Date: Sun, 23 Aug 92 04:59:58 From: Space Digest maintainer Reply-To: Space-request@isu.isunet.edu Subject: Space Digest V15 #137 To: Space Digest Readers Precedence: bulk Space Digest Sun, 23 Aug 92 Volume 15 : Issue 137 Today's Topics: Asteroid report Atlas Centaur AC-71 Launch Failure Balloon Launches BuckyStalks (was Re: Beanstalks in Nevada Sky) GOP space platform text (2 msgs) Home made rockets Martian Chronology NASA Small business program (2 msgs) PAVE PAWS Private space ventures Spacecraft computers: a request for information space industry SPS fouling astronomy (2 msgs) Star Trek (anti-)realism (2 msgs) With telepresence, who needs people in Earth orbit? Welcome to the Space Digest!! Please send your messages to "space@isu.isunet.edu", and (un)subscription requests of the form "Subscribe Space " to one of these addresses: listserv@uga (BITNET), rice::boyle (SPAN/NSInet), utadnx::utspan::rice::boyle (THENET), or space-REQUEST@isu.isunet.edu (Internet). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 21 Aug 92 09:33:53 GMT From: Nick Szabo Subject: Asteroid report Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro In article <1992Aug21.001737.638@morwyn.uucp> forrie@morwyn.uucp (Forrie Aldrich) writes: >Recently, and associate mentioned there was a report of a rather large >asteroid (or some object) approaching or within our solar system, and >with a trajectory currently in our direction. And that radio signals >have been transmitted from said object. > We have thousands of large asteroids in our solar system. People like Steve Ostro at JPL occasionally bounce radar off them, and analyze the radio signals that come back. Could this be the origin of your rumor? -- szabo@techbook.COM Public Access User --- Not affiliated with TECHbooks Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 644-8135 (1200/2400, N81) ------------------------------ Date: 23 Aug 92 03:25:43 GMT From: Dean Adams Subject: Atlas Centaur AC-71 Launch Failure Newsgroups: sci.space A General Dynamics Atlas/Centaur booster today failed to place the Hughes Galaxy 1R satellite into orbit. After delaying launch for two days due to bad weather, Saturday's liftoff occurred at the opening of the launch window at 3:40pm (PST). All Atlas performance was nominal. The booster engines separated on schedule, and the sustainer engines fired as expected. Centaur insulation, payload fairing, and the first stage all separated normally. Following the Atlas-Centaur separation at about 7 minutes into the flight, the Centaur began it's firing sequence, but the LH2/LO2 fueled engines apparently never produced thrust. The vehicle began tumbling out of control, and the mission was declared a failure. -{ DA }- ------------------------------ Date: 22 Aug 92 22:52:44 GMT From: Sam Warden Subject: Balloon Launches Newsgroups: sci.space cc843@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Paul A. Voytas) writes: >Descriptions of schemes to have a floating spaceport in the stratosphere >are also seen from time to time. These would be huge floating structures >with runways for single stage to orbit type of vehicles. Of course, >you have to get everything up there in the first place.... With lighter-than-air flight, that's the _easy_ part I would think. 8-) -- samw@bucket.rain.com (Sam Warden) -- and not a mere Device. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Aug 92 00:04:09 PDT From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com Subject: BuckyStalks (was Re: Beanstalks in Nevada Sky) Newsgroups: sci.space " Well, why didn't you SAY so?!? We could build the tether around a temporary Lofstrom loop." What is a Lofstrom loop? Eric Klien ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 21:09:01 GMT From: Robert Bunge Subject: GOP space platform text Newsgroups: sci.space As received by FAX from Houston: GOP Platform on Space We are a pioneer people. Today's telecommunications revolution began with the first satellites of the Eisenhower years. So too, what we now do -- or fail to do -- in space will determine the future for generations to come. That is why President Bush established the National Space Council under Vice President Quayle. Together, they rescued a floundering space program, revamped NASA, opened up competition, and engaged the best minds of academia and research in a twofold mission for mankind. Mission