From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: NASA Daily News for 08/17/92 (Forwarded)
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 19:28:35 GMT

	Daily                News
Monday, August 17, 1992 24-hour audio service at 202/755-1788


 *  Mars Observer Science Briefing Set for Aug. 19
 *  KSC Orbiter Processing Status
 *  MSFC Education Activities Update


Headquarters and project officials involved in the Mars Observer
mission will participate in a media briefing at NASA Headquarters on
Wednesday, August 19, at 1:00 pm to focus on scientific aspects of the
upcoming flight.  The briefing will be carried live on NASA Select.

Mars Observer is set for launch September 16 from Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, Fla.  The spacecraft will be launched aboard a Titan III
rocket with a Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS) upper stage.  Following an
11-month cruise, the spacecraft will enter orbit around Mars.  The
spacecraft will use its seven instruments to make a comprehensive and
detailed study of the planet's atmosphere, surface and interior over
the course of one full Martian year (687 Earth days).  Mars Observer is
the first U.S. mission to Mars since Viking in 1977.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Orbiter Endeavour (OV-105) was rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly
Building (VAB) this morning for mating to the external tank and
boosters. Orbiter Columbia (OV-102) is in the Orbiter Processing
Facility (OPF) bay 1 for ongoing tests of the brakes, orbital
maneuvering system pod and the liquid oxygen portion of the main
propulsion system, as well as aft flight deck reconfiguration and tile
operations.  Orbiter Discovery (OV-103) is in VAB bay 2 for structural
modifications inside the wings and will be moved to OPF bay 3 later
this week.  Orbiter Atlantis (OV-104) is in OPF bay 2 for the start of
its modification period.  The residual hypergolic propellant has been
off-loaded, and post-flight inspections of the main engines, tests of
the hydraulic system, removal of the tires and preparations to remove
the forward reaction control system are in progress.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Recently the Teacher of the Year from each of the 50 states joined 30
teachers from other countries for a visit to the Space Camp at the
Alabama Space and Rocket Center.  The Marshall Space Flight Center
hosted the group for an afternoon, providing a MSFC tour and special
briefings on NASA education programs and future plans for activities
with an international aspect.

In addition, the eight-week Summer Teacher Enrichment Program at MSFC
has just ended.  Nineteen secondary teachers from seven states
participated in the program, which is designed to allow teachers to
work in MSFC labs as they develope teaching activities based on their
experiences.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

        

Here's the broadcast schedule for Public Affairs events on NASA Select
TV.  Note that all events and times may change without notice, and that
all times listed are Eastern.  Live indicates a program is transmitted
live.

August 17, 1992

Live    noon                    NASA Today -News 
Taped   12:15 pm                Age of Space Transportation
Taped   12:30 pm                Preparation of Food in Space
Taped    1:00 pm                Apollo 8 - Go for TLI
Taped    1:30 pm                From Gondola to Manned Space Flight
Taped    2:00 pm                Launch Box #4 - "The Living Earth"
Taped    2:30 pm                Birth of NASA
Taped    3:00 pm                TQM #21 - Univ. of New Mexico Series

        
This report is filed daily at noon, Monday through Friday.  It is a
service of NASA's Office of Public Affairs.  The editor is Charles
Redmond, 202/453-8425 or CREDMOND on NASAmail.  NASA Select TV is
carried on GE Satcom F2R, transponder 13, C-Band, 72 degrees West
Longitude, transponder frequency is 3960 MegaHertz, audio subcarrier is
6.8 MHz, polarization is vertical.
Newsgroups: sci.space.news