Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT/SPACEDIG/V15_0/V15NO005.TXT

Internet Message Format | 1993-07-13 | 36KB

Date: Thu, 16 Jul 92 05:05:01
From: Space Digest maintainer <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Space Digest V15 #005
To: Space Digest Readers
Precedence: bulk


Space Digest                Thu, 16 Jul 92       Volume 15 : Issue 005

Today's Topics:
                  Chemical unit operations in space
               Energy from Dirt! (was Re: Space Power)
                              FTL drives
                     FUTURES with Jaime Escalante
               Mars Direct: Any Independent Evaluation?
            Need Testers for MS Windows Astronomy Program
   No markets in space? (was Re: Chemical unit operations in space)
          RFD: sci.math.research.fields-institute moderated
Space Transportation Infrastructure Costs (Was Re: Interstates) (2 msgs)
           Zubrin, teleoperation, and Spaceweek in Chicago

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Date: 15 Jul 92 23:17:13 GMT
From: Mark A Biggar <[e-mail]>
Subject: Chemical unit operations in space
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.science,sci.space

The following operations work just as well in micro-grav or better:

Electro-phoresis through gels
capillary action in thin tubs
wicks
osmosis (both gas and liquid) through membranes
crystal growth in solution or reverse sublimination
electroplating


Somethings work only in micro-grav

homogeous mixtures of immiscible liquids (includeing metals)
perfectly even distributed coloidal suspensions

elimination of tidal forces for real micro-grav consitions

if you place 6 dense spherical weights in a regular hexigon, with the hexigon
placed so that a normal to the plane of the hexigon points at the center of
earth, then there is a flat cylindrical region (shaped like a movie film can)
where there tidal forces are vertualy eliminated.

--
mark Biggar
[e-mail]

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

Date: 15 Jul 92 10:30:54 GMT
From: Nick Szabo <[e-mail]>
Subject: Energy from Dirt! (was Re: Space Power)
Newsgroups: sci.space

>[e-mail] (Bill Higgins-- Beam Jockey) writes:
>
> Another: Lunar dirt.  The Moon sits high in the Earth's gravity well.
> Measured in terms of gravitational potential energy, "a pound of lunar
> soil contains more energy than a pound of gasoline."

A pound of asteroid dirt directed towards Earth would contain several
times this amount, and there are several known (and probably thousands
undiscovered) asteroids with intercept delta-v's near zero (much less
than lunar escape velocity).  The source is admittedly irregular, and
like the lunar regolith the mass must be shipped in safely sized
packages.

How could we convert such energy to useful work?  One possibility
is momentum transfer to launch payloads with spinning tethers.
Another is sending armature-contained regolith into mouths of
reverse mass drivers.  I have previously described "reciprocating mass
drivers", which send and receive payloads across the solar system at
very high velocities with theoretical zero energy expenditure.
Such a system could actually generate net electricity by extracting
the energy from intercepted lunar or asteroid regolith.


--
[e-mail]  Public Access User --- Not affiliated with TECHbooks
Public Access UNIX and Internet at [phone] (1200/2400, N81)

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

Date: 15 Jul 92 16:57:08 GMT
From: Shari L Brooks <[e-mail]>
Subject: FTL drives
Newsgroups: sci.space

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (WENDY WARTNICK) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Derek Wee) writes...
>>
>>  Just out of interest, I'm compiling a list of the FTL drives used in
>>science  fiction stories and computer games. I have already got:
>
>What was the method they used in "Dune"?  It was not one of the mentioned,
>but I cannot remember it offhand.


The means of propulsion is not mentioned, at least not in the first three
books of the series.  The original book makes several references to the
"secretive" nature of the "Spacing Guild" which I interpret as Frank Herbert
not wanting to detract from the main points of his book by overconcern with
pseudoscientific detail on FTL drives.

Navigation, of course, is mentioned ... by means of some kind of prescience
imbued upon the "Guild Navigators" by ingesting melange spice...

I seem to recall that the movie had something in it, but the movie took vast
artistic liberties with the storyline, too.

--
  Shari L Brooks                   |   [e-mail]

  NAVSOC code NSOC323D             |   [e-mail]
  NAWS Pt Mugu, CA 93042-5013      |
--> All statements/opinions above are mine and mine only, not the US Navy's.

