HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Subject: Mars Observer Science Briefing
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Keywords:  Mars Observer, JPL
Reply-To: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 02:22:29 GMT


Donald L. Savage
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                   Aug. 14, 1992
(Phone:  202/453-8400)


NOTE TO EDITORS:  N92-74

MARS OBSERVER SCIENCE BRIEFING SCHEDULED AUG. 19

     A media briefing focusing on the scientific aspects of
NASA's upcoming Mars Observer mission is scheduled for 1 p.m.
EDT, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1992.  The briefing will be held in
the 6th floor auditorium (rm. 6004), 400 Maryland Ave., S.W.,
Washington, D.C.

     Mars Observer is set for launch Sept. 16 from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.  The spacecraft will be
launched aboard a Titan III rocket with a Transfer Orbit Stage
upper stage.  Following an 11-month cruise, the spacecraft
will enter orbit around Mars.  The spacecraft will use its 7
instruments to make a comprehensive and detailed study of the
planet's atmosphere, surface and interior over the course of 1
full Martian year (687 Earth days).  Mars Observer is the
first U.S. mission to Mars since Viking in 1977.

     Participants will be:
        %  Dr. Wesley Huntress, Director, Solar System sExploration Division,
           NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
        %  Dave Evans, Project Manager, Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
           Pasadena, Calif.
        %  Arden Albee, Project Scientist, California Institute of Technology,
           Pasadena, Calif.
        %  Michael Malin, Principal Investigator, Mars Observer Camera,
           Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, Calif.
        %  Michael Carr, Interdisciplinary Scientist, Geosciences,
           U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, Calif.
        %  Andrew Ingersoll, Interdisciplinary Scientist,
           Polar Atmospheric Science, California Institute of Technology,
           Pasadena, Calif.

     The briefing will be carried live on NASA Select
television (Satcon F2R, transponder 13, 72 degrees west
longitude) with remote Q. and A. capability.

- end -
     ___    _____     ___
    /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|     Ron Baalke         | baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
    | | | |  __ \ /| | | |     Jet Propulsion Lab |
 ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |__   M/S 525-3684 Telos | You can't hide broccoli in
/___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 | a glass of milk - 
|_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/                     | anonymous 7-year old.
From: gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: Energya and Freedom and Soyuz ACRV and...
Date: 15 Aug 92 15:40:27 GMT
Reply-To: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman)
Organization: Gannett Technologies Group

In article <2943@mdavcr.mda.ca> garry@mdavcr.mda.ca (Garry Holmen) writes:
>Reading the subject header of this posting gave me a great idea....
>
>Why don't we just strap the shuttle onto the Energia and throw the soyuz into
>the shuttle's cargo bay. This takes care of heavy lift capability, cheap
>escape vehicles and low G returns of space hardware. I'm sure we can get 
>that fellow from South Africa to supply the propellent for the whole project
>if we donate the raw sugar, salt peter and a large candle.
>
>The total price for this scheme would be :
>
>	Energia		2 pairs 501 jeans and Rolling stones CD
>			( equivalent to 10,000,000 rubles in the black market)
>		
>	Shuttle		1 Billion US $. (No red tag special here....)
>
>	Soyuz		Macdonald franchise for St. Petersburg.
>
>for a grand total of 	1 billion plus spare change.
>      plus tax		3 billion.
>
>(PS.... I think Allen can get all this for about 200M if we just let him
>work with the numbers for awhile.)

Well that sounds like a plan, but there's another way that doesn't
require any engineering work to mate all that hardware. The Shuttle's
current high launch cost is mostly labor, a new ET and fuel are piddling
expenses. So let's fire all those Rockwell guys and hire Russian rocket
scientists, they work for $12 a month. A Shuttle launch then runs about
$10 a pound. Can anyone say "too cheap to meter"? I knew you could.

You say Russian labor costs are going to go up now that they are becoming
a free market economy? Damn right! And the price of Energia and Soyuz
are going to skyrocket right along with those wages. *That's* the flaw
in the "let the Russians do it" plans. We can refine and bend metal as
cheaply as anyone. It's the skilled labor costs that make the difference.

