HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Subject: Mars Observer Update - 10/05/92
Followup-To: sci.space
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Keywords:  Mars Observer, JPL
Reply-To: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 05:19:46 GMT

Forwarded from the Mars Observer Project.

                      MARS OBSERVER STATUS REPORT
                           October 5, 1992
                            11:00 AM PDT
                          Launch +10 days

(All times are PDT)

The Mars Observer spacecraft is on a nominal trajectory for cruise to
Mars.

The Flight Sequence C1 C load continues to clock out as planned, with
completion by the morning of October 6.

Flight Sequence C1 D executes at 9:00 on October 6 after C1 C completes.
C1 D includes the 3rd Digital Tape Recorder 3 playback looking for TOS
(Transfer Orbit Stage) indications;  C1 D completes on the morning of
October 10.

Flight Sequence C2 executes October 10, at 9:00 AM. C2 includes
Trajectory Correction Maneuver 1.

The Celestial Sensor Assembly "B" side continues to be in use. Teams are
continuing their investigation of what may have caused slit 3 on the A
side to have seen false star transits Wednesday, September 30.

The GRS (Gamma Ray Spectrometer) RAM load attempted Thursday, October 1,
experienced difficulties and was not completed.  Mission teams were
successful in completing the GRS Ram load on Saturday, October 3 . As of
this time, GRS is operating from RAM.  Thermal subsystem team members
are keeping an eye on propellant tank temperatures that continue to
indicate higher temperatures than expected.

As of 10:30 AM this morning, the spacecraft status, as reported by the
Spacecraft Team, is that all subsystems are "Go".
     ___    _____     ___
    /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|     Ron Baalke         | baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
    | | | |  __ \ /| | | |     Jet Propulsion Lab |
 ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |__   M/S 525-3684 Telos | Einstein's brain is stored
/___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 | in a mason jar in a lab
|_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/                     | in Wichita, Kansas.

Newsgroups: sci.space.news
From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Subject: Pioneer Venus Out of Fuel, Orbit Deteroriating
Followup-To: sci.space
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Reply-To: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 1992 12:13:33 GMT

Pioneer Venus ran out of fuel yesterday (October 2) when it tried to fire its 
thrusters to raise its orbit around Venus.  This was much sooner than 
expected - it was thought that there was enough fuel for another two months.  
The spacecraft's orbit is deteroriating, and it is expected to plunge into the
atmosphere of Venus within a week.
     ___    _____     ___
    /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|     Ron Baalke         | baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
    | | | |  __ \ /| | | |     Jet Propulsion Lab |
 ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |__   M/S 525-3684 Telos | Einstein's brain is stored
/___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 | in a mason jar in a lab
|_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/                     | in Wichita, Kansas.

Newsgroups: sci.space.news
From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: Shuttle Status for 10/05/92 (Forwarded)
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 23:18:04 GMT

               KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, OCT. 5, 1992  11 AM


                 STS-52/LAGEOS - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - LAUNCH PAD 39-B

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Leak tests of the No. 3 main engine.
          - Making ground connections to the  orbiter  in  preparation  for
          loading hypergolic propellants into the orbiter's onboard storage
          tanks.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          -  Replaced the suspect No.  3 main engine and  conducted several
          leak tests.
          - Interface verification tests between the payloads and  the  or-
          biter.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          -  Helium  signature leak test of the three main engines and main
          propulsion system on Wednesday.
          - Flight Readiness Review Oct. 6.
          - Launch targeted for October 22.


                     STS-53/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 3

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Leak checks of the auxiliary power units.
          - Brake anti-skid test.
          - Functional test of the landing gear.
          - Tests of the main propulsion system.
          - Final payload bay cleaning.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          - Replaced a thruster on the  right  orbital  maneuvering  system
          pod.

                 MODIFICATION PERIOD - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Installing the left hand simulator OMS pod.
          - Leak checks of the main propulsion system.
          - Installing ferry flight kit items.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          - Installed the right hand simulator OMS pod.
          - Installed the left hand fixed radiators.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          -  Ferry  Atlantis  to  the  Rockwell  International  facility in
          Palmdale, Calif. on October 17 for extensive modifications.