to Planet Earth will define and perhaps mitigate effects on our fragile environment. Mission from Planet Earth will open space for science and industry. Especially in this Columbian year, we hail the President's decision "to return to the moon, this time to stay, and then a journey to tomorrow, a mission to Mars." Investments in space, though aimed at the future, pay dividends right now -- in research and medicine, in international competitiveness and domestic opportunity. This must not be diverted to political pork barrels. The journey to the stars used to be a bipartisan adventure, but many Democrat officeholders have jumped ship. Republicans, by contrast, are determined to complete Space Station Freedom within this decade. Our agenda is to lower the cost of access to space, and to broaden that access to the private sector, with a family of new launchers; to build and fly sensors for the global environment; and to advance cutting-edge capabilities like the National Aerospace Plane and single-stage-to-orbit rockets, so technological breakthroughs can be quickly exploited. We will promote space-based enterprise, not a restricted preserve for government. We will continue international cooperation in space ventures and welcome Russia's cosmonauts and citizens of other nations to fly for freedom. Bob Bunge rbunge@access.digex.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1992 00:41:57 GMT From: Jeff Privette Subject: GOP space platform text Newsgroups: sci.space |> As received by FAX from Houston: |> |> GOP Platform on Space As Charlie Brown's schoolteacher said, "Blah bla bla blah blah blah." ------------------------------ Date: 21 Aug 92 18:48:51 GMT From: Dani Eder Subject: Home made rockets Newsgroups: sci.space >In article <5969.409.uupcb@matrix.sbs.com>, george.gassaway@matrix.sbs.com (George Gassaway) writes: >> If "Estes" rocekts are not enough for you folk, try some of the >> commercially made larger rocket motors. Notably, Aerotech, who makes >> engines for consumers in the that go to E and F power. FAR more snesible >> than making your own. I've been into this hobby for 22 years and know >> better than to try to make up my own. Eventually, somebody gets injured >> of killed making up their own stuff. Just not worth it!!! >> Even 'professionals' sometimes have accidents. I recall Thiokol, who makes the Solid Rocket Motors for the Space Shuttle having a fire in one of their casting pits that wiped out the building it was in. The casting pit is where you mix and pour the solid fuel, far away from any humans, in Utah. Dani Eder -- Dani Eder/Boeing/Advanced Civil Space/(205)464-2697(w)/232-7467(h)/ Rt.1, Box 188-2, Athens AL 35611/Member: Space Studies Institute Physical Location: 34deg 37' N 86deg 43' W +100m alt. ***THE ABOVE IS NOT THE OPINION OF THE BOEING COMPANY OR ITS MANAGEMENT.*** ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 02:37:54 PDT From: kfree@pnet01.cts.com (Kenneth Freeman) Subject: Martian Chronology Has a Martian calender been worked up for the benefit of future colonists? Would the moons have a practical or a _pro forma_ role? --- Free Tibet. UUCP: {ucsd nosc}!crash!pnet01!kfree INET: kfree@pnet01.cts.com ------------------------------ Date: 22 Aug 92 20:14:05 GMT From: Edward D Wright Subject: NASA Small business program Newsgroups: sci.space The NASA Small Business Innovative Research program (SBIR) may be contacted at...... SBIR Program Manager Code CR National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington DC 20546. The deadline for the 1993 applications is July 1993. Initial grants are reported to be in the $50k range. Thanks to everyone who responded. Ed Wright ------------------------------ Date: 22 Aug 92 23:38:38 GMT From: Mary Shafer Subject: NASA Small business program Newsgroups: sci.space On 22 Aug 92 20:14:05 GMT, EDW@cup.portal.com (Edward D Wright) said: Ed> Initial [SBIR] grants are reported to be in the $50k range. To be more precise, Phase I SBIRs may not exceed $50,000. Phase II SBIRs may not exceed $500,000. -- Mary Shafer DoD #0362 KotFR NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, CA shafer@rigel.dfrf.nasa.gov Of course I don't speak for NASA "There's no kill like a guns kill." LCDR "Hoser" Satrapa, gunnery instructor "A kill is a kill." Anonymous ------------------------------ Date: 21 Aug 92 12:44 PDT