Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT/SPACEDIG/V09_4/V9_477.TXT

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Date: Thu,  8 Jun 89 05:16:36 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: SPACE Digest V9 #477

SPACE Digest                                      Volume 9 : Issue 477

Today's Topics:
               Gemini and Rogallo wing
          Re: Hang gliders and "bailing out"
         Re: Venus & the Greenhouse effect..
            Re: Amazon Forest Destruction
 Re: CRESCENT SIGHTING - Sun 4 June 1989, Orbital details etc. (Long)
 Re: CRESCENT SIGHTING - Sun 4 June 1989, Orbital details etc. (Long)
Al Diaz selected as Deputy Associate Administrator for Science (Forwarded)
          Re: Space Station computer system
          Re: Space Station computer system
                   Magellan
         Re: OSC Hercules Launch Information
              Russians bomb U.S.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 5 Jun 89 23:55:18 GMT
From: jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!utzoo![e-mail]  (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Gemini and Rogallo wing

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (maurice.r.baker) writes:
>Was there also some synergy here between the concept of "pin-point" landings
>on terra firma, and the strong connection between Gemini and USAF ("Blue Ge-
>mini"/MOL/etc.) ? ...

Well, "synergy" in its exact sense -- two independent-looking things
reinforcing each other -- maybe a bit.  If what you mean is "cause-and-effect
relationship", I *think* the answer is no.  It was just two independent
aspects of the same spacecraft.

In any case, note that the Rogallo Gemini would not have had a long gliding
range, so it wouldn't have gotten a military crew out of hostile territory
in the event of a major guidance foulup.  The main importance of precision
landing was getting rid of the recovery fleet.
--
You *can* understand sendmail, |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
but it's not worth it. -Collyer| uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry [e-mail]

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

Date: 5 Jun 89 16:14:50 GMT
From: jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!utzoo![e-mail]  (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Hang gliders and "bailing out"

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jeff Berkowitz) writes:
>I'd like to advance the idea of Rogallo or parawing vehicles for crew
>escape from low earth orbit...
>Could an escape vehicle consisting of a small solid fuel rocket (for
>deceleration burn) and collapsible wing be used in this situation?

There have been a number of proposals for crew escape from low orbit.
One almost inevitably ends up needing a heatshield of some sort, though,
after which a conventional parachute is usually preferred.  (The "almost"
is because I recall seeing one scheme using a rather unusual parachute
to do most of the declerating at very high altitude, high enough to keep
the heat loads down to what a conventional spacesuit could handle.)

There really doesn't seem to be a lot of advantage in using a wing for
this purpose.  The obvious ways of building a collapsible wing won't
stand up to reentry heat.
--
You *can* understand sendmail, |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
but it's not worth it. -Collyer| uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry [e-mail]

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

Date: 5 Jun 89 13:06:36 GMT
From: dogie.macc.wisc.edu!indri!aplcen!aplcomm!stdc.jhuapl.edu![e-mail]  (Jim Meritt)
Subject: Re: Venus & the Greenhouse effect..

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Scott Gibson) writes:
}In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Henry Spencer) writes:
}>
}>into the details and established that Earth would not have a runaway
}>greenhouse effect even with far more CO2 than it has now.  There are
}>a number of complications, like the effect of clouds on climate (they
}>tend to cool the surface, on the whole).  The "habitable zone" around
}
}I have seen this comment several times, and don't really understand it.
}The surface of Venus is *completely* obscured by clouds.  While it makes
}sense (or seems to) that clouds, by shading the surface, cool it - this
}has not done much for the surface of Venus.  Clearly, the presence of
}clouds does not necessarily stop a runaway greenhouse effect.


Quite the reverse, if they happen to have "windows" in the right bands...
Like Venus...

........................................................................
The above was test data, and not the responsibility of any organization.
[e-mail]  - or - [e-mail]  - or - meritt%aplvm.BITNET

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

Date: 6 Jun 89 15:52:59 GMT
From: bfmny0![e-mail]  (Tom Neff)
Subject: Re: Amazon Forest Destruction

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Mike Van Pelt) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Wayne D. T. Johnson) writes:
>>Article in the local news last night:
>>ozone was being destroyed by electrons coming from the magnetosphere
>>this causing 14% of the ozone loss since 1975...
              ^^^^
              note number

>I suspected from the beginning that the so-called 'ozone hole' was just
>part of a natural cycle that we would have been seeing all along if we
>had had satellites for decades.

Or rather, 14% of which we would have been seeing.  The other 86% remains
unaccounted for, with fluorocarbons a prime suspect.   IMHO 86% of an
environmental crime is still an environmental crime.

A certain percentage of Amazon trees die every year anyway.  This does
not make the present day slash and burn disaster part of a "natural cycle."

>                It makes no sense whatsoever that a
>fluorocarbon-induced hole would first appear over the south pole.

