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Subject: SPACE Digest V13 #105

SPACE Digest                                     Volume 13 : Issue 105

Today's Topics:
            Re: liquid SCUBA -- possible?
           Re: Humankind's Second Off-world Colony
               Re: Firm Fred Decisions
              Re: Why man rate?
      NASA Selects Small Business Research Projects (Forwarded)
           NASA Headlines for 01/29/91 (Forwarded)
            Re: liquid SCUBA -- possible?
              Re: Spacing Organizations
              Re: Why man rate?

Administrivia:

    Submissions to the SPACE Digest/sci.space should be mailed to
  [e-mail].  Other mail, esp. [un]subscription requests,
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 29 Jan 91 19:04:35 GMT
From: usc!cs.utexas.edu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!riverdale.toronto.edu![e-mail]  (Mark Gabriele )
Subject: Re: liquid SCUBA -- possible?

[e-mail] (Henry Spencer) writes:

>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Anthony DeBoer) writes:
>>... The idea they had was to use liquid breathing, with some
>>complicated solution, to fill your lungs and breathing spaces, then fill your
>>sinuses and middle ears with some neutral solution and put you inside a tank
>>of water, such that everything would be at the same density.  Then they could
>>shoot you out of their cannon without it bothering you...

>Well, I don't know as I'd want to be the first person to try it. :-)  There
>are still density differences; for example, your bones are denser than the
>surrounding tissue.  Run the acceleration up high enough and injury will
>still result.  I have no feel for where trouble starts, though.

...and I should point out that although the trials on humans may not
have been done yet (it might be urban legend), the trials on rats and
mice (which I have personally witnessed) showed that the lungs are not
designed to breath fluids of that density.  Basically, the diaphragm
muscle gets too tired to continue breathing after a fairly short time
(I don't know what this time restriction would be for a human).  So,
after you're in the capsule, they'd better not delay the countdown....

=Mark ([e-mail])

------------------------------

Date: 22 Jan 91 19:45:17 GMT
From: pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!pitt!nss![e-mail]  (Paul Blase)
Subject: Re: Humankind's Second Off-world Colony


 JD>  Put floatation units on it to keep most of the
 JD>  building above the surface (and it's probably a real bad idea
 JD>  to put anything you really like or need in the subsurface
 JD>  basement if the fluid around the subsurface rooms is water and
 JD>  there's a chance of a freeze sometime). Think of the fluid as
 JD>  a moat :)

 JD>         If the fluid water evaporates, you might find yourself
 JD>  tunneling your way to the core, though. For that matter,
 JD>  heated water ice on Ganymede probably sublimes, doesn't it?
 JD>  Oh, well.


Put a plastic bag over the 'moat' to control evaporation, then carefully
control the amount of heat that you allow to escape so that enough
liquid is continuously present to float in.

--- via Silver Xpress V2.26 [NR]
--
Paul Blase - via FidoNet node 1:129/104
UUCP: ...!pitt!nss!Paul.Blase
INTERNET: [e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: 29 Jan 91 18:52:12 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!usc!jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu![e-mail]  (David Palmer)
Subject: Re: Firm Fred Decisions

In article <800^Z4&@rpi.edu>:

>I have been reading with interest Ken's descriptions of the emerging
>space station design.  There is one point which puzzles me, however.  When
>did the idea of a robust station die?  What I mean is, when did we decide
>that Freedom was only going to be a limited station and that it would do
>only one type of research.

If you spend too much money on hardware, that cuts into the budget
for administration.  (after all, the proper emphasis is nasA, not
naSa or even NASA).  So far, it seems to be working perfectly,
and they are achieving near-perfect success in their targetting of
funding.  The blame reapportionment system is also working well,
with significant success in targetting Congress.

--
        David Palmer
        [e-mail]
        ...rutgers!cit-vax!gap.cco.caltech.edu!palmer
    "Operator, get me the number for 911"  --Homer Simpson

------------------------------

Date: 29 Jan 91 21:49:14 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!dsinc!ub!ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu![e-mail]  (Craig L Cole)
Subject: Re: Why man rate?

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Craig L Cole) writes...
>
>Not that I have anything against Titans, but why was it man-rated? Did
>they ever expect to launch capsules?
>


Oops. I forgot -- Gemeni was launched aboard Titan IIs. Thanks for
the reminders everyone -- and for leaving the asbestos intact! :-).