From: Mark Goodman Subject: PAVE PAWS Newsgroups: sci.space To: sci.space From: Mark Goodman (mwgoodman@igc.org) Re: meteoroid detection Date: 21 Aug 1992 Several people have pointed out my error in dismissing OTH radars as meteor detectors. I hang my head in shame. Plasma trails, doppler shifts, yes, yes. I was thinking of their weakness as early-warning radars against cruise missile attack, but that's a different story. It is news to me that the PAVE PAWS radar in Georgia does not operate. I knew the OTH/B radars were mothballed or operating on limited schedules. I assume the BMEWS radars for warning against (former) Soviet ICBMs are still working. But there haven't been any (former) Soviet ballistic missile subs off our coasts for years. +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+ | Mark W. Goodman | What a terrible thing it is | | mwgoodman@igc.org -- econet | to lose your mind. | | goodman@ksgbbs.harvard.edu | | +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1992 21:47:58 GMT From: "Phil G. Fraering" Subject: Private space ventures Newsgroups: sci.space nicho@VNET.IBM.COM writes: >In <8780.2339210127@kcbbs.gen.nz> Simon Demler writes: >>Does it also bother you that these people could be spending some money >>on the drought problems in Africa rather than on some space program > Nope, it doesn't bother me at all. The planet is overpopulated as it >is. Besides, how do you fix a drought ??? > ----------------------------------------------------------------- Massive weather control. Of course, the greens won't like it very much if anyone drops a couple hundred square miles of evaporating film off of Somalia, and starts seeding clouds with whatever the latest material is... There have been rumors of secret attempts to alleviate droughts bandied about (although I doubt them); the reason they're supposedly kept secret is the possibility of having to pay for any damage it _might_ have caused. ... -- Phil Fraering pgf@srl0x.cacs.usl.edu where the x is a number from 1-5. Phone: 318/365-5418 SnailMail: 2408 Blue Haven Dr., New Iberia, La. 70560 ------------------------------ Date: 20 Aug 92 22:21:52 GMT From: Morris Jones Subject: Spacecraft computers: a request for information Newsgroups: sci.space I'm working on an undergraduate computer applications report, and I would appreciate any information on the use of computers in space systems. Details on languages used, physical components, memory, protocols, etc would interest me. Please e-mail me with any details. Morris Jones. University of New South Wales. Happy International Space Year! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 14:04:10 PST From: Michael Wallis Subject: space industry Newsgroups: sci.space aws@iti.org (Allen W. Sherzer) writes: > In article <1469100011@igc.apc.org> Mark Goodman writ > > >There are really no private space launch providers > >outside the United States -- Arianespace is the closest thing. > > So what are Atlas, Delta, and Titan, chopped liver? No, they're INSIDE the United States. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ mwallis@clubzen.fidonet.org - Michael Wallis ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 13:25:28 PST From: Michael Wallis Subject: SPS fouling astronomy Newsgroups: sci.space roelle@uars_mag.jhuapl.edu (Curtis Roelle) writes: > Are there really persons out there who believe a fair assessment of > the physical universe can be made by restricting our view to the > celestial cones around Earth's polar regions? About as many as believe that there'll be > 1000 SPS satellites in GEO with 30% albido brightening up the night sky for everyone. Give it a rest, folks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ mwallis@clubzen.fidonet.org - Michael Wallis ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 13:35:34 PST From: Michael Wallis Subject: SPS fouling astronomy Newsgroups: sci.space Frederick.A.Ringwald@dartmouth.edu (Frederick A. Ringwald) writes: > In article > roelle@uars_mag.jhuapl.edu (Curtis Roelle) writes: > > > Are there really persons out there who believe a fair assessment of > > the physical universe can be made by restricting our view to the > > celestial cones around Earth's polar regions? > > Hey, wait a minute. THIS wouldn't happen in any case. A full-up SPS > system would brighten the entire sky, largely due to scattered light in > the Earth's atmosphere. This would be seen by any observer on Earth, > except those above |82| degrees latitude, who would see a dark sky > (providing it's night, it's clear, and no aurora is around). I have NO idea where you got your info in SPS systems, but it seems there is little in what you say that relates to actual SPS designs or proposals. The SPS systems transmit power in the microwave frequencies not in visible light. Get some facts, please!