Only a meterologist or planetary dynamics expert is entitled to make a
statement like this.  There have been articles in SCIENCE talking about
this very subject, and to some researchers at least it DOES make sense.
Perhaps a more accurate formulation would be "It makes no sense whatsoever
*to the layman* that a fluorocarbon-induced hole, etc etc" -- this would
be a true statement, for what it's worth.
--
Tom Neff                UUCP:     ...!uunet!bfmny0!tneff
    "Truisms aren't everything."    Internet: [e-mail]

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

Date: 6 Jun 89 00:04:49 GMT
From: visdc![e-mail]  (John E Van Deusen III)
Subject: Re: CRESCENT SIGHTING - Sun 4 June 1989, Orbital details etc. (Long)


THE MUSLIM STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (MSA) of COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, 102 Earl
Hall, Columbia University, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10027 is currently posting
13000 bytes of material every month to sci.space concerning the
observability of the new moon in exotic places.  In article
<[e-mail]>
[e-mail] (Mohib N Durrani) writes:
>
>      DAKAR-Senegal  10   20    18 18   19 18    23 45    MOST PROBABLE

Although it would be necessary to compensate for elevation and
diffraction, it should be possible to calculate the day upon which to
begin the lunar calendar to any *reasonable* precision.  Surely two
people living in the same house would not start the month a day apart
because one happened to be up in the minaret 10 minutes after sun set?
If the new moon is theoretically visible but can not be seen because of
the occurrence of a sand storm or some other factor, how is the first
day of the lunar month determined?  Is this a big problem?

> ...
>       The survey results are to enhance the present ATMOSPHERIC MODEL
>          and fine tune some parameters regarding SCATTERING/VISION.

I should hope so.  If these are obsessive-compulsive religious
machinations, perhaps Cat Stevens could help me out with my phone bill.
--
John E Van Deusen III, PO Box 9283, Boise, ID  83707, [phone]

uunet!visdc!jiii

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

Date: 6 Jun 89 16:30:50 GMT
From: jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!utzoo![e-mail]  (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: CRESCENT SIGHTING - Sun 4 June 1989, Orbital details etc. (Long)

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (John E Van Deusen III) writes:
>Although it would be necessary to compensate for elevation and
>diffraction, it should be possible to calculate the day upon which to
>begin the lunar calendar to any *reasonable* precision...

Like the man said, what's wanted is fine-tuning of models of the
atmosphere and vision.  The problem is, as I understand it, that the
religious rules are based on when the new moon can be *seen*, by
real observers (weather permitting), not on when it is theoretically
there.  This brings vagaries of the atmosphere and of human vision
into the picture, producing a mess.

It would be courteous for the size of the announcement to be cut down,
if possible.
--
You *can* understand sendmail, |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
but it's not worth it. -Collyer| uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry [e-mail]

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

Date: 6 Jun 89 15:36:06 GMT
From: trident.arc.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: Al Diaz selected as Deputy Associate Administrator for Science (Forwarded)

Charles Redmond
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                       June 6, 1989

RELEASE:  89-87

AL DIAZ SELECTED AS DEPUTY ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SCIENCE

     Alphonso V. Diaz today was named NASA's deputy associate
administrator for space science and applications, effective
July 2.

     In making the announcement, Associate Administrator for
Space Science and Applications Dr. Lennard A. Fisk, said: "Al's
extensive NASA management experience and technical involvement
with planetary exploration make him a logical choice to serve as
deputy.  Al will be able to provide the Office of Space Science
and Applications with internal expertise and a proven management
ability."

     Diaz leaves the position of division vice president for
space and aeronautics services, General Electric Government
Services, Cherry Hill, N.J.  In this capacity, he was responsible
for management of NASA-related services provided by GE at various
NASA installations.  He joined GE in July 1988.

     Diaz agreed to return to NASA following discussions with
NASA Acting Administrator Richard H. Truly and Dr. Fisk, who
underscored to Diaz the agency's heavy space science schedule and
the contributions Al could make because of his NASA and GE
experience.

     While previously at NASA, Diaz set up the organization
within the Space Science Office for coordinating with NASA's
Office of Space Station.  He also had worked in NASA's Solar
System Exploration Division.  Diaz began his NASA career at the
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., in 1964 as a cooperative
education student.  Later at Langley, he worked on the technical
development of the Viking organic analysis experiment.

     Diaz received a bachelor of science degree from St. Joseph's
University in 1966; a master's degree in physics from Old
Dominion University in 1970; and a master's degree in management
from Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a NASA-sponsored
Sloan Fellow in 1986.  He was awarded the NASA Medal for
Exceptional Scientific Achievement in 1977 for his work on the
Viking experiment.

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

Date: 6 Jun 89 20:43:50 GMT
From: [e-mail]  (Rick Francis Golembiewski)
Subject: Re: Space Station computer system


 > highlights:  they're talking about thirty to forty IBM PS/2 model 80's
 > pointing devices, with 4 megabytes of RAM and running X-Windows,
 > networked with Fiber Distributed Data Interface and perhaps IEEE 802

 That's pretty much outdated NOW, I don't see how they can hope to have
 enough computing power, unless they are going to use the model 80's as
 terminals... Also the model 80 is a BAD choice even for what is
 available NOW, even the modle 70 is a lot faster then the 80...  And
 Why have 30-40 of them?  Are there going to be THAT many people that
 need them?  I didn't think that the station was supposed to have a
 crew of 40... EEEK  This sounds really frightening MS-DOS in space,
 now I KNOW that the space program is in trouble...


