith, Voyager Imaging Team ------------------------------ Date: 9 Oct 90 00:04:14 GMT From: visix!news@uunet.uu.net (Amanda Walker) Subject: Re: Motorola Cellular phone Comsats and cheap space In article , rjc@uk.ac.ed.cstr (Richard Caley) writes: > > No matter what people may say about the C news patch system, putting > Henry on top of an Arianne 4 is not the answer :-) > This was the funniest Usenet posting I've seen in weeks. I'm still giggling... However, it might to fun to contemplate the Usenet Orbit Project... only, what would we put up there? -- Amanda Walker amanda@visix.com Visix Software Inc. ...!uunet!visix!amanda -- "In this age, the mere example of nonconformity, the mere refusal to bend the knee to custom, is itself a service." --John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty" (1859) ------------------------------ End of SPACE Digest V12 #438 *******************