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Subject: SPACE Digest V13 #220

SPACE Digest                                     Volume 13 : Issue 220

Today's Topics:
  Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on sci.space/sci.astro

Administrivia:

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

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

Date: 1 Mar 91 18:49:19 GMT
From: borg!vangogh![e-mail]
Subject: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on sci.space/sci.astro


    sci.space/sci.astro FAQ - draft copy 2/10/91

    This message is periodically posted to sci.space and sci.astro in an
attempt to provide good answers to frequently asked questions.    If you have
corrections or answers to other frequently asked questions that you would
like included in this posting, send email to [e-mail] (Jon Leech).
If you don't want to see the FAQ, add the subject line of this posting to
your KILL file.

    Many people have contributed material to this list in the form of old
postings to sci.space and sci.astro which I've edited.    I apologize if any
of this material is misattributed or misquoted.  Please let me know if
corrections need to be made.

    Unless otherwise specified, telephone numbers, addresses, and so on are
for the United States of America. Non-US readers should remember to add the
country code for telephone calls, etc.

    Contents:

1) Online archives of space-related information
1a) NASA Ames archives
1b) NASA SpaceLink
1c) NSSDC online catalog
1d) Astronomical databases (various sources)
1e) Orbital element sets
2) Periodically updated information posted to the net
3) How to obtain data from space missions
4) Why isn't data from space missions immediately available?
5) How do I compute spacecraft orbits and trajectories?
6) How do I compute planetary positions?
7) What are sources for space and astronomy references?
8) How big a crater will an asteroid hitting the Earth make?
9) How do I receive the NASA TV channel, NASA SELECT?
10) How can I get LANDSAT and other space photos?
11) How can I get planetary maps?
12) How can I get cometary orbit data?
13) How can I get the SAO stellar database?
14) How do I find out about careers in the space industry?
15) Tell me about map projections and spherical trignometry
16) What space-related mailing lists are available and how do I get on them?
17) What is the Dial-A-Shuttle service and how do I use it?
18) What upcoming space science/planetary missions are scheduled?
19) Tell me about space-related organizations (L-5, NSS, SSI, etc.) and
    magazines covering space activities.
20) How do I perform N-body simulations efficiently?
21) How can I find out more about the LLNL "Great Exploration" (manned Mars
    mission and large inflatable space station) proposal?
22) Will there be launchings/landings during <period>? How do I get in to
    watch them?
23) What are the risks of RTG power sources for space probes?
24) How do I interpret the FITS image format?
25) Where can I get/find out how to build spacecraft models?
26) How can I find out more about esoteric propulsion schemes
    (solar sails, laser launchers, fusion, antimatter, etc.)?
Appendix A) Constants and Equations
Appendix B) How to become an astronaut
Appendix C) Questions yet to be answered

1) Online archives of space-related information

1a) NASA Ames archives

    The most extensive archives are maintained at NASA Ames and are
    available via anonymous FTP or email. These archives include images and
    a wide variety of documents including NASA press releases, shuttle
    launch advisories, and mission status reports.

    FTP users should connect to ames.arc.nasa.gov (128.102.18.3) and look in
    pub/SPACE. pub/SPACE/Index contains a listing of files available in the
    archive (the index is about 200K by itself).

    To access the archives by email, send a letter to
    [e-mail] (or ames!archive-server). In the
    subject of your letter (or in the body), use commands like:

    send SPACE Index
    send SPACE SHUTTLE/ss01.23.91.

    The capitalization of the subdirectory names is important. All are in
    caps. The following is a list of the subdirectories that are currently
    available:

    APOLLO      GIOTTO    MANIFEST    PRESS.KIT     ULYSSES
    ASTRO      HEADLINE.NEWS MARS.ROVER    PRESS.RELEASE VICAR
    BBXRT      HST        MCSR        PROGRAMS      VOYAGER
    COBE      HUT        MISC        RADIO          WEATHER
    CONTRACT  IMDISP    NTE        SHUTTLE       WUPPE
    CRAF      OSR        SPACE.CLASSROOM FRR          PAYLOAD.STATUS
    SPACELINK GALILEO    LAUNCH.ADVISORY PEGASUS
    GIF      MAGELLAN    PIONEER        UIT

    The GIF directory contains images in GIF format. A few have been
    uuencoded so that they be mailed, but unfortunately the majority will
    not survive mailing. This will be rectified in the future. The VICAR
    directory contains Magellan images in VICAR format (these are also
    available in the GIF directory). A PC program capable of displaying
    these files is found in the IMDISP directory, although it is still a
    binary file (ZIP format) and so it is not suitable for mailing at this
    time.

    The NASA media guide describes the various NASA centers and how to
    contact their public affairs officers; this may be useful when pursuing
    specific information. It's in MISC/media.guide.

    Any problems with the archive server should be reported to Peter Yee
    ([e-mail]).

1b) NASA SpaceLink

    SpaceLink is an online service located at Marshall Space Flight Center
    in Huntsville, Alabama. The system is specifically designed for
    teachers. The data base is arranged to provide easy access to current
    and historical information on NASA aeronautics and space research. Also
    included are suggested classroom activities that incorporate information
    on NASA projects to teach a number of scientific principles. Unlike
    bulletin board systems, NASA Spacelink does not provide for interaction
    between callers. However it does allow teachers and other callers to
    leave questions and comments for NASA which may be answered by regular
    mail.

    You can dial in at 205-895-0028 (300/1200/2400 baud, 8 bits, no parity,
    1 stop bit).

    The telephone number for NASA Spacelink is 205-895-0028.

    Most of this information is also available from the Ames server in
    directory SPACELINK.

1c) NSSDC online catalog

    The National Space Science Data Center is the official clearinghouse for
    NASA data. The data catalog (*not* the data itself) is available online.
    Internet users can telnet to nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov (128.183.10.4) and log
    in as 'NODIS' (no password).

    You can also dial in via 301-286-9000 (300, 1200, or 2400 baud, 8 bits,
    no parity, one stop). At the "Enter Number:" prompt, enter MD and
    carriage return. When the system responds "Call Complete," enter a few
    more carriage returns to get the "Username:" and log in as 'NODIS' (no
    password).

    The system is menu-driven; topics available as of 2/7/91 are:

    1   -    Master Directory - NASA & Global Change
    2   -    Personnel Information Management System
    3   -    Nimbus-7 GRID TOMS Data
    4   -    Interplanetary Medium Data (OMN
    5   -    Request data and/or information from NSSDC
    6   -    Geophysical Models
    7   -    CANOPUS Newsletter
    8   -    International Ultraviolet Explorer Data Request
    9   -    CZCS Browse and Order Utility
    10  -    Astronomical Data Center (ADC)

    Data can be ordered from the NSSDC on CD-ROM and other formats. Among
    the many types of data available are Voyager and other planetary images,
    Earth observation data, and star catalogs. Viewers for Macintosh and IBM
    systems are also available. As an example of the cost, an 8 CD set of
    Voyager images is $75.

    Nssdca is also an anonymous FTP site, but no comprehensive list of
    what's there is available at present.

1d) Astronomical databases (various sources)

    mandarin.mit.edu (18.82.0.21) has the following data available via
    anonymous FTP in /astro: StarChart v3.2, orbital elements for bright
    comets and asteroids, the Yale Bright Star catalog, Saguaro Astronomy
    Club Deepsky and Double Star databases, some PC astronomy programs, and
    possibly more. Get astro/README. Contact [e-mail] with
    questions.

    The ames archives contain a database of 8,436 galaxies including name,
    RA, declination, magnitude, and radial velocity in MISC/galaxy.dat.
    This was supplied by Wayne Hayes ([e-mail]).

    iris1.ucis.dal.ca (129.173.18.107) has a number of GIFs from Voyager,
    Hubble, and other sources available by anonymous FTP in pub/gif (most of
    this data is also in SPACE/GIF on the Ames server). Please restrict
    access to 5pm - 8am Atlantic time.

1e) Orbital element sets

    The most recent orbital elements from the NASA Prediction Bulletins are
    carried on the Celestial BBS, [phone]. Documentation and tracking
    software are also available on this system. The Celestial BBS may be
    accessed 24 hours/day at 300, 1200, or 2400 baud using 8 data bits, 1
    stop bit, no parity.