Craig Cole
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: 29 Jan 91 18:04:05 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!mars.jpl.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Ron Baalke)
Subject: NASA Selects Small Business Research Projects (Forwarded)

Barbara Selby
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                   January 29, 1991
(Phone:  [phone])


RELEASE:  91-15

NASA SELECTS SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROJECTS


     NASA announced today the selection of 39 research proposals
for negotiation of Phase II contract awards in NASA's Small
Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR).  Included are 36
small, high technology firms located in 17 states.

     This is the second group of selections made from a total of
224 proposals submitted by SBIR contractors completing Phase I
projects.  The 39 selections, valued at approximately $19
million, add to 84 Phase II selections announced on Nov. 26,
1990, bringing the total to 123 selections valued at
approximately $61 million.

     SBIR goals are to stimulate technological innovation,
increase the use of small business (including minority and
disadvantaged firms) in meeting federal research and development
needs and increase private sector commercialization of results of
federally funded research.

     Phase I project objectives are to determine feasibility of
research innovations meeting agency needs.  Phase II continues
development of the most promising Phase I projects.  Selection
criteria include technical merit and innovation, Phase I results,
value to NASA, commercial potential and company capabilities.
Funding for Phase II contracts may be up to $500,000 for up to a
2-year performance period.

     The SBIR program is managed by NASA's Office of Commercial
Programs, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., and all individual
SBIR projects are managed by nine NASA field centers.
      ___    _____     ___
     /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|      Ron Baalke         | [e-mail]
     | | | |  __ \ /| | | |      Jet Propulsion Lab |
  ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |___   M/S 301-355        | It's 10PM, do you know
 /___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /|  Pasadena, CA 91109 | where your spacecraft is?
 |_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/                      | We do!

------------------------------

Date: 29 Jan 91 18:04:55 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!mars.jpl.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Ron Baalke)
Subject: NASA Headlines for 01/29/91 (Forwarded)


             Headline News
Internal Communications Branch (P-2) NASA
Headquarters

  Tuesday, January 29, 1991    Audio Service: 202 / 755-1788

This is NASA Headline News for Tuesday, January 29, 1991

Technicians at Kennedy Space Center yesterday decided to
change out the three questionable thrusters on DiscoveryUs
orbital maneuvering system pods.  The assessment followed
a retest of two of the thrusters for leaks and the inspection of a
third for proper brazes.  The new thruster assemblies are being
bench tested today.  They will be installed on Discovery on
Thursday and then subjected to inspections and testing.  Present
orbiter flow schedules indicate a roll over of Discovery to the
Vehicle Assembly Building is possible on Thursday, Feb. 7.
Other work in progress on OV 103 includes the closeout of the
orbiter aft compartment and continuation of the payload bay
cleaning process.  Structural leak checks and final payload bay
closeout are also scheduled prior to DiscoveryUs roll over

AtlantisU three main engines were tested yesterday for
electronic and mechanical response.  The main engine
controller on engine #2 failed at power-up.  Channel B of
that engineUs computer halted during the power-up process, so
that engine did not even begin the flight readiness testing
sequences.  The controller will be replaced and engine #2 will be
tested this week.  Engines #1 and #3 exhibited no anomalies.
The forward reaction control system will be installed on Atlantis
this week.  Timing of that installation will have to be
coordinated with the changeout of the Discovery thruster
assemblies, as both activities are hazardous work processes.
Currently the schedule calls for RCS installation either
tomorrow or Thursday.  Other work in progress on OV 104
includes water spray boiler leak and functional tests , potable
water system and waste containment system servicing, and
testing.  AtlantisU solid rocket booster stacks are now
complete in the Vehicle Assembly Building.  Workers are
presently engaged in alignment of the boosters and closeout
activities on the field joints.  The mating of the external tank
to the two SRBs could occur as early as this weekend.

On Columbia, still awaiting DiscoveryUs berth in the OPF,
technicians continue to perform minor servicing.  An instrument
cable in avionics bay 1 is being replaced, and molds are being
made of a wing strut for replacement of that strut.

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

The Office of Space Flight will hold its monthly press
briefing today beginning at 11:00 am through 1:00 pm.  The
briefing will be held in Room 425, Bldg. 10-B.  Associate
Administrator Bill Lenoir, Shuttle program director Bob
Crippen, and flight systems director Michael Lyons will be the
participants.  The briefing will not be shown on NASA Select TV.

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

NASA and the National Science Foundation signed an
agreement yesterday which will allow NASA scientists to use
the Antarctic to conduct basic scientific and technical research,
which could be directly applicable to the development of a moon
base or Mars journey.  The NSF manages U.S. research
activities on the barren continent and has more than 33 years of
Antarctica experience.  NASA Code S and Code R scientists will
use the continentUs harsh environment as a testbed for the
development of such technologies as life support, environmental
control, energy generation and storage, and human behavior and
performance.  According to the NSF and NASA scientists, the
Antarctic climate, terrain, temperature and isolation closely
parallel the conditions which would exist during long-
duration space missions and thus provides a testbed for
prototype lunar and Mars systems.