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

Date: 15 Jul 92 15:34:11 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: FUTURES with Jaime Escalante
Newsgroups: sci.space

The following instructional television series will be broadcast on many
PBS stations during the 1992-'93 school year. Please contact the
Education Services Director at your local PBS station to find out exact
broadcast times. Also, attached is an Interest Form which may be used to
obtain more information about this series or our other offerings:


FUTURES with Jaime Escalante
 Math, Science,
 Careers
 Grades 7-12

SERIES DESCRIPTION

1.         TITLE             FUTURES WITH JAIME ESCALANTE

2.         NUMBER/LENGTH         12/15-Minute

3.         SUBJECT/GRADE LEVEL             Math, Science, Careers/Grades
                    7-12

4.         PRODUCER             Foundation for Advancements in
                    Science and Education

5.         PRODUCTION DATE         1990

6.         DESCRIPTION

CLOSED CAPTIONED FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED

The award-winning FUTURES, hosted by famed-teacher Jaime
Escalante and his actual students, captures his innovative
teaching style (profiled in "STAND AND DELIVER").
Escalante's tremendous success is based on the fact that
students are usually better motivated when they can connect
what they are studying now to what they will be doing in the
future.  FUTURES is about how math relates to the working
world -- to careers and jobs.  It is designed to motivate
students to study math by showing them the many ways math is
used, and the opportunities and life-styles available to
those who have good math skills.

7.  PROGRAM TITLES

101: AGRICULTURE -- The world is faced with growing
populations and decreasing land availability.  But research
and technology may pave the way to meeting the increasing
food needs of the earth's population, using ecologically
sound methods. Students will see innovations in agricultural-
engineering, aqua-culture, hydroponics and farming in space,
as introduced by specialists--all of whom use mathematics to
"feed the future."
Learning Objectives:
* To introduce students to trends and people in modern
agriculture.
* To demonstrate practical applications of math in
agriculture.

102: AIRCRAFT DESIGN -- One of mankind's greatest
fascinations is with flying: from mythological Icarus making
wings of wax to the human powered Gossamer Albatross flying
over the English Channel, to the Voyager plane
circumnavigating the earth, non-stop, on one tankful of fuel.
Students will see that only through an understanding of math
could engineers design crafts that would stay in the air.
Former Blue Angel, Navy Lieutenant Commander Donnie Cochran
joins Escalante and his class and talks about the preparation
needed for a career in jet aviation.  Students will see how
some of the world's most unique aircraft are designed.
Learning Objectives:
* To familiarize students with many areas of aircraft design.
* To give students some practical math applications in the
area of flight, e.g. ratios.

103: ARCHITECTURE AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING -- The great
skylines of American cities are monuments to mathematics.
Structures, from skyscrapers to rollercoasters, are only
feasible because of mathematics in practice.  Pritzker Prize
award-winning architect Frank Gehry joins Escalante in this
program.  Viewers will go for a wild ride on Viper, Magic
MountainUs newest, most daring rollercoaster, and meet
ViperUs designers, then go to New York City and meet Ysrael
Seinuk, one of AmericaUs preeminent structural
engineers, and Cooper Union's student engineers.
Learning Objectives:
* To familiarize students with architectural and structural
engineering, past, present and future.
* To show students basic math applications in the work place
of architects and structural engineers, e.g. geometric
shapes.

104: AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN -- The automobile is part of most
students'  fantasy life and remains America's largest single
industry. Indy 500 champion Danny Sullivan joins
Escalante and demonstrates the math concept of velocity,
leading to an exploration of the world of auto design and
engineering at General Motors Advanced Concept Center and Art
Center College of Design.  World famous race car designer
Nigel Bennett, encourages students to "get all the math and
physics you can" if you want to become involved in automotive
design.
Learning Objectives:
* To introduce students to the automotive design industry.
* To show students practical examples of mathematics in
designing and racing cars, e.g. velocity, distance/time.

105: CARTOGRAPHY -- Mapping is no longer limited to making a
record of the terrain of a region.  The rapidly growing
population of the earth has made necessary detailed studies
of the physical and social environment, ranging from
pollution and food production to energy resources.
Cartographers are also engaged in mapping the moon and other
planets.  The major math applications cartographers use are
scale,ratios, points, and coordinates.  The most important
tool used in cartography is the computer.  Actor Edward James
Olmos joins Escalante and Carlos Hagen-Lautrup, head of
UCLAUs Bruman (map) Library as this segment explores state-
of-the-art mapping processes.
Learning Objectives:
* To familiarize students with the field of cartography.
* To show students math applications in many varied
cartographical areas of math, e.g. coordinates.