    This information is also available via anonymous FTP from
    nachos.ssesco.com (192.55.187.18) in sat_elements/nasa/ (address
    problems with the server to [e-mail]), and is posted weekly
    to the Usenet group sci.space.

    Orbital elements for the Hubble Space Telescope are posted periodically
    to sci.astro by Mike Rose ([e-mail]), and a Macintosh program for
    interpreting this information is available by FTP from stsci.edu
    (130.167.1.2) in Software/hstmap-3.4.0.sit.hqx. This program has also
    been posted to comp.binaries.mac.

2) Periodically updated information posted to the net

    The following information is posted on the Usenet group sci.space
    (gatewayed to SPACE Digest and the BITNET SPACE-L) unless otherwise
    specified. Please remember that the individuals posting this information
    are performing a service for all net readers, and don't take up their
    time with frivolous requests.

    Ron Baalke ([e-mail]) posts frequent updates from JPL,
    Ames, and other centers on the Ulysses, Gailileo, Pioneer, Magellan,
    Landsat, and other missions to sci.space and sci.astro.

    Peter Yee ([e-mail]) posts a variety of NASA material to
    sci.space and sci.space.shuttle, including NASA Headline News (with the
    schedule for NASA SELECT), shuttle payload briefings and flight
    manifests, and KSC shuttle status reports.

    The updates posted by Ron and Peter are also available on a mailing
    list. Contact either one to be added to this list.

    Henry Spencer ([e-mail]) posts summaries of
    space-related stories in the weekly _Aviation Week and Space
    Technology_.

    Glenn Chapman ([e-mail]) posts summaries of Soviet space
    activities.

    Allen Sherzer ([e-mail]) posts a newsletter, "One Small Step for a
    Space Activist," describing current legislative activity affecting NASA
    and commercial space activities.

    TS Kelso ([e-mail]) posts orbital elements from NASA
    Prediction Bulletins.

    Mike Rose ([e-mail]) posts orbital elements for the Hubble Space
    Telescope to sci.astro.

    Cary Oler ([e-mail]) posts Solar Terrestrial reports
    (describing solar activity and its effect on the Earth) to
    rec.radio.shortwave and sci.space. The report is issued in-part from
    data released by the Space Enviroment Services Center, Boulder Colorado.
    Recent copies of this material are available by anonymous FTP from
    nic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) in
    /pub/misc/rec.radio.shortwave/solarreports (please note this site is in
    Europe, and the connection to the US is only 56KB).

    Richard Langley ([e-mail]) posts SPACEWARN Bulletins. These describe
    recent launch/orbital decay information and satellites which are useful
    for scientific activities. Recent bulletins are available by anonymous
    FTP from nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov in ANON_DIR:[000000.ACTIVE.SPX].

    Swaraj Jeyasingh ([e-mail]) has recently begun posting
    summaries of space-related news from Flight International. This focused
    more on non-US space activities than Aviation Week.

    Jonathan McDowell ([e-mail]) posts "Jonathan's Space
    Report" (covering launches, landings, reentries, status reports,
    satellite activities, etc.) to sci.space. (Despite the address, this is
    not in any way an official NASA document.)

    Harm Munk ([e-mail]) has recently begun posting summaries of
    articles in the quarterly _ESA Bulletin_ and will post summaries of
    articles in the _ESA Journal_ as well.

    John Magliacane ([e-mail]) posts "SpaceNews" (covering AMSATs,
    NOAA and other weather satellites, and other ham information) to
    rec.ham-radio and sci.space.

    Don Barry ([e-mail]) posts the Electronic Journal of
    the Astronomical Society of the Atlantic monthly to sci.astro.

3) How to obtain data from space missions

    Some of this data, primarily images, is available by modem, email, or
    anonymous FTP. The best source is the National Space Science Data
    Center. See answers (1a) and (1c) for more details.

    Most of the interest is in images from recent missions (Magellan,
    Hubble, Gailileo). No images are being posted to the net at present, and
    this is unlikely to happen in the future because of the large amount of
    data involved.

4) Why isn't data from space missions immediately available?

    Investigators associated with NASA missions are allowed exclusive access
    for one year after the data is obtained in order to give them an
    opportunity to analyze the data and publish results without being
    "scooped" by people uninvolved in the mission. However, NASA frequently
    release examples (in non-digital form, e.g. photos) to the public early
    in a mission.

    This topic has been repeatedly beaten to death on sci.astro and
    sci.space, and you should probably take it up with your Congressional
    representatives if it still seems unfair. Talking about the policy on
    the net has no chance of changing it.

5) How do I compute spacecraft orbits and trajectories?

    References that have been recommended on the net are:

    "Fundamentals of Astrodynamics" Roger Bate, Donald Mueller, Jerry White
    1971, Dover Press, 455pp $8.95 (US) (paperback). ISBN 0-486-60061-0

    NASA Spaceflight handbooks (dating from the 1960s)
    SP-33 Orbital Flight Handbook (3 parts)
    SP-34 Lunar Flight Handbook   (3 parts)
    SP-35 Planetary Flight Handbook (9 parts)

    These might be found in university aeronautics libraries or ordered
    through the US Govt. Printing Office (GPO), although more
    information would probably be needed to order them.

    M. A. Minovitch, _The Determination and Characteristics of Ballistic
    Interplanetary Trajectories Under the Influence of Multiple Planetary
    Attractions_, Technical Report 32-464, Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
    Pasadena, Calif., Oct, 1963.

    The title says all. Starts of with the basics and works its way up.
    Very good. It has a companion article:

    M. Minovitch, _Utilizing Large Planetary Perubations for the Design of
    Deep-Space Solar-Probe and Out of Ecliptic Trajectories_, Technical
    Report 32-849, JPL, Pasadena, Calif., 1965.

    You need to read the first one first to realy understand this one.
    It does include a _short_ summary if you can only find the second.

    Contact JPL for availability of these reports.

    "Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics", Peter C. Hughes 1986, John Wiley and
    Sons.

    "Celestial Mechanics: a computational guide for the practitioner",
    Lawrence G. Taff, (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1985).

    Starts with the basics (2-body problem, coordinates) and works up to
    orbit determinations, perturbations, and differential corrections.
    Taff also briefly discusses stellar dynamics including a short
    discussion of n-body problems.

    [From:
    [e-mail] (Terry Gaetz)
    [e-mail] (Lou Adornato)
    [e-mail] (Hal Mueller)]

6) How do I compute planetary positions?

    More net references:

    Van Flandern & Pullinen, _Low-Precision Formulae for Planetary
    Positions_, Astrophysical J. Supp Series, 41:391-411, 1979. Look in an
    astronomy or physics library for this; also said to be available from
    Willmann-Bell.

    Gives series to compute positions accurate to 1 arc minute for a
    period + or - 300 years from now. Pluto is included but stated to
    have an accuracy of only about 15 arc minutes.

    _Interactive Computer Ephemeris_ (from the US Naval Observatory)
    distributed on IBM-PC floppy disks, $35 (Willmann-Bell). Covers dates
    1800-2049.

    "Planetary Programs and Tables from -4000 to +2800", Bretagnon & Simon
    1986, Willmann-Bell.

    Floppy disks available separately.

    "Fundamentals of Celestial Mechanics" (2nd ed), J.M.A. Danby 1988,
    Willmann-Bell.

    A good fundamental text. Includes BASIC programs; a companion set of
    floppy disks is available separately.

    "Astronomical Formulae for Calculators" (4th ed.), J. Meeus 1988,
    Willmann-Bell.

    "Practical Astronomy with your Calculator" (3rd ed.), P. Duffett-Smith
    1988, Cambridge University Press.

    "Orbits for Amateurs with a Microcomputer", D. Tattersfield 1984,
    Stanley Thornes, Ltd.

    Includes example programs in BASIC.

    "Orbits for Amateurs II", D. Tattersfield 1987, John Wiley & Sons.

    [From:
    [e-mail] (Jim Scotti)
    [e-mail] (Ray Sterner)
    [e-mail] (Steve Grandi)
    [e-mail] (Tom Chapin)
    [e-mail] (Paul F. Dietz)]

7) What are sources for space and astronomy references?