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ mwallis@clubzen.fidonet.org - Michael Wallis ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 13:40:24 PST From: Michael Wallis Subject: Star Trek (anti-)realism Newsgroups: sci.space Chris.Ralph@f573.n635.z3.fidonet.org (Chris Ralph) writes: > DP>From: parkins@theory.TC.Cornell.EDU (David Parkins) > DP>Organization: Cornell Theory Center > > DP>In response to the statement that no real navy would let a 35 year captain > DP>a ship. Reference Captain John Paul Jones US or Colonial navy during > DP>the US revolutionary war, I'm pretty shure he was around 35 when he got > DP>his first command. > > DP> * Origin: FidoNet/ACSNet Gateway [csource.oz.au] Melbourne, OZ > (3:632/400.0) > > John Paul Jones was 21 when he first took command of a vessel. He was > en route to Scotland as a passenger when both skipper and 1st mate died > of fever. I don't have his name handy, but there's a Canadian Navy Captain of a submarine who made Captain at age 25. He had join at age 17, worked and studied hard and made rapid progress up the command chain in 8 years. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ mwallis@clubzen.fidonet.org - Michael Wallis ------------------------------ Date: 23 Aug 92 04:58:07 GMT From: "Frederick A. Ringwald" Subject: Star Trek (anti-)realism Newsgroups: sci.space In article <2PgXPB9w165w@clubzen.fidonet.org> mwallis@clubzen.fidonet.org (Michael Wallis) writes: > > DP>In response to the statement that no real navy would let a 35 year captain > > DP>a ship. Reference Captain John Paul Jones US or Colonial navy during > > DP>the US revolutionary war, I'm pretty sure he was around 35 when he got > > DP>his first command. [...] > > John Paul Jones was 21 when he first took command of a vessel. He was > > en route to Scotland as a passenger when both skipper and 1st mate died > > of fever. > > I don't have his name handy, but there's a Canadian Navy Captain of a > submarine who made Captain at age 25. He had join at age 17, worked and > studied hard and made rapid progress up the command chain in 8 years. Grrr. Read the original post, will you people ?!? John Paul Jones got where he was during a WAR, during which there is not much EXPLORATION; and when he was 21, he certainly didn't retain command after they reached port. Furthermore, a submarine is not a CAPITAL SHIP: it's still technically a boat, despite the dramatic increase in capability nuclear power gives it. Does this Canadian officer have the rank of Captain, or do they just call him that because he commands a vessel? Old custom, you know. (If a second officer with the rank of Captain comes aboard, it's customary to call him "Commodore" while he is aboard, the rationale being no ship can have two captains. This goes even on a lowly corvette with a Lieutenant commanding; and while aboard his vessel, you'd better call him Captain!) And does he command a diesel or nuclear submarine? If it's diesel, it's definitely a BOAT, not a CAPITAL SHIP, the diffference being greater than that between a pickup truck and a semi-trailer. This topic is silly anyway and the matter should drop, and besides, no one with real experience in a real navy will dispute the original post. ------------------------------ Date: 21 Aug 92 09:18:31 GMT From: Nick Szabo Subject: With telepresence, who needs people in Earth orbit? Newsgroups: sci.space Those in search of government pork. They consider astronauts a good money-raising technique, much like Greenpeace & their whales. (But at least donations to Greenpeace are voluntary). Save the astronauts! Write your Congressman & join NSS now! :-) -- szabo@techbook.COM Public Access User --- Not affiliated with TECHbooks Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 644-8135 (1200/2400, N81) ------------------------------ End of Space Digest Volume 15 : Issue 137 ------------------------------