From: kd2bd@ka2qhd.DE.COM (John Magliacane)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: * SpaceNews 05-Oct-92 *
Date: 3 Oct 92 16:04:07 GMT
Article-I.D.: ka2qhd.9210032035.AA02615
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu

SB NEWS @ AMSAT < KD2BD $SPC1005
* SpaceNews 05-Oct-92 *

Bulletin ID: $SPC1005


                              =========
                              SpaceNews
                              =========


                        MONDAY OCTOBER 5, 1992


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It
is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.


* KITSAT IMAGES AVAILABLE *
===========================
The best pair of KO-23 images to date were taken Oct 1.  The wide angle shot
includes Korea, Japan, and surrounding areas.  The narrow angle covers the
land bridge between the Japanese islands of Kyushu and Honshu, east to
west to Kitakyushu, and east to Hiroshima.  Both processed and unprocessed
versions have been placed on tomcat.gsfc.nasa.gov in amsat/kitsat:

KAIW2003.GIF   wide angle raw (flipped 180 so north is up)
KAIW2P03.GIF   wide angle contrast stretched.
KAIN2003.GIF   narrow angle raw (flipped 180 so north is up)
KAIN2P03.GIF   narrow angle contrast stretched.

The contrast is quite stretched to bring out the land details.  The only
processing done to the "raw" image is that it is flipped exactly 180
degrees so that north is up.

The resolution on the narrow angle image appears to be about 400 meters
per pixel, as some of the 4km wide islands are 10 pixels across.

There are still several artifacts that need to be processed out, including
the KO-23 version of the gray bar, which is different than the UO-22 gray bar.
There may also be a difference in the sensitivity of the two fields.  While
all that is being sorted out, enjoy this version.

[Info via NK6K]


* FO-20 NEWS *
==============
A software reload was completed on 30-Sep-92 at 12:42 UTC, and Mode JD
operation was resumed.

The latest Mode JA analog transponder schedule follows:

07-Oct-92 00:30 UTC -to- 08-Oct-92 00:45 UTC
14-Oct-92 00:51 UTC -to- 15-Oct-92 01:10 UTC
21-Oct-92 01:15 UTC -to- 22-Oct-92 01:35 UTC
28-Oct-92 01:40 UTC -to- 29-Oct-92 02:00 UTC

[Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK]


* STS-53 O-RING FOLLOW-UP *
===========================
In the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3, workers began demating the
booster segments designated for the STS-53 mission the night of September
22nd.  When the right forward center segment was demated from the right
aft center segment the morning of September 23rd, a one-inch piece of the
V-2 filler sections was found pinched between the tang and clevis.

Officials have determined that this V-2 filler caused the leak that was
detected on September 18th.  Recent inspection of the three o-rings
proved they were intact and undisturbed.  No foreign debris or contamination
was present in the joint.

There are 8 sections of the V-2 filler sections that are held in position
with grease and are press-fitted into place within the joint.  The rubber
V-2 filler sections are about four feet long, about a half an inch wide
and "U" shaped.

The right forward center segment has been lowered down into the transfer
aisle.  Both joints are being cleaned, inspected and prepared for re-mate.
New o-rings and V-2 filler sections will be installed.  A leak check of
the joint will be performed after the segments have been remated.

The STS-53 mission is currently targeted for a mid-November launch.
Impact of the destacking activities on the target launch date, if any,
is still being assessed.

[Info via Ron Baalke @ JPL]


* AURORAL INFO AVAILABLE *
==========================
A new service has been implemented that can be easily accessed by those
with Internet FINGER capabilities.

The most recent auroral activity sightings as well as the status of any
auroral activity warnings or watches can now be obtained by typing:
FINGER AURORA@XI.ULETH.CA or FINGER AURORA@142.66.3.29.  After the fingered
connection to xi.uleth.ca has been established, there will be a brief pause
(up to approximately 30 seconds), followed by the most recent list of
sightings.

The information available through this service is updated once each hour.
Fresh material is typically available by 30 to 35 minutes past each hour.
Sighting reports are presently restricted to North America and are
only updated between 22:30 UTC and 17:30 UTC daily (approximately
corresponding to local daylight hours for North America).

Any questions or comments regarding this new service should be directed
to: Oler@Rho.Uleth.CA, or: COler@Solar.Stanford.Edu.


* MESSAGES *
============
Thanks to the following who sent feedback to SpaceNews, especially:

N0QOF  FC1DGQ  W1GD  KB2GLO  VE2VBR  WB3JFS  KF5MD  KE8OO  KD9UL


* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Mail to SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any
of the following paths:

FAX      : 1-908-747-7107
UUCP     : ...ocpt.ccur.com!ka2qhd!kd2bd
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PACKET   : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET : kd2bd@ka2qhd.de.com  -or- kd2bd@amsat.org

MAIL     : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
           Department of Engineering and Technology
           Advanced Technology Center
           Brookdale Community College
           Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
           U.S.A.


        <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>>


/EX

--
John A. Magliacane                 FAX  : (908) 747-7107
Enginnering & Technology Dept.     AMPR : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA
Brookdale Community College        UUCP : ...!rutgers!ka2qhd!kd2bd
Lincroft, NJ  07738  USA           VOICE: (908) 842-1900 ext 3607