Gary
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: dj@ssd.kodak.com (Dave Jones)
Subject: Re: Beanstalks in Nevada Sky (was Re: Tethers)
Organization: :noitazinagrO
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 92 21:04:49 GMT

In article <1992Aug12.174454.2675@access.digex.com> mheney@access.digex.com (Michael K. Heney) writes:
>In article <1992Aug12.152900.19426@pixel.kodak.com> dj@ssd.kodak.com (Dave Jones) writes:
>>
>> [...]
>>
>>Clarke also had his tower made of that famous variety of unobtainium,
>>monomolecular filament.  Assuming he'd done some basic estimates, you
>>have to figure that's the kind of tensile strength you need for a cable
>>23,000 miles long.  He also had a captured asteroid stuck out on the
>>far end as a counter-weight, possibly at a height beyond GEO.
>>
>
>Don't forget the _2061: Odyssey Three_ approach - diamond.  I know diamond
>is used in presses to generate pressures in the millions of atmospheres
>(in very *small* volumes), but is it actually strong enough to handle the
>tensile forces a GEO-centered tether would need to handle?
>
I don't remember diamond featuring as tether material.  However, since
it is (theoretically) a single-molecule solid, the answer is
(theoretically) yes.  What weakens diamond (and metals, other crystals
etc.) is the existence of defects in the structure, where the regular
patterns of interatomic bonds are disrupted.  These defects act as
focus points for stress, and propagate themselves under that stress,
so most crystalline materials are much much (I forget how many orders
of magnitude) weaker than you'd expect if you did a theoretical
calculation based on the strengths of the bonds.


-- 
||)) Dump the Whatzit!  Ren and Stimpy for Olympic mascots in '96 !  )))))))|
||)) "What is it, man?!?" ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))|
||))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))|
||Dave Jones (dj@ekcolor.ssd.kodak.com) | Eastman Kodak Co. Rochester, NY   |
Xref: sparky sci.space:11998 sci.astro:9059 sci.space.shuttle:2126
From: higgins@fnala.fnal.gov (Bill Higgins-- Beam Jockey)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Weekly reminder for FAQs
Summary: Look at FAQ posts on Usenet or Ames archive
Keywords: faq space astro shuttle
Date: 19 Aug 92 16:10:25 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

[Jon Leech is taking a vacation from cyberspace.  Our Special Guest 
Host this week:  Usenet's favorite ukulele-playing physicist,
W. Skeffington Higgins!]

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou.  It's great to be here.  Did you hear about the guy
who build a tethered space gambling casino?  He started out on a shoestring!
And now, on with the Weekly Reminders!"

    This notice will be posted weekly in sci.space, sci.astro, and
sci.space.shuttle.

    The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list for sci.space and sci.astro is
posted approximately monthly. It also covers many questions that come up on
sci.space.shuttle (for shuttle launch dates, see below).

    The FAQ is posted with a long expiration date, so a copy may be in your
news spool directory (look at old articles in sci.space). If not, here are
two ways to get a copy without waiting for the next posting:

    (1) If your machine is on the Internet, it can be obtained by anonymous
FTP from the SPACE archive at ames.arc.nasa.gov (128.102.18.3) in directory
pub/SPACE/FAQ.

    (2) Otherwise, send email to 'archive-server@ames.arc.nasa.gov'
containing the single line:

help

    The archive server will return directions on how to use it. To get an
index of files in the FAQ directory, send email containing the lines:

send space FAQ/Index
send space FAQ/faq1

    Use these files as a guide to which other files to retrieve to answer
your questions.

    Shuttle launch dates are posted by Ken Hollis periodically in
sci.space.shuttle. A copy of his manifest is now available in the Ames
archive in pub/SPACE/FAQ/manifest and may be requested from the email
archive-server with 'send space FAQ/manifest'. Please get this document
instead of posting requests for information on launches and landings.

    Do not post followups to this article; respond to the author.

    "Thanks, ya been a great audience!"

     O~~*           /_) ' / /   /_/ '  ,   ,  ' ,_  _           \|/
   - ~ -~~~~~~~~~~~/_) / / /   / / / (_) (_) / / / _\~~~~~~~~~~~zap!
 /       \                          (_) (_)                    / | \
 |       |     Bill Higgins   Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
 \       /     Bitnet:     HIGGINS@FNAL.BITNET
   -   -       Internet:  HIGGINS@FNAL.FNAL.GOV
     ~         SPAN/Hepnet:      43011::HIGGINS
From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: Beanstalks in Nevada Sky (was Re: Tethers)
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 92 22:17:55 PDT
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Distribution: world
  <1992Aug12.152900.19426@pixel.kodak.com>
  <1992Aug12.174454.2675@access.digex.com>
  <1992Aug13.210449.29829@pixel.kodak.com>
  <16eqs1INNb5k@early-bird.think.com> <BszqAq.Dyy@zoo.toronto.edu>

"If you go "into space", normally defined as >100km (62 nautical miles)
above the earth, then the only laws that apply are those of the launching
nation."