    Crawford-Peters Aeronautica
    P.O. Box 152528
    San Diego, CA 92115
    [phone]

    An excellent source of all kinds of space publications. They publish
    a number of catalogs, including:
        Aviation and Space, 1945-1962
        Aviation and Space, 1962-1990
        Space and Related Titles

    Willmann-Bell
    P.O. Box 35025
    Richmond, Virginia 23235 USA
    (804)-320-7016 9-5 EST M-F

    Cambridge University Press
    32 East 57th Street
    New York, NY 10022

    John Wiley & Sons
    605 Third Avenue
    New York, NY 10158-0012

    Superintendent of Documents
    US Government Printing Office
    Washington, DC 20402

    Univelt, Inc.
    P. O. Box 28130
    San Diego, Ca. 92128

    Publishers for the American Astronomical Society.


8) How big a crater will an asteroid hitting the Earth make?

    Astrogeologist Gene Shoemaker proposes the following formula, based on
    studies of cratering caused by nuclear tests.

             (1/3.4)
    D = S  S  C  K  W        = crater diameter, km
     g  p  p  n

           (1/6)
    S = (G / G)            = gravity correction factor for bodies other
     g      e              than Earth.

           (1/3.4)
    S = (p / p)            = correction factor for target density p,
     p      a              p  = 1.8 gm/cm^3 for alluvium.
                   a

    C                = crater collapse factor, 1 for craters
                  < 3km in diameter, 1.3 for larger craters.

                                (1/3.4)
    K                = .074 km / (kT TNT equivalent)
     n                  empirically determined from nuclear tests

        2               19
    W = M  V  / (2 * 4.185 * 10  )
     p            = projectile energy in KT (M  and V in CGS units)
                            p

    An RMS velocity of V = 20 km/sec may be used for Earth-crossing
    asteroids.

    Under these assumptions, the body which created the Barringer Meteor
    Crater in Arizona (1.13 km diameter) would have been about 40 meters in
    diameter.

    More generally, one can use:

    Asteroid        Number of objects  Impact probability  Impact energy
    diameter (km)               (impacts/year)       (* 5*10^20 ergs)

     10                10             10^-8        10^9
      1             1 000             10^-6        10^6
      0.1           100 000             10^-4        10^3

    (after Gehrels, 1985)

    assuming simple scaling laws. Note that 5*10^20 ergs = 13 000 tons TNT
    equivalent, or the energy released by the Hiroshima A-bomb.

    References:

    Gehrels, T. 1985 Asteroids and comets. _Physics Today_ 38, 32-41. [an
    excellent general overview of the subject for the layman]

    Shoemaker, E.M. 1983 Asteroid and comet bombardment of the earth. _Ann.
    Rev. Earth Planet. Sci._ 11, 461-494. [very long and fairly
    technical but a comprehensive examination of the
     subject]

    Shoemaker, Williams, Helin, and Wolfe. Earth-crossing asteroids: orbital
    classes, collision rates with earth, and origin. In _Asteroids_, T.
    Gehrels (ed.), U. of Arizona Press (1979).

    Cunningham, C.J. 1988 _Introduction to Asteroids: The Next Frontier_
    (Richmond: Willman-Bell, Inc.) [covers all aspects of asteroid
    studies and is an excellent introduction to the subject for people
    of all experience levels. It also has a very extensive reference
    list covering essentially all of the reference material in the
    field.]

    [From:
    [e-mail] (Richard Akerman)
    [e-mail] (Jon Leech)
    (Akerman has offered to provide more information, contact him
    directly at above address or akerman@qucdnast (BITNET))]

9) How do I receive the NASA TV channel, NASA SELECT?

    NASA SELECT is broadcast by satellite. If you have access to a satellite
    dish, you can find SELECT on Satcom F2R, Transponder 13, C-Band, 72
    degrees West Longitude, Audio 6.8, Frequency 3960 MHz. F2R is stationed
    over the Atlantic, and is increasingly difficult to receive from
    California and points west. During events of special interest (e.g.
    shuttle missions), SELECT is sometimes broadcast on a second satellite
    for these viewers.

    If you can't get a satellite feed, some cable operators carry SELECT.
    It's worth asking if yours doesn't.

    The SELECT schedule is found in the NASA Headline News which is
    frequently posted to sci.space. Generally it carries press conferences,
    briefings by NASA officials, and live coverage of shuttle missions and
    planetary encounters.

10) How can I get LANDSAT and other space photos?

    You can get black-and-white 1:1M prints, negatives, or positives for
    $10, $18, $12 respectively for any Landsat data more than 2 years old
    from EDC, (Eros (Earth Resources Orbiting Satellite) Data Center). Call
    them at [phone]. You get 80 meter resolution from the MSS
    scanner, 135x180 kilometers on a picture 135x180 mm in size. I think you
    have to select one band from (green, red, near IR, second near IR), but
    I'm not sure. Digitial data is also available at higher prices.

    Transparencies of all NASA photos available to the public can be
    borrowed from the NASA photo archive; you can have copies or prints
    made.

     NASA Audio-Visual Facility
     918 North Rengstorff Ave
     Mountain View, CA  94043
     [phone]

    [From:
    [e-mail] (Willie Smith)
    [e-mail] (Mary Shafer)]

11) How can I get planetary maps?

    The USGS address for maps of the planets is:

    U.S. Geological Survey,
    Distribution Branch,
    Box 25286, Federal Center, Bldg. 41
    Denver, CO 80225

    Maps cost $2.40 to $3.10 per sheet (a few come in sets of 2 or 3 sheets).

    The best global maps of Mars based on Viking images are 1:15,000,000
    scale in 3 sheets. These maps are:

    I-1535 (2 sheets only) - relief, albedo, names
    I-1535

    I-1618 (3 sheets) - relief, names

    I-2030 (3 sheets) - relief, topographic contours

    I-1802-A,B,C (3 sheets) - geology

    There are many other maps as well: 30 sheets at 1:5,000,000 scale in
    relief, albedo, geology, photomosaic forms (not all 30 sheets available
    in all formats); 140 sheets at 1:2,000,000 scale as photomosaics of the
    whole planet, about 100 sheets of interesting sites at 1:500,000 scale
    in photomosaic format, and lots of special sheets.

    Then there are maps of Mercury, Venus, the Moon, the four Galilean
    Satellites, six moons of Saturn and five of Uranus. I will personally
    respond to requests for information on any topic relating to lunar and
    planetary maps.

    [From [e-mail] (Phil Stooke)]

12) How can I get cometary orbit data?

    The Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams and the Minor Planet
    Center announce the sixth edition of the Catalogue of Cometary Orbits in
    IAU Circular 4935. The catalogue contains 1292 entries which represent
    all known comets through November 1989 and is 96 pages long.
    Non-subscribers to the Circulars may purchase the catalogue for $15.00
    while the cost to subscribers is $7.50. The basic catalogue in ASCII
    along with a program to extract specific orbits and calculate
    ephemerides is available on MS-DOS 5.25-inch 2S2D diskette at a cost of
    $75.00 (the program requires an 8087 math coprocessor). The catalogue
    alone is also available by e-mail for $37.50 or on magnetic tape for
    $300.00.

    Except for the printed version of the catalogue, the various
    magnetic media or e-mail forms of the catalogue do not specifically
    meantion non-subscribers. It is possible that these forms of the
    catalogue may not be available to non-subscribers or that their prices
    may be more expensive than those given. Mail requests for specific
    information and orders to:

    Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams                  .
    Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory                      .
    Cambridge, MA 02138, USA                          .

    [From [e-mail] (Kenneth W Durham)]

13) How can I get the SAO stellar database?

    A copy can be ordered on magtape from the NSSDC.

    I am not aware of an online source at this time, probably due to the 40M
    size of the dataset.

14) How do I find out about careers in the space industry?

    In 1990 the Princeton Planetary Society published the first edition of
    "Space Jobs: The Guide to Careers in Space-Related Fields." The
    publication was enormously successful: we distributed 2000 copies to
    space enthusiasts across the country and even sent a few to people in
    Great Britain, Australia, and Ecuador. Due to the tremendous response to
    the first edition, PPS has published an expanded, up-to-date second
    edition of the guide.