                     STS-54/TDRS-F - ENDEAVOUR (105) - OPF BAY 1

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Removing the main engine heat shields.
          - Taking samples from the helium tanks.
          - Removing windows.
          - Functional tests of the forward reaction control system.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          - Offloaded residual hypergolic propellants.


                STS-53 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/ MLP-1 - VAB HIGH BAY 3

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Mating the left forward center segment to the left booster.
          - Joint close outs.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          - Mated the left aft center segment to the left booster.
Newsgroups: sci.space.news
From: oler@rho.uleth.ca (Cary Oler)
Subject: ALERT: Major Geomagnetic Storm Alert
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: University of Lethbridge
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 17:12:05 GMT

                    /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

                        MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM ALERT

                        ISSUED: 16:30 UT, 29 SEPTEMBER

                    /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\


ATTENTION:

     Geomagnetic activity surpassed the major storm threshold at 15:00 UT on
29 September.  Major to severe storming has been observed since approximately
03:00 UT.  Storm activity is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.

     Significant degradation of HF radio signals over the polar to middle
latitude signal paths has been observed.  Signal quality is expected to
continue very poor over these paths for the next 48 to 72 hours.

     Strong auroral storming has been observed in conjunction with this
disturbance.  Activity has been observed throughout the northern to central
U.S. states.  Observations of activity will be possible over southern
Australia and New Zealand, as well as the northern to north-central areas of
Europe.


**  End of Alert  **
Newsgroups: sci.space.news
From: rowland@zorba7.larc.nasa.gov (Michael W. Rowland)
Subject: Env. Satellites Shutdown in Dec. 1992
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Keywords: satellites, budget cuts
Reply-To: rowland@zorba7.larc.nasa.gov (Michael W. Rowland)
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681 USA
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 23:24:05 GMT

 We at Langley Research Center received news on Thursday, October 2,
1992 that NASA intends to shutdown the following satellites in
December to save about $15M:

     NUMBUS-7

     ERBS

     NOAA-9

     NOAA-10

The following experiments will not be operational while
the satellites are shutdown:

     Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement II  (SAM II)

     Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBS) (3)

     Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II)

Mike Rowland

Mike Rowland, Aerosol Research Branch, MS 475
NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton VA 23681
internet: rowland@zorba7.larc.nasa.gov
Newsgroups: sci.space.news
From: rydzewjh@sun.soe.clarkson.edu (John H. Rydzewski)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Information Wanted
Summary: Info Wanted on 400 Days At Sea Research Project
Keywords: Long Duration, Mars, Space Flight, Ocean, Isolation
Date: 30 Sep 92 19:27:50 GMT
Organization: Clarkson University


	I am looking for information on a research project
that involves putting a man in a boat for 400 days to see 
the effects of isolation on mental health. A paper discussing 
this project was presented at the World Space Congress in 
Washington, D.C., this past August. All I have is the schedule of
the talks from this conference and  would like to learn more about
it.

	From what I was told from someone who attended the conference,
NASA Goddard is involved with it...if anyone has information about
this project, please email me at either of the addresses below.

	Thanks,

	John Rydzewski
	rydzewjh@sun.soe.clarkson.edu
	rydzewjh@craft.camp.clarkson.edu
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: ST7759@SIUCVMB.SIU.EDU (Alex Falkenberg)
Subject: perot's stand on space funding
X-Added: Forwarded by Space Digest
Organization: [via International Space University]
Original-Sender: isu@VACATION.VENARI.CS.CMU.EDU
Distribution: sci
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 20:38:47 GMT

Does Perot have a position on space funding?  Not that I'm going to vote
for him or anything, but it would be interesting to know given the other
questionable stances he has taken...       -agf (just a lowly student,
perhaps forever...)
Xref: sparky sci.space:13818 news.answers:3185
From: amon@elegabalus.cs.qub.ac.uk
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: FAQ: another varient of Astronomical Mnemonics
Date: 2 Oct 92 13:54:37 GMT
Distribution: sci
Organization: [via International Space University]
X-Added: Forwarded by Space Digest
Original-Sender: isu@VACATION.VENARI.CS.CMU.EDU

