From ota Mon Jun 20 03:07:58 1988
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	id AA03212; Mon, 20 Jun 88 03:07:39 PDT
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 88 03:07:39 PDT
From: Ted Anderson <ota>
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Subject: SPACE Digest V8 #258

SPACE Digest                                      Volume 8 : Issue 258

Today's Topics:
		   NASA news - Mars mission project
		Shuttle processing status, May 25 & 27
			satellite oceanography
			     STAR P.A.C.
	     Re: Ruskies find Heaven to the left of Pluto
			       Leaving
		      NASA Prediction Bulletins
			   Re: Space suits
			   Bungled posting
		      Re: skintight space suits
		Re: A New Holiday? (awkward question)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 28 May 88 06:53:08 GMT
From: sonia!khayo@cs.ucla.edu  (Eric Behr)
Subject: NASA news - Mars mission project

=============================================================================

LOCAL STUDENTS CHART COURSE FOR MARS MISSION

May 27, 1988

RELEASE:  88-69


     A three-month "Mars Mission" course concludes June 1 when
District of Columbia students present mission scenarios to a Blue
Ribbon panel of government aerospace managers and specialists.
Presentations will begin 10:30 a.m. EDT at the Department of
Transportation auditorium, sixth floor, 400 Seventh Street, SW.

     NASA has been conducting the course for 20 high school
students of the District of Columbia's School Without Walls since
February 1988.  The school is an alternative high school using
the community and its resources as the education setting.  The
community includes industry, museums, government, university and
individual scholar mentors.

     The students were divided into U.S. and Soviet groups, and
through role play, each group developed a manned Mars mission
scenario using their country's resources.

     Throughout the course, NASA scientists, managers, and
astronauts discussed space transportation systems, future flight
systems, Soviet space programs, planetary science, Space Station,
space physiology and medicine, and international agreements.

     From course lectures, the U.S. and Soviet groups designed
their theoretical mission plan.  The scenarios identify:

   *  mission objective
   *  mission schedule
   *  crew participation
   *  recreation/scientific activities
   *  medical countermeasures
   *  martian orbit precautions
   *  international cooperation
   *  political/budget obstacles

     The Blue Ribbon panel members include Dr. Franklin Martin,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Station, NASA
Headquarters;  Dr. Marie Zuber, Geophysicist, NASA Goddard Space
Flight Center;  Alan Ladwig, Director of Special Programs and
Projects for Office of Exploration, NASA Headquarters;  Carl
Praktish, Special Assistant for External Relations, NASA
Headquarters;  Kathryn Schmoll, Assistant Associate Administrator
of Space Science and Applications, NASA Headquarters;  Frank
Owens, Deputy Director of Educational Affairs, NASA
Headquarters;  and Marcia Smith, Aerospace Policy Specialist,
Library of Congress.

     The Mars Mission course demonstrates NASA's continued
commitment to improving the level of science literacy in the
nation's schools and is a further extension of the NASA
administrator's request for employees to participate in a
volunteer effort to support the District's public school system.

     The NASA Headquarters Educational Affairs Division developed
this course with Alan Ladwig and Dr. Andrew Gaffney, an astronaut
mission specialist scheduled to fly a Spacelab mission in 1990.

=============================================================================
                                                       Eric

------------------------------

Date: 28 May 88 06:51:59 GMT
From: sonia!khayo@cs.ucla.edu  (Eric Behr)
Subject: Shuttle processing status, May 25 & 27

=============================================================================

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1988

             STS-26 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1

     Today,  a 24-hour pressurization test of the main propulsion
system helium bottles is planned. This test will locate any leaks
in the helium tanks which are filled  at  the  launch  pad.  This
morning  the  frequency  response  test was completed and no sig-
nificant problems were reported.

     A functional test of the payload bay doors is scheduled  for
this evening.  Closeouts of all areas of the orbiter are underway
in preparation for rollover  to  the  Vehicle  Assembly  Building
scheduled  for the first week of June.  Thermal protection system
operations are being worked on all areas of the orbiter as flight
processing continues.

             STS- 27 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2

     Powered down operations are scheduled while a panel,  neces-
sary for  power  up,  is  being  repaired.  After  power  up  the
radiators will be deployed for structural inspections.  Meanwhile
processing operations are continuing to ready the power  reactant
storage  and  distribution  system for flight.  Modifications are
continuing to implement the crew escape system.  The  chin  panel
has   been   reinstalled   for   final  fit  checks  and  contour
measurements.

                STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OMRF

     Operations scheduled today include crew escape, bonding heat
absorbing  strips  to  Columiba's  belly  for  the  RTV heat sink
modification, and electrical modifications in the forward and aft
sections of the orbiter.