    The 40-page publication boasts 69 listings for summer and full-time job
    opportunities as well as graduate school programs. The second edition of
    "Space Jobs" features strategies for entering the space field and
    describes positions at consulting and engineering firms, NASA, and
    non-profit organizations. The expanded special section on graduate
    schools highlights a myriad of programs ranging from space manufacturing
    to space policy. Additional sections include tips on becoming an
    astronaut and listings of NASA Space Grant Fellowships and Consortia, as
    well as NASA Centers for the Commercial Development of Space.

    To order send check or money order made payable to Princeton Planetary
    Society for $4 per copy, plus $1 per copy for shipping and handling
    (non-US customers send an International Money Order payable in US
    dollars) to:

    Princeton Planetary Society
    315 West College
    Princeton University
    Princeton, NJ  08544

    [From [e-mail] (Marc Wayne Mcconley)]

15) Tell me about map projections and spherical trignometry

    Two easy-to-find sources of map projections are the "Encyclopaedia
    Brittanica", (particularly the older volumes) and a tutorial appearing
    in _Graphics Gems_ (Academic Press, 1990). The latter was written with
    simplicity of exposition and suitability of digital computation in mind
    (spherical trig formulae also appear, as do digitally-plotted examples).

    ----

    More than you ever cared to know about map projections is in John
    Snyder's USGS publication "Map Projections--A Working Manual", USGS
    Professional Paper 1395. This contains detailed descriptions of 32
    projections, with history, features, projection formulas (for both
    spherical earth and ellipsoidal earth), and numerical test cases. It's a
    neat book, all 382 pages worth. This one's $20.

    You might also want the companion volume, by Snyder and Philip Voxland,
    "An Album of Map Projections", USGS Professional Paper 1453. This
    contains less detail on about 130 projections and variants. Formulas are
    in the back, example plots in the front. $14, 250 pages.

    You can order these 2 ways. The cheap, slow way is direct from USGS:
    Earth Science Information Center, US Geological Survey, 507 National
    Center, Reston, VA 22092. 1-800-USA-MAPS. They can quote you a price and
    tell you where to send your money. Expect a 6-8 week turnaround time.

    A much faster way (about 1 week) is through Timely Discount Topos, (303)
    469-5022, 9769 W. 119th Drive, Suite 9, Broomfield, CO 80021. Call them
    and tell them what you want. They'll quote a price, you send a check,
    and then they go to USGS Customer Service Counter and pick it up for
    you. Add about a $3-4 service charge, plus shipping.

    ----

    Some references for spherical trignometry are:

    _Spherical Astronomy_, W.M. Smart, Cambridge U. Press, 1931.

    _A Compendium of Spherical Astronomy_, S. Newcomb, Dover, 1960.

    _Spherical Astronomy_, R.M. Green, Cambridge U. Press., 1985 (update
    of Smart).

    _Spherical Astronomy_, E Woolard and G.Clemence, Academic
    Press, 1966.

    [From:
    [e-mail] (Alan Wm Paeth)
    [e-mail] (Hal Mueller)
    [e-mail] (Timothy Banks)]

16) What space-related mailing lists are available and how do I get on them?

    SPACE Digest has a bidirectional gateway to sci.space, so don't request
    it unless you cannot get netnews. Email [e-mail] to
    join.

    SPACE Magazine is a distillation of interesting material from SPACE
    Digest which may be of interest to readers tiring of the signal-to-noise
    level in sci.space. Email [e-mail] to join.

    [From [e-mail] (Todd L. Masco)]

    The space-investors mailing list is for information relevant to
    investing in space-related companies. Email Vincent Cate
    ([e-mail]) to join.

    The space-tech mailing list is for more technical discussion of space
    topics; discussion has included esoteric propulsion technologies,
    asteroid capture, starflight, orbital debris removal, etc. Email to
    [e-mail] to join.

    As a general note, please mail to the *request* address to get off a
    mailing list. SPACE Digest, for example, relays many inappropriate
    'please remove me from this list' messages which are sent to the list
    address rather than the request address.

17) What is the Dial-A-Shuttle service and how do I use it?

    Dial-a-Shuttle is a pay-per-call (900) service run by the National Space
    Society during shuttle missions. Call 24 bours a day from two hours
    before launch to the post-landing press conference. Include live
    communications between the astronauts and Mission Control and special
    updates and interviews.

    $2/first minute + $0.45/additional minutes.

    If you can get NASA SELECT TV, it's free and also offers near-continuous
    service during shuttle missions.

18) What upcoming space science/planetary missions are scheduled?

    Galileo - Jupiter orbiter and atmosphere probe. In transit to Jupiter.

       Galileo Schedule
       ----------------
       10/18/89 - Launch from Space Shuttle
       02/09/90 - Venus Flyby
       10/**/90 - Venus Data Playback
       12/08/90 - 1st Earth Flyby
       05/01/91 - High Gain Antenna Unfurled
       07/91 - 06/92 - 1st Asteroid Belt Passage
       10/29/91 - Asteroid Gaspra Flyby
       12/08/92 - 2nd Earth Flyby
       05/93 - 11/93 - 2nd Asteroid Belt Passage
       08/28/93 - Asteroid Ida Flyby
       07/02/95 - Probe Separation
       07/09/95 - Orbiter Deflection Maneuver
       12/95 - 10/97 - Orbital Tour of Jovian Moons
       12/07/95 - Jupiter/Io Encounter
       07/18/96 - Ganymede
       09/28/96 - Ganymede
       12/12/96 - Callisto
       01/23/97 - Europa
       02/28/97 - Ganymede
       04/22/97 - Europa
       05/31/97 - Europa
       10/05/97 - Jupiter Magnetotail Exploration

    ----

    Mars Observer - Mars orbiter including 1.5 m/pixel resolution camera.
    Launch scheduled 9/16/1992 aboard Titan III; arrival in 8/93, operations
    start 11/93 for one martian year (687 days).

    ----

    CRAF (Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby) will meet with the
    Comet Kopff near the orbit of Jupiter and travel along side it for at
    least three years. The planned cometary penetrator portion of the probe
    was recently dropped for budgetary reasons.

     Key Scheduled Dates for the CRAF Mission
     --------------------------------------------
       08/22/95 - Titan IV/Centaur Launch
       01/22/98 - 449 Hamburga Asteroid Flyby
       08/14/00 - Comet Kopff Arrival
       08/20/01 - CRAF Penetrator to Kopff
       03/31/03 - End of Primary Mission

    ----

    Cassini - Saturn orbiter and Titan atmosphere probe.

     Key Scheduled Dates for the Cassini Mission (EJGA Trajectory)
     -------------------------------------------------------------
       08/22/96 - Titan IV/Centaur Launch
       03/29/97 - 66 Maja Asteroid Flyby
       06/08/98 - Earth Gravity Assist
       02/06/00 - Jupiter Gravity Assist
       12/06/02 - Saturn Arrival
       03/27/03 - Titan Probe Release
       03/29/03 - Orbiter Deflection Maneuver
       04/18/03 - Titan Probe Entry
       06/30/03 - Iapetus Flyby
       05/20/04 - Dione Flyby
       09/12/04 - Enceladus Flyby
       08/14/05 - Iapetus Flyby
       12/31/06 - End of Primary Mission

    ----

    Other space science missions (note: this schedule was posted by Ron
    Baalke in 11/89 and needs to be updated. The shuttle missions have been
    rescheduled):

    1991 Missions
    o Tethered Satellite System [Mar 1992 STS-46 TSS-1]
        January, shuttle, attached by tether to the shuttle bay, system
        will study electrical fields and gas clouds in space while
        demonstrating the capabilities of deploying and retrieving a
        tethered satellite.

    o International Microgravity Lab [Dec 1991 STS-42 IML-1]
        February, shuttle lab will set up systems for life-science
        studies.

    o Atmospheric Lab for Applications and Science (ATLAS) [Apr 1992 STS-45]
        May, shuttle, this manned lab will study variations in the solar
        spectrum and Earth's atmosphere.

    o Spacelab [May 1991 STS-40 SLS-1; and others]
        July aboard shuttle, carry out low-gravity experiments.

    o Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer [rocket]
        August, rocket, this satellite will study the evolution and
        population of stars and galaxies.

    o Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) [Nov 1991 STS-48 UARS]
        October, shuttle launch, will study upper atmosphere chemistry.

    o Small Explorer-1 [rocket]
        November, first in a series of rocket launches to study space
        physics and atmospheric science.