>     Spectral classification sequence: O B A F G K M R N S
> 

> 	Oh Be A Fine Girl Kiss Me Right Now, Sweetheart. (a classic)
> 


I learned it as:
 	Oh Be A Fine Girl Kiss Me Right Now, Smack!
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.geo.geology
From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Subject: Amber (Was: Re: Population)
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Reply-To: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 11:35:46 GMT

In article <9210010007.AA08683@cmr.ncsl.nist.gov>, roberts@CMR.NCSL.NIST.GOV (John Roberts) writes...
>-From: sysmgr@king.eng.umd.edu (Doug Mohney)
>-I suppose we should next try to restore the dinosaurs to the prominance they
>-had a couple million years ago? 
> 
>That's a *little* beyond our current capability. I believe the current
>(and recent) record for DNA extraction is ~25 million years, for a termite
>trapped in amber. Reconstructing the entire genetic code from DNA fragments
>and using that code to produce a living organism are additional challenges.
> 
>I'd like to see the restoration of the wooly mammoth. With frozen tissue
>available, there's a pretty good chance that they could be cloned.

The basic premise of the book "Jurassic Park" is that dinosaurs were brought
out of extinction by extracting their DNA from mosquitos preserved in amber
which had the dinosaur's blood still in them.  Real interesting book, and I 
believe it is being made into a movie.

The termite that the DNA was extracted from was Dominican amber, which is
dated to be in the Oligocene period.  So, this makes the insect to be
25 to 36 million years old.  If they can extract DNA from Dominican amber, 
they'll be able to extract it from even older amber.

There are other critters that have been trapped in amber besides insects
that potentially can have their DNA extracted.  For example, I have a 
piece of Dominican amber with a lizard tail in it, and an African amber 
(20 million years old) with about 15 strands of hair of an unidentified 
mammal.  Complete frogs have also been found in amber.

While I would very much like to keep this discussion going, I don't think it is
appropriate for sci.space, and I have temporarily cross posted this
article to sci.geo.geology.
     ___    _____     ___ 
    /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|     Ron Baalke         | baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
    | | | |  __ \ /| | | |     Jet Propulsion Lab |
 ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |__   M/S 525-3684 Telos | Quiet people aren't the
/___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 | only ones who don't say
|_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/                     | much.
From: ch.steyaert@abbs.hanse.de (Chris Steyaert)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: "Hearing" meteors with your FM radio
Reply-To: ch.steyaert@abbs.hanse.de
Date: 03 Oct 92 01:51:00 MET
Distribution: sci
Organization: ABBS AstroMail, D-W 2121 Dahlenburg / Germany
X-Version: ZerUU V6.45c

Meteor reflections are normally very short (a few tenths of a second).
Slowly variations should be accorded to the E-layer, air planes, aurora.
 
Try again, Robert. 
 
  Chris Steyaert
  VVS - Belgium


--
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------------------------- for amateur astronomers ----------------------------
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From: pyron@skndiv.dseg.ti.com (Dillon Pyron)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: Controversy over V-2 anniversary
Date: 29 Sep 92 19:16:56 GMT
Reply-To: pyron@skndiv.dseg.ti.com
Organization: TI/DSEG VAX Support


In article <1992Sep29.095734.1@fnalf.fnal.gov>, higgins@fnalf.fnal.gov (Bill Higgins-- Beam Jockey) writes:
>Monday I heard a news account that ceremonies to celebrate this
>event have become a matter of controversy.  A local FM station carries
>the BBC World Service, and they reported that the German government
>had withdrawn its support, or approval, or something, from a
>commemoration sponsored by private aerospace groups.  Ceremonies were
>supposed to take place at Peenemuende, the military base on the Baltic
>where the A-4 was developed.  
>
>Has anybody heard more detail?  Has the story appeared in print?
NPR also carried it (or is that the report you are referring to, since the
local NPR station in Dallas also carries BBC World Services at 14 hours,
Greenich).
>
>Apparently the fact that the A-4 was a nasty weapon that killed lots
>of people overshadows the importance of the anniversary.  
>
>In this country, the Confederate Air Force is allowed to tell us what
>a great plane the B-17 was without visible interference...
Yeah, but remember, the V2 was an instrument of war, while the B-17 was...

