From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: NASA Daily News for 08/19/92 (Forwarded)
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 19:15:13 GMT

	Daily                News
Wednesday, August 19, 1992      24-hour audio service at 
202/755-1788


 % 31 ACTS Program Experiments Selected
 % KSC Processing Update
 % MSFC Space Station Exhibits in Chicago

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

NASA has selected 3l experiments from 50 proposals submitted by the
public and private sectors for inclusion in the Advanced Communications
Technology Satellite (ACTS) Program.  Scheduled for launch in early
1993 for a 2-year experiment period, the ACTS program offers a unique
opportunity for commercial, governmental and academic organizations to
experiment with and validate new communications satellite
technologies.

Developed to support future high-risk communications needs which fall
outside the sponsorship capability of the private sector, the ACTS is
pioneering technology developments that will provide better service,
lower cost, greater convenience and improved reliability.

Experiments in the ACTS program will test a variety of applications.
American Express plans to transmit and receive data at high speeds
through the ACTS small ground stations, testing the technology for
possible use in a future operational system.

In other experiments, the Mayo Foundation will use ACTS to demonstrate
medical support to remote communities and to transfer high-definition
imagery.  The National Science Foundation's Palmer Station in
Antarctica will transmit data and images used for scientific
research.  Georgetown University is creating a high-speed, interactive
education network in South America.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Orbiter Endeavour (OV-105) remains in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle
Assembly Building (VAB), with mate to the external tank and boosters on
hold pending resolution of ongoing troubleshooting of the overhead
crane issue.  Evaluations are underway in the Kennedy Space Center
malfunction lab of components removed from the 250- ton, high-bay-1
crane, with use of both this and the 175-ton crane temporarily
suspended.  Rollout of STS-47/OV-105 stack to launch pad 39-B still is
targeted for this weekend.

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

Marshall Space Center's Space Station Freedom exhibit trailers
currently are on display at Chicago's Adler Planetarium, with the
trailers staffed until August 23 with the exhibit contractor and
specially trained planetarium docents.  Next stop for the trailers and
the "Why America Explores Space" exhibit will be the National American
Legion Convention in Chicago August 24-27.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
        
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.

Wednesday, August 19, 1992
Live    12:00 pm NASA Today news program
        12:15 pm Aeronautics & Space Report
        12:30 pm Orbital Mechanics
Live     1:00 pm Mars Observer Media Briefing (Live from NASA HQ)
         1:30 pm Flying Machines
         2:00 pm Launch Box  #l "Spectacular Space Suit"
         2:30 pm Around  the World and on the Way
         3:00 pm TQM #23 (University of New Mexico Series)
         4:00 pm NASA Today and subsequent programming repeats.
         8:00 pm NASA Today and subsequent programming repeats.
        12:00 am NASA Today and subsequent programming repeats.
        
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