    1992 Missions
    o Space Radar Lab [4th quarter 1993]
        May shuttle, gather radar images of Earth's surface.

    o TOPEX/Poseidon [rocket]
        June rocket, TOPEX will study the relationship of ocean systems
        to climate.

    o Mars Observer [rocket]
        September by rocket, to study Mars' climate and surface.

    o Shuttle High-Energy Astrophysics Lab [? not on manifest]
        September, on-board shuttle study of space X-ray sources.

    1993 Missions
    o Gravity Probe [? not on manifest]
        June, shuttle launch, prototype mission to test Einstein's
        theory that space is curved.

    o Polar Orbiting Satellite [? not on manifest]
        June, measure solar wind and ions and gases surrounding the
        Earth.

    o Waves in Space Plasma [1st quarter 1995]
        November, shuttle attached antennae that will send out radio
        waves to measure the ionosphere.

    Proposed Missions:
    o Advanced X-ray Astronomy Facility (AXAF)
        Possible launch from shuttle in 1995, AXAF is a space
        observatory with a high resolution telescope. It would orbit for
        15 years and study the mysteries and fate of the universe.

    o Earth Observing System (EOS)
        Possible launch in 1997, 1 of 6 US orbiting space platforms to
        provide long-term data (15 years) of Earth systems science
        including planetary evolution.

    o Mercury Observer
        Possible 1997 launch.

    o Lunar Observer
        Possible 1997 launch, would be sent into a long-term lunar
        orbit. The Observer, from 60 miles above the moon's poles, would
        survey characteristics to provide a global context for the
        results from the Apollo program.

    o Space Infrared Telescope Facility
        Possible launch by shuttle in 1999, this is the 4th element of
        the Great Observatories program. A free-flying observatory with
        a lifetime of 5 to 10 years, it would observe new comets and
        other primitive bodies in the outer solar system, study cosmic
        birth formation of galaxies, stars and planets and distant
        infrared-emitting galaxies

    o Mars Rover Sample Return (MRSR)
        Robotics rover would return samples of Mars' atmosphere and
        surface to Earch for analysis. Possible launch dates: 1996 for
        imaging orbiter, 2001 for rover.

    o Fire and Ice
        Possible launch in 2001, will use a gravity assist flyby of
        Earth in 2003, and use a final gravity assist from Jupiter in
        2005, where the probe will split into its Fire and Ice
        components: The Fire probe will journey into the Sun, taking
        measurements of our star's upper atmosphere until it is
        vaporized by the intense heat. The Ice probe will head out
        towards Pluto, reaching the tiny world for study by 2016.

    [From: NASA fact sheets posted by Ron Baalke]

19) Tell me about space-related organizations (L-5, NSS, SSI, etc.) and
    magazines covering space activities.

    NSS - the National Space Society, formed by the merger of the L-5
    Society and the National Space Institute founded by Von Braun. NSS
    is a pro-space group distinguished by its network of local chapters.
    Supports a general agenda of space development and man-in-space,
    including the NASA space station. Publishes _Ad Astra_, a monthly
    glossy magazine, and runs Shuttle launch tours, Dial-A-Shuttle and
    Space Hotline telephone services. A major sponsor of the annual
    space development conference. Associated with Spacecause and
    Spacepac, political lobbying organizations.

    Membership $18 (youth/senior) $30 (regular).

    National Space Society
    Membership Department
    P.O. Box 96651
    Washington, DC 20077-7475

    SSI - the Space Studies Institute, founded by Dr. Gerard O'Neill.
    Publishes _SSI Update_, a bimonthly newsletter describing
    work-in-progress. Conducts a research program including
    mass-drivers, lunar mining processes and simulants, composites from
    lunar materials, solar power satellites. Runs the biennial Princeton
    Conference on Space Manufacturing. Developing a Lunar Polar Probe
    for 1992 launch to geochemically map the entire moon and search for
    volatiles which may be frozen at the poles.

    Membership $25/year. Senior Associates ($100/year and up)
        fund most SSI research.

    Space Studies Institute
    258 Rosedale Road
    PO Box 82
    Princeton, NJ 08540

    Planetary Society - founded by Carl Sagan. The largest space advocacy
    group. Publishes _Planetary Report_, a monthly glossy, and has
    supported SETI hardware development financially. Agenda is primarily
    support of space science, recently amended to include an
    international manned mission to Mars.

    The Planetary Society
    65 North Catalina Avenue
    Pasadena, California 91106

    Membership $35/year.

    BIS - British Interplanetary Society
    Probably the oldest pro-space group, BIS publishes two excellent
    journals: _Spaceflight_, covering current space activities, and the
    _Journal of the BIS_, containing technical papers on space
    activities from near-term space probes to interstellar missions. BIS
    has published a design study for an interstellar probe called
    _Daedalus_.

    British Interplanetary Society
    27/29 South Lambeth Road
    London SW8 1SZ
    ENGLAND

    No dues information available at present.

    Air & Space / Smithsonian (bimonthly magazine)
    Box 53261
    Boulder, CO 80332-3261
    $18/year US, $24/year international

    Final Frontier (mass-market bimonthly magazine)
    History, book reviews, general-interest articles (e.g. "The 7
    Wonders of the Solar System", "Everything you always wanted to know
    about military space programs", etc.)

    Final Frontier Publishing Co.
    PO Box 534
    Mt. Morris, IL 61054-7852
    $14.95/year US, $19.95 Canada, $23.95 elsewhere

    Space News (weekly magazine) - covers US civil and military space
    programs. Said to have good political and business but spotty
    technical coverage.

    Space News
    Springfield VA 22159-0500
    703-642-7330
    $75/year, may have discounts for NSS/SSI members

    Space Flight News (monthly magazine) - covers current space activities
    (all nations) in depth and has good historical series on topics like
    early space capsules, cosmonauts, etc. Available by newsstand in the
    US (with several months shipping delay), only by mail elsewhere.

    Subscription Dept.
    Space Flight News Ltd.
    PO Box 100
    Stamford, Lincs, PE9IXQ
    ENGLAND
    #16.20 pounds/year UK and international (surface)
    airmail: #25/year (Europe) #26 (Middle East) #29 (North America) #31
        (Australia, NZ, Japan)

    Journal of the Astronautical Sciences and Space Times - publications of
    the American Astronautical Society. No details.

    AAS Business Office
    6352 Rolling Mill Place, Suite #102
    Springfield, Va. 22152
    703-866-0020

    GPS World (semi-monthly) - reports on current and new uses of GPS, news
    and analysis of the system and policies affecting it, and technical
    and product issues shaping GPS applications.

    GPS World
    859 Willamette St.
    P.O. Box 10460
    Eugene, OR  97440-2460
    503-343-1200

    Free to qualified individuals; write for free sample copy.

    Other groups: (anyone who would care to write up descriptions of the
    following groups for inclusion in the answer is encouraged to do
    so.)

    SEDS - Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
    US Space Foundation
    Spacecause
    Spacepac
    AIAA
    AAS

20) How do I perform N-body simulations efficiently?

    "Computer Simulation Using Particles"
    R. W. Hockney and J. W. Eastwood
    (Adam Hilger; Bristol and Philadelphia; 1988)

    "The rapid evaluation of potential fields in particle systems",
    L. Greengard
    MIT Press, 1988.

        A breakthrough O(N) simulation method. Has been parallelized.

    L. Greengard and V. Rokhlin, "A fast algorithm for particle
    simulations," Journal of Computational Physics, 73:325-348, 1987.