               STS-26 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB

     Yesterday,  technicians  greased the metal parts of the last
field joint on the right hand solid  rocket  booster.  The  metal
parts of the segments were inspected in preparation for the mate.
Prior to mate, adhesive will be applied to the j-seal, and the o-
rings and the mating tool will be installed. Meanwhile, closeouts
of the field joints on both boosters are continuing.

     Today,  the  right  forward  assembly  is  scheduled  to  be
delivered  to  the VAB transfer aisle today.   The left and right
forward assemblies are scheduled to be installed this weekend.

=============================================================================

Friday, May 27, 1988

           STS-26  -  DISCOVERY (OV 103)  -  OPF BAY 1

     A pressurization test of the main propulsion system helium
bottles is continuing today. Yesterday a functional test of the
orbiter's star tracker was completed.

     Technicians finished shaving tiles around the nose landing
gear and chin area. The nose landing gear doors are open and
technicians will finish fine tuning adjustments of the thermal
barrier.

     A functional test of the payload bay doors is scheduled for
no earlier than midnight tonight. Technicians are inspecting the
door hinges and the associated thermal covers. Orbiter closeouts
are active on all areas of the shuttle in preparation for moving
the vehicle to the Vehicle Assembly Building scheduled for June
4.

     Installation of ordnance devices is planned for tomorrow and
thermal protection system operations are scheduled over the
Memorial Day holiday weekend.

           STS-27  -  ATLANTIS (0V 104)  -  OPF BAY 2

     Power down operations are continuing today while two panels
necessary for power up work are being repaired at the Rockwell
Service Center. Yesterday, technicians installed an oxygen panel
for the fuel cell system and electrical connections are planned
today. No work is scheduled over the three-day weekend.

              STS-28  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OMRF

     Orbiter power down modifications scheduled today include
checks of thermal blankets to be installed in the midbody, crew
escape and electrical modifications in the forward and aft
sections of the orbiter. No work is planned for the three-day
weekend.

              STS-26 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS  -  VAB

     Today the left forward assembly will be mated to the left
stack. The right forward assembly is scheduled to be mated by the
weekend. In parallel with stacking the forward assemblies workers
are conducting a leak check of the final right hand field joint.
After all the hardware is stacked on the mobile launcher
platform, measurements of the alignment will be taken.  Closeouts
of all the field joints is also in progress.

=============================================================================
                                                       Eric

------------------------------

Date: 28 May 88 16:19:06 GMT
From: aplcen!aplcomm!stdc.jhuapl.edu!jwm@mimsy.umd.edu  (Jim Meritt)
Subject: satellite oceanography


Is anybody else out there doing oceanography using satellite radar data?
(currents, mostly.  Adding wind & waves)


Disclaimer: Individuals have opinions, organizations have policy.
            Therefore, these opinions are mine and not any organizations!
Q.E.D.
jwm@aplvax.jhuapl.edu 128.244.65.5  (James W. Meritt)

------------------------------

Date: 28 May 88 08:58:41 GMT
From: EWTILENI@pucc.princeton.edu  (Eric William Tilenius)
Subject: STAR P.A.C.

Has anyone heard of a Political Action Committee called STAR PAC ?
 
They ran an ad in The Christian Science Monitor back about a week ago
advertising the need for strong national leadership of the space program.
 
I don't have the actual ad copy, but it said something like "Who will
lead us into space in the 21st century - Bush or Dukakis."
 
I sent the organization a small contribution since I liked what they were
advocating, but was leary about an unfamiliar organization.
 
Has anyone heard anything else on STAR PAC?  Is it newly formed, or does
it have a track record?  How does it compare with SPACE PAC?
 
- ERIC -
 
*----------------------===>  SPACE IS THE PLACE... <===-----------------------*
*        ewtileni@pucc.Princeton.EDU  //  ewtileni@pucc.BITNET                *
*      rutgers!pucc.bitnet!ewtileni  //  princeton!pucc.bitnet!ewtileni       *
* ColorVenture - Microcomputer Software - "Because Life isn't Black and White"*
*--------------------===> Another proud CoCo 3 owner <===---------------------*

------------------------------

Date: 28 May 88 05:22:51 GMT
From: sonia!khayo@cs.ucla.edu  (Eric Behr)
Subject: Re: Ruskies find Heaven to the left of Pluto

In article <1224@crete.cs.glasgow.ac.uk> jack@cs.glasgow.ac.uk (Mr Jack Campin) writes:
 >First Hitler on the moon, and now this ...
 >Front page story from the Sunday Sport, 22 May 1988.
 >[For US readers: the Sunday Sport is basically a tits and bums paper...
[the other 120 lines deleted]
Yeah, yeah, we want more, we are all bored to death with those silly,
uninformative, beside-the-point, endless summaries that Henry Spencer
somehow finds time to pound into his keyboard ...............
                                                       Eric