They could still regulate the tethers which would go below 62 nautical
miles!!!  Therefore, I again want to place my casino over Nevada and
the tether over Nevada.
 
"I don't remember diamond featuring as tether material.  However, since
it is (theoretically) a single-molecule solid, the answer is
(theoretically) yes."
 
How strong could a perfectly made diamond tether be?  Could it support
an elevator?  Anything heavier?  How long could it get?

"Hmmm, couldn't we just invent some fancy monofiliment polymer?  I mean
diamond has about a million cleavage planes, won't it fall apart under
tension or shear stress?"

What do people think of using a monofiliment polymer as opposed to 
diamond?

                                                             Eric Klien
From: Frederick.A.Ringwald@dartmouth.edu (Frederick A. Ringwald)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: SPS feasibility and other space development
Date: 20 Aug 92 06:00:51 GMT
 <1992Aug19.172512.8712@dartvax.dartmouth.edu>  
 <19AUG199220422319@judy.uh.edu>
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

In article <19AUG199220422319@judy.uh.edu>
wingo%cspara.decnet@Fedex.Msfc.Nasa.Gov writes:

> Faith allowed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to ignore both computer problems
> and fuel near exaustion to pilot the Lunar Module to the surface of the moon.

That was more like self-preservation. The only alternative to landing
was crashing.

> Faith says that you can go home to your wife [stuff deleted].

The level of professionalism in this is abysmal, as is its relevance.

> Reason is limited. It takes faith to move a civilization forward. 

Medieval history suggests differently.

> It takes
> action based upon a premise that we will find the answers out there even if
> we do not have conclusive evidence for it. 

Faith alone is poor basis for any scientific endeavor. If the answers
come out differently from what how you want them to come out, you must
have the integrity to admit it, or else it won't be science for long.

[...]
> 
> All other discussion along this line is not appropriate for sci.space

Suits me fine, although I will make just one last reply to another of
your posts.
From: munck@stars.reston.unisys.com (Robert G. Munck)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: BuckyStalks (was Re: Beanstalks in Nevada Sky)
Date: 14 Aug 92 14:18:08 GMT
Reply-To: munck@stars.reston.unisys.com
Organization: DARPA STARS/NATO PCIS

In article <16eqs1INNb5k@early-bird.think.com>,
moravec@Think.COM (Hans Moravec) writes:

>The latest and greatest version of carbon fiber is Buckytubes! ...
>I've read lengths of about a centimeter have been produced,

Wow, where'd you see that??  Any indication of strength?  Electricial
resistance? (for reasons I don't understand, articles about Buckyballs
and -tubes always mention superconductivity.)

How about bendability?  It seems to me that one step toward a macro
structure could be "Buckyrings" in which Buckytubes are bent into a
circle and joined at the ends (emitting Buckyballs), but also woven
together like chain mail to form sheets.  The sheets could then be
formed into tubes, the tubes bent into rings, etc. etc.

I have a bit of a personal interest; I met Bucky in 1979 and we
discussed the possibility of carbon atoms forming geodesic structures. 
I don't think we called them "Buckyballs" then, but when I heard the
term a year or so ago, I knew immediately that that was what they were.

Suppose we came up with a (Buckytube-based) material strong enough to
make an Earth beanstalk, and it could be manufactured in mega-kilo lots
for pennies per kilo.  How could we use it to get into space?  Is there
any small-scale, bootstrapping approach that avoids involvement with
Big Dump Organizations like NASA and the US Govt.?

OK, suppose we had that material AND Cold Fusion producing kilowatts
per cc. ...

-- 
Bob Munck
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: aws@iti.org (Allen W. Sherzer)
Subject: Re: Inflatable Space Stations - Why Not ?
Organization: Evil Geniuses for a Better Tomorrow
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 13:05:45 GMT

In article <1992Aug20.121234.17745@ists.ists.ca> joseph@gkcl.ists (Joseph A. Beernink) writes:

>>Whatever became of the idea of inflatable space habitats/workstations ?

I don't think the idea is dead but rather that there just aren't any
projects which need them. If and when SEI ever gets going we may see
that change.

>I was tossing this idea around last summer, and discussed with a few
>physics and space science professors here at York U.  There are a few 
>major problems, the way I understand it.  

>1.  Many of the materials we would like to use, are 'biodegradable' in
>space.  They tend to be broken apart easily by radical oxygen and other
>compounds floating about in LEO.  Something like .1 - 3 cm thickness per
>year for somethings. (Just off the top of my head)

The LLNL Great Exploration design provides a coating of material which
takes care of this problem. I can't remember what they use and I can't
find my reference material but it is in the LLNL repsonces to the
NASA critique of the Great Exploration.