Err, the V2 killed civilians as well as military targets, while the B-17 ...

Err, the V2 lost and the B-17 won.  Victors write history.

Maybe we should celebrate its first civil launch, I think that was in August,
1946?  WAC Corporal, if memory serves (it doesn't stretch back that far).
>
>
>Bill Higgins, Beam Jockey              | Here Lies Bill Higgins:
>Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory  | He Never Ever Learned 
>Bitnet:           HIGGINS@FNAL.BITNET  | To Play Guitar So Well
>Internet:       HIGGINS@FNAL.FNAL.GOV  | But He Could Read and Write
>SPAN/Hepnet:           43011::HIGGINS  | Just Like Ringing A Bell
                                          It's Billy B Good tonight.
>
--
Dillon Pyron                      | The opinions expressed are those of the
TI/DSEG Lewisville VAX Support    | sender unless otherwise stated.
(214)462-3556 (when I'm here)     |
(214)492-4656 (when I'm home)     |"Repay kindness from a stranger by kindness 
pyron@skndiv.dseg.ti.com          | to another stranger."
PADI DM-54909                      
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: Cohena@mdc.com (Andy Cohen)
Subject: Re: what use is Freedom?
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 92 15:45:13 GMT
Organization: MDSSC-Space Station
Followup-To: sci.space
Distribution: sci

It's good to see a thread here on questions that we have all been asking
ourselves on this program......  I've been deeply involved in it for four
years and let me tell you....this program ain't easy.  However, I'd like to
add a few comments.....

First of all the press makes the program look real bad when a redesign is
announced... Truth is, the redesign of a little while ago was way overdue
and caused by the group think notion of the astronaut building the station
rather than it being prebuilt on the ground.... The old design would NEVER
have worked.  Since we had to redesign AND keep to the schedule of a first
launch in 1995 (now 1996) we are all scrambling to complete the design in
an environment which seems dead set against us.... funds are shrinking,
schedule slips are taboo and most importantly...we are STILL learning about
how to do it..... Now.....learning how to do it should stick in your
mind........ 

Space Station Freedom is big....REALLY BIG...I mean, it's not just some
skylab or something....listen...  We are talking about something the size
and mass of a building for cripes sake!  AND....it is orbiting within the
altitude envelope of the shuttle.....that means there is an atmosphere
hitting up against all those surfaces making the guidance and navigation a
very tricky prospect indeed.  However, technically it IS feasible and once
we got it....WE GOT IT!!!  Not only do we know how to do it once it's
up....we also have the standards for all manned space endeavers for the
future....the power systems, the avionics...the modules...the environmental
control...the truss assemblies...the launch capacities...I can go on and
on.... all can be off-the-shelf for a moon base....for a moon orbiting
station...for an interplanetary jump-off platform...for orbiting
factories....and yes don't forget Mars..One real good way to think of SSF
is as an analogy to Gemini. The Gemini program taught us how to maneuver,
dock, set orbits... basically how to get around...all of which was vital to
the success of Apollo.... SSF is this for all aspects of the future
missions.........Well, this is MY opinion anyway!!

A while back I was watching an old film about Apollo... It was made about
midway through the program and before the first successful launch....  If
one removed all references to Apollo...that is, just blanked them
out....then listened to the sound track....  It would sound JUST like Space
Station.... The same arguments, the same debates, the same challenges....
We succeeded bigtime on Apollo....  Our silicon CPU industry is one of the
biggest results....  The experiments that  Judy at UofH was talking about
are just a glimmer of the iceberg.... 
... Please....don't just attack this program.....ask questions.  I'll
answer what I can.


Andy Cohen.....these are MY opinions expressed....NOT MDSSC!!!
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Pioneer Venus Out of Fuel, Orbit Deteroriating
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 15:47:05 GMT
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology

In article <1992Oct5.051539.26766@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au> ins894r@aurora.cc.monash.edu.au (Aaron Wigley [Wigs]) writes:
>What is the current operation status of Pioneer Venus? 

Operational, apart from the tanks being dry.

>Would we be able to get any useful data as it enters Venus's atmosphere...