    "An O(N) Algorithm for Three-dimensional N-body Simulations", MSEE
    thesis, Feng Zhao, MIT AILab Technical Report 995, 1987

    "Galactic Dynamics"
    J. Binney & S. Tremaine
    (Princeton U. Press; Princeton; 1987)

        Includes an O(N^2) FORTRAN code written by Aarseth, a pioneer in
        the field.

    Hierarchical (N log N) tree methods are described in these papers:

    A. W. Appel, "An Efficient Program for Many-body Simulation", SIAM
    Journal of Scientific and Statistical Computing, Vol. 6, p. 85,
    1985.

    Barnes & Hut, "A Hierarchical O(N log N) Force-Calculation
    Algorithm", Nature, V324 # 6096, 4-10 Dec 1986.

    L. Hernquist, "Hierarchical N-body Methods", Computer Physics
    Communications, Vol. 48, p. 107, 1988.

    [e-mail] has offered to discuss these topics at
    greater length.

    [From:
        [e-mail]
        [e-mail] (Terry Gaetz)]

21) How can I find out more about the LLNL "Great Exploration" (manned Mars
    mission and large inflatable space station) proposal?

    This topic is under active discussion in sci.space at present.
    Also see:

    Avation Week Jan 22, 1990 for an article on the overall Great
    Exploration

    NASA Assessment of the LLNL Space Exploration Proposal and LLNL
    Responces by Dr. Lowell Wood LLNL Doc. No. SS 90-9. Their address
    is: PO Box 808 Livermore, CA 94550 (the NASA authors are unknown).

    Briefing slides of a presentation to the NRC last December may be
    available. Write LLNL and ask.

    Conceptual Design Study for Modular Inflatable Space Structures, a
    final report for purchase order B098747 by ILC Dover INC. I don't
    know how to get this except from LLNL or ILC Dover. I don't have an
    address for ILC.

    [From [e-mail] (Allen W. Sherzer)]

22) Will there be launchings/landings during <period>? How do I get in to
    watch them?

    Shuttle operations are discussed in the Usenet group sci.space.shuttle.
    NASA shuttle status reports are posted in a timely fashion.

    The Kennedy Space Center Public Affairs Office has a number you can call
    for a recording which gives launch dates for the year ahead. Call
    [phone]. Remember that launches may often be postponed, and plan
    accordingly.

    [We could use appropriate tips on where and how to see a launch, for
    KSC, Canaveral Air Station, and Vandenburg Air Force Base. Tourist tips
    should be archived somewhere, if not circulated as FAQ's. What the heck,
    throw in Kourou, Baikonur, and any others as well.]

    There are two ways to see shuttle landings at Edwards AFB, listed in
    order of restrictiveness of access.

     1. The public viewing area on the lakebed. Take Hwy 14 to Avenue F
         and follow the signs. This area is opened about 2 days before
         the scheduled touchdown. The viewing area is an unimproved area
         so don't expect many amenities. I think that there are sanitary
         facilities and that food and drinks can be purchased. It's
         suggested that you bring food and water Nothing is required for
         access to this area. (I've never been to this area, so I can't
         speak from personal knowledge.)

     2. The hillside viewing area. This is on the hillside, just above
         Ames-Dryden, and requires a special pass. This pass is good for
         one vehicle, with any number of passengers. You can't enter the
         Ames-Dryden complex but you can walk down the hill to the
         cafeteria and the giftshop, etc. More amenities, including
         radio transmissions from the Shuttle and JSC. Some of us
         believe that this area has the BEST view of the landing.

    To obtain a hillside pass, write to:

     NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility
     Attn:    Ms. Cei Kratz,
     Public Affairs Office
     P.O. Box 273
     Edwards, CA  92523-5000

    Do this early, because there is a limited amount of space. If you get
    these and then discover that you can't attend, please try to pass them
    on to someone else who can use them. Incidently, there is _no_ charge.

    Come see the Shuttle land--it's great.

    Wear warm clothes! Forget the myth that the desert is always hot, it's
    cool to cold when the sun's down. If it's much warmer, it's because the
    wind is blowing.

    Hillside Guests will be sitting up on metal bleachers. The portions of
    their anatomy in contact with the bleachers (feet and seat) may get
    _real_ cold.

    [From:
    [e-mail] (William Higgins)
    [e-mail] (Mary Shafer)]

23) What are the risks of RTG power sources for space probes?

    There has been extensive discussion on this topic in sci.space, sparked
    by attempts to block the Galileo and Ulysses launches on grounds of the
    plutonium thermal sources being dangerous. Numerous studies claim that
    even in worst-case scenarios (shuttle explosion during launch, or
    accidental reentry at interplanetary velocities), the risks are
    extremely small. To make your own informed judgement, some references
    you may wish to pursue are:

    A good review of the technical facts and issues is given by Daniel
    Salisbury in "Radiation Risk and Planetary Exploration-- The RTG
    Controversy," *Planetary Report*, May-June 1987, pages 3-7. Another good
    article, which also reviews the events preceding Galileo's launch,
    "Showdown at Pad 39-B," by Robert G. Nichols, appeared in the November
    1989 issue of *Ad Astra*. (Both magazines are published by pro-space
    organizations, the Planetary Society and the National Space Society
    respectively.)

    Gordon L Chipman, Jr., "Advanced Space Nuclear Systems" (AAS 82-261), in
    *Developing the Space Frontier*, edited by Albert Naumann and Grover
    Alexander, Univelt, 1983, p. 193-213.

    "Hazards from Plutonium Toxicity", by Bernard L. Cohen, Health Physics,
    Vol 32 (may) 1977, page 359-379.

    NUS Corporation, Safety Status Report for the Ulysses Mission: Risk
    Analysis (Book 1). Document number is NUS 5235; there is no GPO #;
    published Jan 31, 1990.

    NASA Office of Space Science and Applications, *Final Environmental
    Impact Statement for the Ulysses Mission (Tier 2)*, (no serial number or
    GPO number, but probably available from NTIS or NASA) June 1990.

    [From
       [e-mail] (William Higgins)
       [e-mail] (Kenneth Ng)
       [e-mail] (Peter Scott)
       [e-mail] (William S. Higgins)]

24) How do I interpret the FITS image format?

    Preferably, use the ppm package (see the comp.graphics FAQ) to read FITS
    images. If you really need to know this, at present a draft standard
    document describing FITS is available by anonymous FTP from
    nssfca.gsfc.nasa.gov (128.183.10.4). Get ANON_DIR:[FITS]README.;1 to
    begin with.

25) Where can I get/find out how to build spacecraft models?

    "Space in Miniature #2: Gemini" by
    Michael J. Mackowski
    1621 Waterwood Lane, St. Louis, MO 63146
    $7.50

    Only 34pp but enough pictures & diagrams to interest more than just the
    modelling community, I feel.

    Marco's Miniatures of Dracut, Mass. have produced a 1/144 Skylab in an
    edition of 500 & a 1/48 Lunar Rover (same scale as Monogram and Revell
    Lunar Modules) in a similar edition. Prices are $45 for Skylab, $24 for
    LRV. Check with them for postage etc. I have no connection with them,
    but have found their service to be good and their stock of rare/old kits
    *is* impressive. Prices range from reasonable ($35 for Monogram 1/32
    scale Apollo CSM with cutaway details) to spectacular ($145 for Airfix
    Vostok).

     Four Star Collectibles
     P.O. Box 658
     Dracut Mass 01826, USA.

     [phone].


    Voyager, HST, Viking, Lunar Rover etc. kits from:

    Lunar Models
    5120 Grisham
    Rowlett, Texas 75088
    (214)-475-4230, 9-5 CST

    As reviewed by Bob Kaplow:

    Peter Alway's book "Scale Model Rocketry" is now available. Mine
    arrived in the mail earlier this week. To get your own copy, send
    $19.95 + $2.50 s/h ($22.45 total) to:

            Peter Alway
            2830 Pittsfield
            Ann Arbor, MI 48104

    The book includes information on collecting scale data, construction
    of scale models, and several handy tables. Appendicies include plans
    for 3 sport scale models, a 1:9.22 D Region Tomahawk (BT50), a 1/40
    V-2 (BT60), and a 1/9.16 Aerobee 150A (BT55/60).

