From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Newsgroups: sci.space.news
Subject: NASA Daily News for 08/11/92 (Forwarded)
Date: 13 Aug 92 04:28:36 GMT
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov


	Daily News
Tuesady, August 11, 1992        24-Hour audio service 202-755-1788



* JPL to Host Press Conference on Venus
* Statement on Earth Data System Proposals Released
* STS-46 Mission Wrap - Up


Today at 3:00 pm EDT JPL will hold a press conference on the planet 
Venus which will be carried live on NASA Select.  The press 
conference will feature several scientist discussion various activities 
of  the Magellan mission (e.g., stereo images and radio occulation) 
and describing their current state of knowledge about such aspects 
of the planet as it volcanic history and atmosphere.

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

NASA yesterday released a statement indicating that the government 
has completed its evaluation of proposals received for the 
acquisition of the Earth Observing Systems DATA and Information 
System (EOSDIS) Core System (ECS). As prescribed by NASA source 
selection regulations, the evaluation of proposals included a "most 
probable cost" analysis of each as reflected in the "best and final 
offers" submitted by the offerers.

Despite NASA repeated attempts during the solicitation and 
evaluation processes to encourage the submission of realistic cost 
estimates, the government's analysis clearly indicates that offers 
significantly underestimated the cost of the respective technical 
approaches.  Accordingly, NASA is unwilling to select an offerer for 
further negotiations leafing to award of a contract.

NASA has elected, therefore, to offer an additional opportunity for 
offerers in the competitive range to adjust the proposed costs to a 
more realistic level.  In instructions issued yesterday by GSFC as an 
amendment to the solicitation, NASA has directed the offerers to 
submit revised cost proposals by 1:00pm EDT on August 31.  By the 
end of September, NASA intends to select an offerer for negotiations 
leading to contract award.

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

As reported yesterday, Atlantis touched down at 9:11 am EDT on 
Saturday, August 8, at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility.  Total mission 
elapsed time to wheel-stop was 7 days, 23 hours, 16 minutes and 10 
seconds.  Total distance traveled by Atlantis was 3,321,007 miles.  
During this flight, which was extended one day, Atlantis made 127 
orbits of the earth.

Atlantis was towed to OPF bay 2 by 3:00pm EDT Saturday for post-
flight deservicing and inspections.  Initial inspections indicate the 
vehicle faired well during the flight.  An avergae number of tile 
dings were reported and the new tires were in very good condition.  
Continued inspections of the vehicle, including the tiles and main 
engines, are planned this week.  Technicians are preparing to open 
the payload bay doors today and begin removing the tethered 
satellite system and EURECA hardware tomorrow.

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

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 11, 1992

Live    12:00 pm                NASA Today -- News
Taped   12:15 pm                Pathway to the Stars
Taped   12:30 pm                Magnetic Effects in Space
Taped    1:00 pm                Replay of TOPEX/Poseidon Launch
Taped    1:30 pm                America's Wings
Taped    2:00 pm                Space Basics
Taped    2:00 pm                Four Days of Gemini
Live     3:00 pm                Magellan - Venus Press Conference



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