>at the upper limit of this decomposition, many structures would not
>last ten years.

The design life of the LLNL station is 10 years. This isn't a problem
since they are cheap and we can always put up another.

>2.  Blowing up the 'balloon' in space means dealing with radical pressure
>differences, trying to create an volume of gas in a vacuum, and expecting
>to stay where you put it is not an easy task.  Thus, the material would
>probably have to be as strong as kevlar, or the like.

The LLNL design does use Kevlar as well as other design features to 
deal with this problem.

>3.  The material would also have to be able to deal with the rapid
>fluxuations in solar radiation.

Can't address specifics on this one.

>according to my professor friends, its just not possible now.

the maker of all of NASA space suits since Apollo, ILC Dover, who also
makes other large fabric aerospace structures doesn't agree. They studied
the LLNL design and concluded that it was agressive but doable.

   Allen
-- 
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Allen W. Sherzer | "If they can put a man on the Moon, why can't they     |
|  aws@iti.org     |  put a man on the Moon?"                               |
+----------------------246 DAYS TO FIRST FLIGHT OF DCX----------------------+
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: aws@iti.org (Allen W. Sherzer)
Subject: Re: ACRV/Soyuz P # of Passengers
Organization: Evil Geniuses for a Better Tomorrow
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 18:08:26 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.152732.3835@ke4zv.uucp> gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman) writes:

>>Does the word 'comeptition' ring a bell?

>And wait how many years for MM to develop a comparable system? *Time*

No need to wait since they developed their system along with Douglas.
We can insure that both are available if we buy from both providers.

>critical missions go on the first *available* transport,

Since we also sign long term contracts with both parties for maybe
one launch each this isn't a problem. BTW, Martin's commercial
Titan buisness says they can make money on one launch per year.

>There is no market for *two*
>HL systems today, only Fred, and a possible return to the Moon. Winner
>takes all.

Since I am allocating costs in quanity one I can decide to buy from
whomever is out there or give contracts to both parties. Since both
companies use their existing MLV production facilities to build both
the MLV and HLV both can respond quickly.

compared to Shuttle costs, there is enough money to provide for
several HLVs.

  Allen
-- 
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Allen W. Sherzer | "If they can put a man on the Moon, why can't they     |
|  aws@iti.org     |  put a man on the Moon?"                               |
+----------------------247 DAYS TO FIRST FLIGHT OF DCX----------------------+
Newsgroups: sci.space,talk.politics.space
From: sysmgr@king.eng.umd.edu (Doug Mohney)
Subject: Re: Whither a Lunar Base (was: Energiya's role in Space Station assem)
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 92 18:06:41 GMT
Organization: Computer Aided Design Lab, U. of Maryland College Park
Reply-To: sysmgr@king.eng.umd.edu

In article <1992Aug18.134610.22285@csi.on.ca>, richard@csi.on.ca (Richard Martin) writes:
>In article <1992Aug15.170734.10951@aio.jsc.nasa.gov> kjenks@gothamcity.jsc.nasa.gov writes:
>>P.S.  Richard, I note that you're posting from Canada.  When is YOUR
>>country going to start a lunar base?
>I *did* say WE.  One should note that Freedom is an international
>space station.  Canada has a population of about 27 million.  As far
>as resources go, Canada doesn't really _need_ to go to the moon in
>the near future.  As to when we're going to start our base?
>Canada contributed the Canadarm to the Space shuttle, and SPAR
>is presently developing the inchworm manoeuvring device for Fred.
>We also make unfolding antennae which don't unfold, but that's
>another story... =)
>To conclude my silly little ramble:  Canada contributes as Canada
>can (alliteration!).  I think that any moon base will have to be
>international, for financial, logistical, and political reasons.
>Richard.

SPAR is also baking bread in a GAS canister. Don't forget the contribution
fresh bread will make to a space station :-)

Maybe for enough maple syrup, we'll send Henry up to Freedom... of course, he
gets to test Shezer's Soyuz ACRV on the down link.


                 Support U.N. military force against Serbia

  -- >                  SYSMGR@CADLAB.ENG.UMD.EDU                        < --
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Arthur C. Clarke interview
From: oreilly@olivia.la.asu.edu (Tom O'Reilly)
Date: 13 Aug 92 14:38:26 GMT
Distribution: sci.space
Organization: Mars Observer TES Project, ASU, Tempe AZ

Apparently Arthur C. Clarke was interviewed on NPR last week. I didn't
catch it - anybody have a synopsis?