    I've only begun to study the book, but it certainly will be a
    valuable data source for many modellers. Most vehicles include
    several paragraphs of text describing the missions flown by the
    rocket, various specs including "NAR" engine classification, along
    with a dimensioned drawing, color layouts & paint pattern, and a
    black & white photograph.

    The vehicles include are the Aerobee 150A, Aerobee 300, Aerobee Hi,
    Arcas, Asp, Astrobee 1500, Astrobee D, Atlas Centaur, Atlas-Agena,
    Atlas-Score, Baby WAC, D-Region Tomahawk, Deacon Rockoon, Delta B,
    Delta E, Gemini-Titan II, Iris, Javelin, Juno 1, Juno 2, Little Joe
    1, Little Joe 2, Mercury-Atlas, Mercury-Redstone, Nike-Apache,
    Nike-Asp, Nike-Cajun, Nike-Deacon, Nike-Tomahawk, RAM B, Saturn 1
    Block 1, Saturn 1 Block 2, Saturn 1B, Saturn 5, Scout, Standard
    Aerobee, Terrapin, Thor-Able, Titan III C, Titan III E, Trailblazer
    1, V-2, Vanguard, Viking Model 1, Viking Model 2, and Wac Corporal.

    [From:
    [e-mail] (Dr. Nick Watkins)
    [e-mail] (R. Michael Jungclas)]

26) How can I find out more about esoteric propulsion schemes
    (solar sails, laser launchers, fusion, antimatter, etc.)?

    [ This needs up-to-date references on ion drives, lightsails,
    etc., but it's a start ]

    FUSION:

    "A Laser Fusion Rocket for Interplanetary Propulsion", Roderick Hyde,
    LLNL report UCRL-88857. (Contact the Technical Information Dept. at
    Livermore)

        Fusion Pellet design: Fuel selection. Energy loss mechanisms.
        Pellet compression metrics. Thrust Chamber: Magnetic nozzle.
        Shielding. Tritium breeding. Thermal modeling. Fusion Driver
        (lasers, particle beams, etc): Heat rejection. Vehicle Summary:
        Mass estimates. Vehicle Performance: Interstellar travel
        required exhaust velocities at the limit of fusion's capability.
        Interplanetary missions are limited by power/weight ratio.
        Trajectory modeling. Typical mission profiles. References,
        including the 1978 report in JBIS, "Project Daedalus", and
        several on ICF and driver technology.

    ANTIMATTER:

    "Antiproton Annihilation Propulsion", Robert Forward
        AFRPL TR-85-034 from the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory
        (AFRPL/XRX, Stop 24, Edwards Air Force Base, CA 93523-5000).

        Technical study on making, holding, and using antimatter for
        near-term (30-50 years) propulsion systems. Excellent
        bibliography. Forward is the best-known proponent
        of antimatter.

        This also may be available as UDR-TR-85-55 from the contractor,
        the University of Dayton Research Institute, and DTIC AD-A160
        from the Defense Technical Information Center, Defense Logistics
        Agency, Cameron Station, Alexandria, VA 22304-6145. And it's
        also available from the NTIS, with yet another number.

    "Advanced Space Propulsion Study, Antiproton and Beamed Power
        Propulsion", Robert Forward

        AFAL TR-87-070 from the Air Force Astronautics Laboratory, DTIC
        #AD-A189 218.

        Summarizes the previous paper, goes into detail on beamed power
        systems including " 1) pellet, microwave, and laser beamed power
        systems for intersteller transport; 2) a design for a
        near-relativistic laser-pushed lightsail using near-term laser
        technology; 3) a survey of laser thermal propulsion, tether
        transportation systems, antiproton annihilation propulsion,
        exotic applications of solar sails, and laser-pushed
        interstellar lightsails; 4) the status of antiproton
        annihilation propulsion as of 1986; and 5) the prospects for
        obtaining antimatter ions heavier than antiprotons." Again,
        there is an extensive bibliography.

        "Application of Antimatter - Electric Power to Interstellar
        Propulsion", G. D. Nordley, JBIS Interstellar Studies issue of
        6/90.

    NUCLEAR ROCKETS (FISSION)

    "Technical Notes on Nuclear Rockets", by Bruce W. Knight and Donald
    Kingsbury, unpublished. May be available from: Donald Kingsbury,
    Math Dept., McGill University, PO Box 6070, Station A, Montreal,
    Quebec M3C 3G1 Canada.


    BUSSARD RAMJETS AND RELATED METHODS

    G. L. Matloff and A. J. Fennelly, "Interstellar Applications and
    Limitations of Several Electrostatic/Electromagnetic Ion Collection
    Techniques", JBIS 30 (1977):213-222

    N. H. Langston, "The Erosion of Interstellar Drag Screens", JBIS 26
    (1973): 481-484

    C. Powell, "Flight Dynamics of the Ram-Augmented Interstellar
    Rocket", JBIS 28 (1975):553-562

    A. R. Martin, "The Effects of Drag on Relativistic Spacefight", JBIS
    25 (1972):643-652

    MASS DRIVERS (COILGUNS, RAILGUNS)

    IEEE Transactions on Magnetics (for example, v. 27 no. 1, January
    1991 issue). Every so often they publish the proceedings of the
    Symposium on Electromagnetic Launcher Technology, including hundreds
    of papers on the subject. It's a good look at the state of the art,
    though perhaps not a good tutorial for beginners. Anybody know some
    good review papers?

    SOLAR SAILS

    Starsailing. Solar Sails and Interstellar Travel. Louis Friedman,
    Wiley, New York, 1988, 146 pp., paper $9.95. (Not very technical,
    but an adequate overview.)

    TETHERS

    _Tethers and Asteroids for Artificial Gravity Assist in the Solar
    System,_ by P.A. Penzo and H.L. Mayer., _Journal of Spacecraft
    and Rockets_ for Jan-Feb 1986.

        Details how a spacecraft with a kevlar tether of the same mass
        can change its velocity by up to slightly less than 1 km/sec. if
        it is travelling under that velocity wrt a suitable asteroid.

    GENERAL

    "Alternate Propulsion Energy Sources", Robert Forward
        AFPRL TR-83-067.

        Keywords: Propulsion energy, metastable helium, free-radical
        hydrogen, solar pumped (sic) plasmas, antiproton annihiliation,
        ionospheric lasers, solar sails, perforated sails, microwave
        sails, quantum fluctuations, antimatter rockets... It's a wide,
        if not deep, look at exotic energy sources which might be useful
        for space propulsion. It also considers various kinds of laser
        propulsion, metallic hydrogen, tethers, and unconventional
        nuclear propulsion. The bibliographic information, pointing to
        the research on all this stuff, belongs on every daydreamer's
        shelf.

    Future Magic. Dr. Robert L. Forward, Avon, 1988. ISBN 0-380-89814-4.

        Nontechnical discussion of tethers, antimatter, gravity control,
        and even futher-out topics.

    [From:
    [e-mail] (Bill.Higgins)
    [e-mail] (Paul Blase)
    [e-mail] (Phil Fraering)
    [e-mail] (Maury Markowitz)
    [e-mail] (Ted Anderson)]

27) References for spy satellites

    *Deep Black*, by William Burrows;
    "best modern general book for spysats."

    1) A Base For Debate: The US Satellite Station at Nurrungar, Des Ball,
    Allen and Unwin Australia, 1987 ISBN 0 04 355027 4 [ covers DSP early
    warning satellites]

    2) Pine Gap: Australia and the US Geostationary Signals intelligence
    satellite program, Des Ball, Allen and Unwin Australia, 1988 ISBN 0 04
    363002 5. [covers RHYOLITE/AQUACADE, CHALET/VORTEX, and MAGNUM signals
    intelligence satellites]

    3) Guardians: Strategic Reconnaissance Satellites, Curtis Peebles, 1987,
    Ian Allan, ISBN 0 7110 17654 [ good on MOL, military Salyut and Soviet
    satellites, less so on others. Tends to believe what he's told so flaws
    in discussion of DSP, RHYOLITE et al..]