------------------------------

Date: 24 May 88 13:08:55 GMT
From: ulysses!gamma!pyuxp!nvuxj!nvuxg!nvuxk!perseus@ucbvax.berkeley.edu  (A D Domaratius)
Subject: Leaving

I will be leaving the net because I will be returning to my home
company, New York Telephone.  No boos and hisses please.  I was on
rotation at Bellcore since April, 1985.  I have enjoyed many
interesting articles on these nets and will miss the communications
with other people (That includes you too |||SPIKE|||).

I would like to find out if there is an access to these networks
through Bulletin Board Services.  If so then maybe I can continue to
communicate with you people in the future.

Al Domaratius

Go METS  (THIS ONE'S FOR YOU |||SPIKE|||)

Go Bruins

------------------------------

Date: 28 May 88 17:04:44 GMT
From: ut-emx!tskelso@sally.utexas.edu  (TS Kelso)
Subject: NASA Prediction Bulletins


For those of you who are interested in satellite tracking, the most current
orbital elements from the NASA Prediction Bulletins are carried on the
Celestial RCP/M, (512) 892-4180, and are updated several times weekly.  As a
service to the amateur satellite community, the most current of these elements
are uploaded weekly to rec.ham-radio.  The Celestial RCP/M may be accessed 24
hours/day at 300, 1200, or 2400 baud using 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity.

--
TS Kelso                            ARPA: tskelso@emx.cc.utexas.edu
The Center for Space Research
The University of Texas at Austin   UUCP: {ihnp4,allegra}!ut-emx!tskelso

------------------------------

Date: 28 May 88 21:49:26 GMT
From: mnetor!utzoo!henry@uunet.uu.net  (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Space suits

Phil certainly knows whereof he speaks:  contamination is something one
does have to worry about, although the extent depends on what one is doing.
However, note that neither existing manned spacecraft nor existing spacesuits
are contamination-free; far from it.  I doubt that the space activity suit
would be spectacularly worse.
-- 
"For perfect safety... sit on a fence|  Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
and watch the birds." --Wilbur Wright| {ihnp4,decvax,uunet!mnetor}!utzoo!henry

------------------------------

Date: 29 May 88 03:11:08 GMT
From: sonia!khayo@cs.ucla.edu  (Eric Behr)
Subject: Bungled posting

Sorry for posting the latest Shuttle processing report to sci.space.
It obviously should have gone to .space.shuttle. Mea culpa....
                                                       Eric

------------------------------

Date: 28 May 88 21:36:53 GMT
From: mnetor!utzoo!henry@uunet.uu.net  (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: skintight space suits

> I'm willing to accept that human skin makes a good enough
> space suit, with a little mechanical support. What about
> human guts, human bladders, and human wombs? I have the
> gut :-) feeling that with my head in a pressure bowl and
> the other end exposed, I wouldn't need external propulsion.
> How is that problem handled? Matching pressure shorts?

I haven't seen that specific aspect addressed in the descriptions I've
read, but I understand that concave spots in general are addressed with
custom-shaped air-filled balloons inside the fabric.
-- 
"For perfect safety... sit on a fence|  Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
and watch the birds." --Wilbur Wright| {ihnp4,decvax,uunet!mnetor}!utzoo!henry

------------------------------

Date: 27 May 88 05:21:49 GMT
From: okstate!richard@rutgers.edu  (Richard Brown)
Subject: Re: A New Holiday? (awkward question)

> In article <24337@bbn.COM> mfidelma@BBN.COM () writes:
>> Does anybody else out there think that July 20 (the day of the first moon
>> landing) should be a recognized holiday?

Is my memory playing tricks on me?  I had always thought the actual
_landing_ took place on 19 July (Oklahoma time).  The EVA was 
postponed until the crew had rested, &c.  The "...giant leap for
mankind" occurred after midnight.  I remember vividly that this
was the first time I was allowed to stay up all night, to watch
the TV coverage and live broadcast from the moon.
Uh, I suppose the landing could well have been on the succeding
date if GMT were used.  I really don't recall that much detail.

It certainly _SHOULD_ be an International holiday!
				-  richard

-- 
Richard Brown, Oklahoma State University, Computer Science 
UUCP:  {cbosgd, ihnp4, rutgers}!okstate!richard
ARPA:  richard@A.CS.OKSTATE.EDU
BITNET:  ....CISXRVB

------------------------------

End of SPACE Digest V8 #258
*******************