106: FASHION -- Most students relate to fashion and style,
but how many realize the importance of math in the creation,
manufacturing and marketing of clothing? According to
numerous fashion industry professionals, "all too few!" This
segment will follow fashion, from designer's drafting tables,
to manufacturing, buying and merchandising--demonstrating
"the mathematics of fashion." Actor Kadeem Hardison and top
model Cindy Crawford join Escalante and the students in
discovering the realities behind designing and marketing
"math" team jackets.
Learning Objectives:
* To introduce a behind-the-scenes look at a career in
fashion.
* To show through real interviews with specialists that math
is not only important it is  essential to success.  Math
applications include costing.

107: WATER-ENGINEERING -- It could be argued that water is
the most important element in our lives, but one which we
only stop to consider when there is too much (storms,
flooding) or when there is not enough (drought).  From coast
to coast, mathematics is vital to the management of water.
Film director James Cameron (The Abyss) joins Escalante to
explore the water supply from New York to California where
literally billions of gallons of water are needed daily.
Learning Objectives:
* To introduce students to the world of water control,
conservation and use.
* To show students practical math applications in the field
of hydro-engineering, e.g.  volume and rates of flow.

108: OPTICS -- Optics is the study of light and vision.  In
the future lasers and fiber optics will revolutionize
medicine, media and communications.  Students will see inside
AT&T Bell Laboratories, Lasermedia, and the University of
Arizona, Tucson, Optical Sciences Center where students meet
world famous astronomer Roger Angel. They'll see PacTelUs
futuristic video telephone Video Window. They will also meet
world renowned photojournalist Mary Ellen Mark and
photographer J.P. Morgan.
Learning Objectives:
* To introduce students to the world of optics.
* To show students numerous math applications in the optics
field, e.g. fractions.

109: PUTTING MAN IN SPACE -- From that day in 1969 when man
first walked on the moon, the world has marveled at AmericaUs
dominance in space exploration.  We are now committed to
manning the first space station -- a remarkable
accomplishment of engineering and imagination.  Astronaut
Bonnie Dunbar joins Escalante to take students to Johnson
Space Center in Houston to demonstrate how math is
fundamental to the engineering that shapes our ability to
operate in outer space.  Students will get an inside look at
NASAUs Mission Control, Weightless Environment Training
Facility, Flight Simulation and Robotics Laboratory. Learning
Objectives:
* To take students behind the scene of our nation's space
program in Houston.
* To introduce students to the various applications of math
and computers in the space program, e.g.  balance and
equilibrium.

110: SOUND ENGINEERING -- Students love music, but itUs a
long way from a songwriterUs idea to listening to a hit tune
at home on your CD. The world of modern sound technology is
designed and built using the language of mathematics.
Students will travel behind the scenes to a rock concert,
recording studio, the world famous Hollywood Bowl, and the
film industry.  Students will meet Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, sound
acoustician for the Hollywood Bowl; Tom Holman, creator of
THX theater alignment; Dr. Amar Bose, Professor of Electrical
Engineering and Computer Sciences at MIT, and president and
founder of the Bose Corporation.
Learning Objectives:
* To introduce students to many areas of sound and the
diverse jobs available.
* To show students the need for "numeracy" in the field of
sound, e.g. sound waves, digital sound.

111: STATISTICS -- Everybody wants predictions about the
future. Statistics is the only way we know to confidently
project what could happen based on past results. The
increasing role of statistics in the census, in the music
industry, in marketing, politics, and sports will be
highlighted.  Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chairman of
President BushUs Council on Physical Fitness visits the
classroom to discuss the role of statistics in determining
the physical fitness of our nationUs youth.
Learning Objectives:
* To show students that statistics (and statisticians) are
everywhere, affecting our lives.
* To introduce students to various math concepts, e.g.
sampling and projections.

112: SPORTS PERFORMANCE -- From the crack of the bat and the
curve of the ball, to sprinters, skateboarders and skiers,
athletic performance is being shaped by technological
innovation. Students will see mathematics being used at Santa
Cruz Skateboards, Nike, Dodger Stadium, Specialized Bicycles
and other venues. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jackie Joyner-
Kersee join Escalante to explore the impact mathematics is
having on world class athletics.
Learning Objectives:
* To introduce students to the people and designers behind
sports.
* To show math applications in designing equipment for
athletics, e.g., parabola.