Tom O'Reilly
Mars Observer Thermal Emission Spectrometer
Department of Geology
Arizona State University
Organisation: European Space Operation Centre (E.S.O.C)
Date: Friday, 14 Aug 1992 10:41:45 CET
From: <SLYNENSK@ESOC.BITNET>
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Standard s/c Icons for Mimics

We are looking for references to documents (or other sources) which
define standard symbols for on-board components of spacecrafts; e.g.
gyros, thrusters, magnetotorquers, etc. Any help would me mostly
appreciated.

regards,

     Steen Lynenskjold, CRI
     European Space Operations Centre
     Darmstadt, Germany
From: amon@elegabalus.cs.qub.ac.uk
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: ACRV/Soyuz P # of Passengers
Date: 18 Aug 92 14:26:46 GMT
Article-I.D.: cs.Bt6oE0.KA1.1
Distribution: sci
Organization: [via International Space University]
X-Added: Forwarded by Space Digest
Original-Sender: isu@VACATION.VENARI.CS.CMU.EDU

> The problem with this scenario is *the service isn't provided*.  
That
> can't be tolerated when there are crews up there. So the government
> *will* pay, and the contractor knows it. When salaries in the CIS 

> 


Not true at all if it is indeed run under normal business contracting  
practice. I spent nearly the entire decade of the '70's as a senior  
systems design person in a company delivering large turnkey systems  
to private and government agencies, from Bethesda Naval Hospital to  
San Diego County to Johns Mansville. I had to insure every last spec  
and deliverable was ticked off in my department (and I was the lead  
programmer as well). When we were late, there was no extra money. But  
we still had to work over time and deliver even if it meant losing  
money. Every contract had clauses to deal with overruns, delays and  
nonperformance. You can write liquidated damage clauses that will  
make the bidder very, very honest. If they aren't, then by the time  
the contract is closed out, you own THEM. (Or rather your companies  
law firm does, because they are the ones who really make the bucks.  
You haven't seen plush until you've been in the meeting room of a  
major corporate law firm. Louis XIV would feel at home...)

There is nothing unusual or special about any of these sorts of  
contract clauses. They're all biolerplate. Everyone uses them for  
large procurements: often with even the same wording because they  
come from the same standard reference books. (Or a because former  
employees ripped it off when starting their own high tech company and  
spread it in ever widening circles...)
From: stiles@quik.clearpoint.com
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: beanstalk in Nevada
Date: 12 Aug 92 18:32:23 GMT
Reply-To: stiles@quik.clearpoint.com
Distribution: sci.space
Organization: /usr4/stiles/.organization

Wouldn't it be possible to have a beanstalk terminus in Nevada just as long as
you had a complimentary terminus an equal distance south of the equator, to
form a dual stalk beanstalk?  As I envision this thing, there would be a single
upper terminus, located directly above the equator, and the lines descending
from it would have a catenary shape.  Of course, it would be difficult enough
doing a beanstalk to a terminus on the equator, but as long as we are dreaming
 ...
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: dennisn@ecs.comm.mot.com (Dennis Newkirk)
Subject: Re: Mini Energiya(?) & MIR replacement
Organization: secure_comm
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1992 19:15:28 GMT
Summary: Energia-M and Mir-2
Keywords: mir energia 

In article <PPM-021.92Aug14120629@fb3-s6.fb3-s7.math.TU-Berlin.DE> 
ppm-021@fb3-s7.math.TU-Berlin.DE (christian stelter) writes:
>What you have seen was called Energia-M 

The Energia-M test article was put on the Energia launch pads for fit checks
several months ago.  Photos of the booster appeared shortly afterward in 
magazines and books.

>The core - module of Mir had some breakdowns....
>cheaper to replace this core with a new improved 
>version 

A clarification:

Originally, plans called for the new core to be launched by Buran and 
a complex redocking to take place reattaching all or some of the old 
Mir modules to the new Mir-2 core.

Now, the concensous in the Russian press reporting of Mir-2 seems to 
indicate that the Mir-1 core will not only be replaced, but an all new 
complex will be assembled with new modules as well. 

This will be necessary since by the time Mir-2 will be ready,
Kristall, Kvant and Kvant 2 will be nearing their design limits. And, 
depending on the availability and need for the as yet unlaunched Mir-1 
modules, this may give the Russians the option to increase the 
inclination of Mir-2 to 65 degrees to allow for Plesetsk resupply 
missions.
      
Dennis Newkirk
Motorola Inc, Land Mobile Products Sector
Schaumburg, IL