//     Rick Golembiewski  [e-mail]  \\
\\       #include stddisclaimer.h               //
 \\  "I never respected a man who could spell" //
  \\               -M. Twain                  //

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

Date: 7 Jun 89 00:09:23 GMT
From: xanth![e-mail]  (Frank C. Paterra)
Subject: Re: Space Station computer system

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Rick Francis Golembiewski) writes:
>
>  > highlights:  they're talking about thirty to forty IBM PS/2 model 80's
>  > pointing devices, with 4 megabytes of RAM and running X-Windows,
>  > networked with Fiber Distributed Data Interface and perhaps IEEE 802
>
>  That's pretty much outdated NOW, I don't see how they can hope to have
>  enough computing power, unless they are going to use the model 80's as
>  terminals... Also the model 80 is a BAD choice even for what is
>  available NOW, even the modle 70 is a lot faster then the 80...  And
>  Why have 30-40 of them?  Are there going to be THAT many people that
>  need them?  I didn't think that the station was supposed to have a
>  crew of 40... EEEK  This sounds really frightening MS-DOS in space,
>  now I KNOW that the space program is in trouble...
>
>
The poop as I know it -

The computer workstations on the space station, known as Multipurpose
Application Consoles or MPACs are based intel 80386 processors
running at 25 mhz.  The basic MPAC will consist of a Standard Data
Processor (SDP) which contains the data buss and a Network Interface
Unit (NIU).  The NIU allows the workstation to use the fiber-optic
based space station LAN.  Each SDP will contain at least one Embedded
Data Processor (EDP) (the 80386 computer).  The EDPs come one meg and
four meg models.  In addition the SDP can contain some number of I/O
driver cards to handle the user I/O.  The I/O devices will include
video (in and out), keyboards, trac-balls, audio (in and out), and
what ever else is needed to support a particular mission.

The Operating system that will be used is a derivative of Unix, and
there will be rack mounted workstations as well as portable ones.  The
portable workstations have to be plugged in to the Data Management
System (DMS) via one of the many ports available in both the lab and
the habitation modules before they can be used.

IBM is developing the workstations and the current mockup models are
PS/2 model 80s, cleverly hidden behind rack mockups.  The real
workstations, however, will not be model 80s.  Currently there are no
plans to use the 80486 or any other processor.

I'm currently working on a commonality study and have researched the
available information so I pretty sure this is correct.


----------------------------------------------------------------
Frank Paterra            The above is my own opinion and nobody
[e-mail]       agrees with or condones what I said.

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

Date: Tue,  6 Jun 89 10:08:02 PST
From: Peter Scott <[e-mail]>
Subject: Magellan
X-Vms-Mail-To: EXOS%"[e-mail]"

From an in-house Magellan bulletin:

"The only problem that occurred during the launch phase was the failure
of the Magellan solar panels to lock in place prior to the IUS burns.
Again this potential problem had been anticipated and was easily corrected
by rotating the solar panels to an orientation that caused lockup during
the IUS burns.  Shortly thereafter the solar panels were rotated to acquire
the Sun and are providing power to the spacecraft at approximately the
expected levels."

In other words, if something sticks, give it a kick.

Peter Scott ([e-mail])

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

Date: 5 Jun 89 16:58:14 GMT
From: cs.utexas.edu!wasatch!uplherc!esunix![e-mail]  (Bob Pendleton)
Subject: Re: OSC Hercules Launch Information

From article <890602-105011-2653@Xerox>, by [e-mail]:
) Does anyone on the net have any info about where OSC is in their
) development of Hercules ?  Specifically I was looking for the date that
) they expect to do the first launch.

Would you believe OSC/Hercules and their development of Pegasus?
Hercules Aerospace has successfully test fired 2 of the 3 stages. From
what I hear you're looking at a first launch in July or August.

If I hear more I'll post it.

            Bob P.
--
-              Bob Pendleton, speaking only for myself.
- UUCP Address:  decwrl!esunix!bpendlet or utah-cs!esunix!bpendlet
-
-             Reality is stranger than most can imagine.

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

Date: 6 Jun 89 18:40:33 GMT
From: ncrlnk!ncrcce![e-mail]  (Wayne D. T. Johnson)
Subject: Russians bomb U.S.


Another headline from the local news:
(sorry but they didn't give much detail and what little they did give I
have forgotten)

Upper stage from Proton booster crashs in U.S. near Canadian border.

Any one have any details?
--
Wayne Johnson                 (Voice) 612-638-7665
NCR Comten, Inc.             (E-MAIL) [e-mail] or
Roseville MN 55113                    [e-mail]
These opinions (or spelling) do not necessarily reflect those of NCR Comten.

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

End of SPACE Digest V9 #477
*******************