    4) America's Secret Eyes In Space: The Keyhole Spy Satellite Program,
    Jeffrey Richelson, 1990, Harper and Row, ISBN 0 88730 285 8 [ in a class
    of its own, *the* historical reference on the KEYHOLE satellites]

    5) Secret Sentries in Space, Philip J Klass, 1971.
    "long out of print but well worth a look"

    [From:
    [e-mail] (Nick Watkins)
    [e-mail] (Bill.Higgins)]

Appendix A) Constants and Equations

    This list was originally compiled by Dale Greer. Additions would be
    appreciated.

    Numbers in parentheses are approximations that will serve for most
    blue-skying purposes.

    Numbers

    7726 m/s     (8000)  -- Earth orbital velocity at 300 km altitude
    3075 m/s     (3000)  -- Earth orbital velocity at 35786 km (geosync)
    6378 km         (6400)  -- Mean radius of Earth
    1738 km         (1700)  -- Mean radius of Moon
    5.974e24 kg     (6e24)  -- Mass of Earth
    7.348e22 kg     (7e22)  -- Mass of Moon
    1.989e30 kg     (2e30)  -- Mass of Sun
    3.986e14 m^3/s^2 (4e14)  -- Gravitational constant times mass of Earth
    4.903e12 m^3/s^2 (5e12)  -- Gravitational constant times mass of Moon
    1.327e20 m^3/s^2 (13e19) -- Gravitational constant times mass of Sun
    384401 km     ( 4e5)  -- Mean Earth-Moon distance
    1.496e11 m     (15e10) -- Mean Earth-Sun distance (Astronomical Unit)

    1 megaton (MT) TNT = about 4.2E22 ergs or the energy equivalent of
    100 grams of matter. Ref: J.R Williams, "The Energy Level of
    Things", Air Force Special Weapons Center (ARDC), Kirtland Air Force
    Base, New Mexico, 1963. Also see "The Effects of Nuclear Weapons",
    compiled by S. Glasstone and P.J. Dolan, published by the US
    Department of Defense (obtain from the GPO).

    Equations

    Where d is distance, v is velocity, a is acceleration, t is time.

    For constant acceleration
        d = d0 + vt + .5at^2
        v = v0 + at
      v^2 = 2ad

    For circular Keplerian orbits, where u is gravitational constant, a is
        semimajor axis of orbit, P is period.
        v^2 = u/a
        P    = 2pi/(Sqrt(u/a^3))

    Classical rocket equation (dv = change in velocity, ve = exhaust
      velocity, x = reaction mass, m1 = rocket mass excluding reaction
      mass):

        dv = ve * ln((m1 + x) / m1)

    Miscellaneous
        f=ma    -- Force is mass times acceleration
        w=fd    -- Work (energy) is force times distance

    Atmospheric density varies as exp(-mgz/kT) where z is altitude, m is
    molecular weight in kg of air, g is acceleration of gravity, T is
    temperature, k is Bolztmann's constant. Up to 100 km,

        d = d0*exp(-z*1.42e-4)

    where d is density, d0 is density at 0km, is approximately true, so

        d@12km (40000 ft) = d0*.18
        d@9 km (30000 ft) = d0*.27
        d@6 km (20000 ft) = d0*.43
        d@3 km (10000 ft) = d0*.65

            CONSTANTS

    6.62618e-34 J-s  (7e-34) -- Plank's Constant "h"
    1.054589e-34 J-s (1e-34) -- Plank's Constant / (2 * PI), "h bar"
    1.3807e-23 J/K    (1.4e-23) - Boltzmann's Constant "k"
    5.6697e-8 W/m^2/K (6e-8) -- Stephan-Boltzman Constant "sigma"
    6.673e-11 N m^2/kg^2 (7e-11) -- Newton's Gravitational Constant "G"
    0.0029 m K     (3e-3)  -- Wien's Constant "sigma(W)"
    3.827e26 W     (4e26)  -- Luminosity of Sun
    1370 W / m^2     (1400)  -- Solar Constant (intensity at 1 AU)
    6.96e8 m     (7e8)     -- radius of Sun
    1738 km         (2e3)     -- radius of Moon
    299792458 m/s      (3e8)  -- speed of light in vacuum "c"
    9.46053e15 m      (1e16) -- light year
    206264.806 AU      (2e5)  -- \
    3.2616 light years (3)     --  --> parsec
    3.0856e16 m     (3e16)  -- /


Black Hole radius (also called Schwarzschild Radius):

    2GM/c^2, where G is Newton's Grav Constant, M is mass of BH,
        c is speed of light


    Things to add (somebody look them up!)
    Basic rocketry numbers & equations
    Aerodynamical stuff
    Energy to put a pound into orbit or accelerate to interstellar
        velocities.
    Plane change delta-vee formula?
    Non-circular cases? WSH]
    Atmosphere scale height for various planets.

    [From [e-mail] (Dale M. Greer),
    [e-mail] (Wayne Hayes),
    and others]

Appendix B) How to become an astronaut

    Q. How do I become an astronaut?

    A. We will assume you mean a NASA astronaut, since it's probably impossible
    for a Westerner to get into the Soviet program, and the other nations
    have so few astronauts (and fly even fewer) that you're better off
    hoping to win a lottery.  Becoming a shuttle pilot requires lots
    of fast-jet experience, which means a military flying career; forget
    that unless you want to do it anyway.  So you want to become a
    shuttle "mission specialist".

    If you aren't a US citizen, become one; that is a must.  After that,
    the crucial thing to remember is that the demand for such jobs vastly
    exceeds the supply.  NASA's problem is not finding qualified people,
    but thinning the lineup down to manageable length.  It is not enough
    to be qualified; you must avoid being *dis*qualified for any reason,
    many of them in principle quite irrelevant to the job.

    Get a Ph.D.  Specialize in something that involves getting your hands
    dirty with equipment, not just paper and pencil.  Forget computer
    programming entirely; it will be done from the ground for the fore-
    seeable future.  Degree(s) in one field plus work experience in
    another seems to be a frequent winner.

    Be in good physical condition, with good eyesight.  (DO NOT get a
    radial keratomy or similar hack to improve your vision; nobody knows
    what sudden pressure changes would do to RKed eyes, and long-term
    effects are poorly understood.    For that matter, avoid any other
    significant medical unknowns.)    If you can pass a jet-pilot physical,
    you should be okay; if you can't, your chances are poor.

    Practise public speaking, and be conservative and conformist in
    appearance and actions; you've got a tough selling job ahead, trying
    to convince a cautious, conservative selection committee that you
    are better than hundreds of other applicants.  (And, also, that you
    will be a credit to NASA after you are hired:  public relations is
    a significant part of the job, and NASA's image is very prim and
    proper.)  The image you want is squeaky-clean workaholic yuppie.
    Remember also that you will need a security clearance at some point,
    and Security considers everybody guilty until proven innocent.
    Keep your nose clean.

    Get a pilot's license and make flying your number one hobby;
    experienced pilots are known to be favored even for non-pilot jobs.

    Work for NASA; of 45 astronauts selected between 1984 and 1988,
    43 were military or NASA employees, and the remaining two were
    a NASA consultant and Mae Jemison (the first black female astronaut).
    If you apply from outside NASA and miss, but they offer you a job
    at NASA, ***TAKE IT***; sometimes in the past this has meant "you
    do look interesting but we want to know you a bit better first".

    Think space:  they want highly motivated people, so lose no chance
    to demonstrate motivation.

    Keep trying.  Many astronauts didn't make it the first time.

    [From [e-mail] (Henry Spencer)]

Appendix C) Questions yet to be answered

    Feel free to take a crack at these.

    * How do I receive/interpret weather satellite images?

    * Brief descriptions and contact info for small space companies:
    AMROC/SSIA/OSC/Pacific American/3rd Millenium/OTRAG/?

    * Tell me about:
    Spy satellites
    GPS
    AMSATs
    Propulsion:
        Laser launchers
        Ion/electric propulsion
        Solar Sails
        Mass drivers/railguns
    Fate of the Voyager spacecraft

    * Where is the best place to watch a Shuttle launch from?

    * Where can I get software to simulate the entire Solar System?
--
    Jon Leech ([e-mail])    __@/
    Brice: "How many people don't know anything about it?"
    Andy: "About what?"

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End of SPACE Digest V13 #220
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