8.       RIGHTS INFORMATION

Broadcast Rights -- ITV broadcast requires an ITV Broadcast
License. License fees vary and are based on the total
K-12 enrollment of the schools in the area served.  ITV
Licenses grant unlimited school broadcast use for one year,
including ITFS, educational cable, and other closed circuit
means.  Call PBS E/SS at [phone] or FAX questions to
[phone].

School Off-Air Record and Use Rights -- Series licensees may
allow schools to record programs off-the-air and retain them
for use during the term of the license. Call E/SS at (703)
739-5402 if you have questions or FAX to [phone].

Videotape Duplication and Distribution Rights -- Duplication
rights will be available for an additional fee ($5 per
minute) from PBS Video, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria,
Virginia 22314, [phone].

Audio-Visual/Non-Broadcast Rights -- A-V and non-broadcast
videocassette rights for informational and educational
purposes are held by PBS Video, 1320 Braddock Place,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314, [phone].  Two individual
episodes on one tape are available for $60 in VHS and $100 in
3/4 inch format.  The entire series of 12
episodes can be purchased for $300 on VHS and $540 on 3/4
inch.

Foreign Rights -- The foreign rights are held by FASE, 4801
Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 215, Los Angeles, California 90010,
[phone].

9.         PRINT MATERIALS

An extensive 42-page Teacher's Guide (with an accompanying
colorful poster) is available for $3.00 each (plus 20%
shipping and handling).  A minimum order of 10 guides is
required.  Reprint rights are available to stations for $150.
State-wide rights are subject to negotiation.  The Teacher's
Guide contains individual program synopses, vocabulary
review, career resources, and three levels of suggested
activities for each program.  To order guides, contact the
PBS Elementary/Secondary Service, 1320 Braddock Place,
Alexandria, VA. 22314, [phone].

10.         FUNDING

Made possible with funding by ARCO, The Carnegie Corporation
of New York, IBM, and The Department of Energy.  Ronald
McDonald's Children's Charities underwrote the Teacher's
Guide and accompanying poster.

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

The PBS Elementary/Secondary Service is the school television arm of PBS
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serves as an outreach liason to the education community; supports
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Please contact the Learning Services Director at your local PBS
station(s) for information on LOCAL programming and resources. More than
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If you would like to receive more information on PBS E/SS, please E-mail
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-----YES! I would like to receive more information on the following PBS
E/SS programs or publications.  This information will be sent at no
cost to you and with no obligation:

Programming

_____3-2-1 CLASSROOM CONTACT (Science, Grades 4-6)
_____AMIGOS (Spanish, Grades K-2)
_____CASTLE AND CATHEDRAL (History, Grades 5-10)
_____THE CHALLENGE OF THE UNKNOWN (Math, Grades 4-12)
_____EAT WELL, BE WELL (Health, Grades 1-4)
_____EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW (History, Grades 10-12)
_____FRANCE-TV MAGAZINE (French, Grades 8-12)
_____FUTURES with Jaime Escalante (Math & Science, Grades 7-12)
_____FUTURES2 with Jaime Escalante (Math & Science, Grades 7-12)
_____GROWING UP, GROWING OLDER (Relationships, Grades 5-6)
_____ICEWALK (Environmental Science, Grades 7-12)
_____NSBA VIDEOCONFERENCE EVENT 10/22/92 (Professional Development)
_____RACE TO SAVE THE PLANET: Instructional Modules (Science, 7-12)
_____SPACE AGE TELECONFERENCES 10/1/92 and 10/15/92 (Teaching Tool, 9-12)
_____SPACESHIP EARTH (Geography, Environmental Science, Grades 9-12)
_____TELESTAR 401: THE EDUCATION SATELLITE
_____VOYAGE OF THE MIMI & SECOND VOM (Science, Grades 4-8)
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END

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

Date: 15 Jul 92 10:34:30 GMT
From: Nick Szabo <[e-mail]>
Subject: Mars Direct: Any Independent Evaluation?
Newsgroups: sci.space

>[e-mail] (Nick Szabo) writes:
>
>> Plus >$60 billion for developing and launching artificial-gravity habitat,
>> plus $5 billion a year for maintaining the Shuttle infrastructure, plus
>> an unknown amount for Mars shuttle, habs, rovers, etc.

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Michael Wallis) writes:
>Nick ... read the paper ... Mars Direct does NOT need or use an
>artificial-gravity habitiat as you're suggesting. It does NOT use the
>shuttle fleet. The Mars shuttle, habs, etc are what the $5 billion a year
>for 10 years buys you.