Here's the broadcast schedule for Public Affairs events on NASA
Select TV.  All times are Eastern.  **indicates a live program.


Tuesday, 1/29/91
    12:00 pm    NASA Productions will be transmitted.

    2:30 pm    **NASA Educational Affairs video conference on
SEEDS project.  This is an interactive video program involving
students, teachers, and program scientists.  It will be
transmitted on Westar IV, channel 19, but will be available on
the NASA Headquarters internal video distribution system.

Wednesday, 1/20/91
    1:15 pm    **Magellan-at-Venus report from Jet Propulsion
Laboratory.

NASA Select TV:  Satcom F2R, Transponder 13, C-Band, 72
degrees West Longitude, Audio 6.8, Frequency 3960 MHz.

      ___    _____     ___
     /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|      Ron Baalke         | [e-mail]
     | | | |  __ \ /| | | |      Jet Propulsion Lab |
  ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |___   M/S 301-355        | It's 10PM, do you know
 /___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /|  Pasadena, CA 91109 | where your spacecraft is?
 |_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/                      | We do!

------------------------------

Date: 29 Jan 91 21:40:47 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!euclid.jpl.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Peter Scott)
Subject: Re: liquid SCUBA -- possible?

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Mark Gabriele ) writes:

> ...and I should point out that although the trials on humans may not
> have been done yet (it might be urban legend), the trials on rats and
> mice (which I have personally witnessed) showed that the lungs are not
> designed to breath fluids of that density.  Basically, the diaphragm
> muscle gets too tired to continue breathing after a fairly short time
> (I don't know what this time restriction would be for a human).  So,
> after you're in the capsule, they'd better not delay the countdown....

Shouldn't be too hard to rig up a pressure-assisted breathing
system.  Rather than bother trying to construct a regulator
for the fluid, just put a bladder around the astronaut and pulse
the thing at a sensible rate.

As for the gag reflex, this sounds like something best done under
general anesthesia, certainly if you're asking me to volunteer...

--
This is news.  This is your       |    Peter Scott, NASA/JPL/Caltech
brain on news.  Any questions?    |    ([e-mail])

------------------------------

Date: 30 Jan 91 04:00:27 GMT
From: agate!shelby!unixhub!linac!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!munnari.oz.au!mel.dit.csiro.au!yarra!melba.bby.oz.au![e-mail]  (Gregory N. Bond)
Subject: Re: Spacing Organizations

>>>>> On 22 Jan 91 20:17:29 GMT, [e-mail] (Tim McDaniel) said:


Tim> (1) What nations or organizations have launched objects into orbit?
Tim>     Obvious: USSR, European Space Agency, US, China, Japan.
Tim>     PLEASE RESPOND BY E-MAIL -- I'LL SUMMARIZE.  (If you can't e-mail,
Tim>     please don't bother replying to the net.)

I saw an exhibit in the Sydney Powerhouse museum recently that had a
number of interesting things.  One was info on an Australian
experimental satelite that was launched in the early 60s from
Woomera, using British launcher.  But the whole project was
Australian.  Orbited for couple of weeks.

The most impressive exhibit was (a mock up of?) a J1 engine.  It was
suspended from the ceiling, and the area under the nozzle (about 4m
diameter) was used for info on the Apollo program.  That thing is HUGE!

Greg.
--
Gregory Bond, Burdett Buckeridge & Young Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
Internet: [e-mail]    non-MX: [e-mail]
Uucp: {uunet,pyramid,ubc-cs,ukc,mcvax,prlb2,nttlab...}!munnari!melba.bby.oz!gnb

------------------------------

Date: 30 Jan 91 18:58:09 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!usc!isi.edu!wlf.isi.edu![e-mail]  (Craig Milo Rogers)
Subject: Re: Why man rate?

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Henry Spencer) writes:

>However, there were
>firm plans to man-rate a variant of Titan III, specifically the IIIM, for
>launch of MOL (essentially a small military space station) with a Gemini
>on top.

    Which was cancelled, after most of the design work had been
completed, when money got tight and the US decided to go for the
international prestige of a quick trip to the moon, instead of
investing in a long-term, military presence in space.  Right?

                    Craig Milo Rogers

------------------------------

End of SPACE Digest V13 #105
*******************