Yes, although it might be a bit more limited than originally planned, given
the unexpectedly short notice.
-- 
There is nothing wrong with making      | Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
mistakes, but... make *new* ones. -D.Sim|  henry@zoo.toronto.edu  utzoo!henry
Xref: sparky sci.space:13816 news.answers:3183
From: stgprao@st.unocal.COM (Richard Ottolini)
Subject: Re: Magellan
Keywords: Magellan, JPL
Organization: Unocal Corporation
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 22:46:13 GMT

How does Magellan move its radar attena to transmit results to earth?
Is it an electric motor powered by solar power or thrusters?
Is this the ultimate limitation on Magellan's lifetime then, barring
breakdowns?
From: amon@elegabalus.cs.qub.ac.uk
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: Space and Presidential Politics
Date: 29 Sep 92 14:17:16 GMT
Article-I.D.: cs.BvCFxF.5JJ.1
Distribution: sci
Organization: [via International Space University]
X-Added: Forwarded by Space Digest
Original-Sender: isu@VACATION.VENARI.CS.CMU.EDU

> Allen Sherzer has also complained that Clinton and Gore are
> relying on the advice of space pundit John Pike, whom he accuses
> of being skeptical (heaven forbid) about the prospects for SSTO
> technology.  Consorting with a known agnostic!  I know John Pike,
> and if he has a fault it is that he is too much of a space
> enthusiast.
> 


I've met him as well. He is nice enough as a person but is not  
technological aggressive enough for my tastes. He was on a panel at  
the end of the DC conference and came off looking like a victorian  
era spacer. I think he went pale when the president of the NSS  
suggested that nanotechnology might well be a shortcut to space. I am  
not at all surprised he doesn't support DCX. I do however. If you  
think HE is too much of an enthusiast, then I am afraid I will have  
to take anything you say about pro-space attitudes of Clinton with 3  
grains of salt. Or less.

I also think Dan Goldin is possibly NASA's last hope. It would be the  
act of a low grade moron with the mental cabilities of an amoeba to  
replace him.

> I can only conclude that if you care about space so much that you
> would base your vote on the issue you have 1) little to go on and

As has been said before, the sum total of everyone's special  
interests is the public interest, NOT what the political pundits  
claim is the public interest. For some on this news group space  
(read: the future) IS the defining issue. That is their right and  
perogative. Who gives a damn what the Washington Post says anyway?


> 2) loose marbles.  Get real!  Space is not and should not be a big
> issue in this Presidential election.  The issues are how to
> strengthen the economy and give people real opportunities to
> improve their lot while reducing the deficit and the burden of the
> national debt and healing the divisions in our society.  Without
> that, NASA is going nowhere.  Only a prosperous and united society
> will support space exploration.
> 

> So don't lose the forest for the trees.  Vote on the big issues.
> Vote for Bush and Quayle if you really believe that they are
> better for the country as a whole (I certainly don't), but don't
> vote on the basis of dimly defined space policies.
> 


Which is why my (absentee) vote is for Marrou/Lord.

				Live Free or (let the other guy) Die,
				Dale Amon
From: roberts@CMR.NCSL.NIST.GOV (John Roberts)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: Long-term investments
Date: 1 Oct 92 00:33:36 GMT
Organization: National Institute of Standards and Technology
	formerly National Bureau of Standards


-From: szabo@techbook.com (Nick Szabo)
-Subject: Re: Lunar landing in 2002
-Date: 26 Sep 92 23:51:29 GMT

-In article <1992Sep26.151124.25081@ke4zv.uucp> gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman) writes:
->...US private industry won't fund
->a return to the Moon because the results won't show up in their bottom
->lines in the less than six months timeframe that institutional investors
->will allow them for venture investments.

-This is silly socialist rhetoric.  Chevron, among others, is planning 
-their oil operations in Siberia out beyond 2030 -- forty years.  

Then Chevron is to be congratulated. Question: *how much* are they spending
now on projects that won't start to pay for forty years? If it's more than
a few million a year, then I'm *really* impressed.

My impression is that the situation regarding long-term investment by US
business is gradually improving, but that it still has quite a long way to
go before it reaches an "optimum". A privately owned company might have a
better chance in the long run than a public corporation, provided that it
can get the money to invest in the first place.

John Roberts
roberts@cmr.ncsl.nist.gov