_I_ need to read the paper?  Wow.

When _you_ read the paper, you will find that Ares indeed depends on the
Shuttle infrastructure, and they do indeed propose an artificial-gravity
habitat (without provding a design).


--
[e-mail]  Public Access User --- Not affiliated with TECHbooks
Public Access UNIX and Internet at [phone] (1200/2400, N81)

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

Date: 16 Jul 92 01:11:00 GMT
From: Eric Bergman-Terrell <[e-mail]>
Subject: Need Testers for MS Windows Astronomy Program
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms,comp.windows.ms.programmer,sci.astro,sci.space,sci.edu,comp.ibm.pc.misc

*** Beta Testers Needed for Windows 3.X Astronomy Program ***

I need people to text version 1.09 of Astronomy Lab for MS Windows 3.X.
If you are interested, please send me an e-mail message containing the
following information:

Name:
US Mail Address:
E-Mail Address:
Version of MS-Windows:
Version of MS-DOS:
CPU:
Math Coprocessor (not required):
Memory:
Graphics Card:
Printer:

Beta testers must agree to not distribute the test version of the software.
Beta testers will be sent the final version of the software when testing
is complete.  Astronomy Lab is shareware.

Beta software will be sent via e-mail as uuencoded .zip files.  You
will need to uudecode the files, and then unzip them on your PC.
UNIX users:  do a "man uudecode" for further information.

Testers will send feedback via e-mail to [e-mail].

Eric Bergman-Terrell
[e-mail]

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

Astronomy Lab is one of the most versatile and comprehensive astronomy
programs available for Microsoft Windows 3.X.  Astronomy Lab produces 7
movies that simulate a host of astronomical phenomena, 15 graphs that
illustrate many fundamental concepts of astronomy, and 14 printed reports
that predict the most important astronomical events.  All movies, graphs,
and reports are customized for the user's time zone and location.

Astronomy Lab requires Microsoft Windows 3.X or later running in standard
or enhanced mode, 1 megabyte of available memory, and a mouse.  Reports,
graphs, and movie frames can be printed on any Windows compatible printer.
Astronomy Lab will use an 8X87 compatible math coprocessor if one is
installed.

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

Date: 15 Jul 92 23:58:30 GMT
From: Bill Higgins-- Beam Jockey <[e-mail]>
Subject: No markets in space? (was Re: Chemical unit operations in space)
Newsgroups: sci.space

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Arrowsmith) writes:
> In article <[e-mail]>
> [e-mail] (Thomas Koenig) writes:
>>>I've been wondering a bit about how a chemical plant would look
>>>like in space.
>>>
> I'm wondering what *use* this sort of chemical plant would have.  You're
> going to have to ship the raw materials up to orbit, and return the
> products (there's not likely to be much of a market elsewhere!) -- so
> why move anything other than stuff either side of the micro-g phase
> of the process?

I infer that you are not a frequent reader of sci.space, or of the
space development literature.  The solar system contains, I would
guess without looking it up, over 500 times the mass of the Earth,
exclusive of the Sun itself.  It makes sense to use as much as
possible of the stuff that's already *in* space to support exploration
and industrial activities in space.  So excavation and processing
material in various ways (I'll spare you the list of sources and
applications; ask if you want to know-- the readers of sci.space will
be happy to explain) will be desirable in space.  Some of these
situations involve zero-g (all right, "microgravity," I'm a child of
the Fifties), such as refining ore or extracting hydrogen and oxygen
from an asteroid or comet.

In short, there *will* be a market elsewhere.  At least this is
enough of a possiblity to be worth dicussing Mr. Koenig's question.

It's also true that no large increase in astronautical activity will
occur unless transportation from Earth decreases considerably.  As
this happens, the penalty for bringing equipment or raw materials from
Earth will be lower.  Also, the list of products worthwhile to import
from space (material products anyway, as opposed to information like
video, geosensing, science, and reconnaissance data) may get somewhat
longer.  It's unlikely to be a really long list for many decades.

     O~~*           /_) ' / /   /_/ '  ,   ,  ' ,_  _           \|/
   - ~ -~~~~~~~~~~~/_) / / /   / / / (_) (_) / / / _\~~~~~~~~~~~zap!
 /       \                          (_) (_)                    / | \
 |       |     Bill Higgins   Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
 \       /     Bitnet:     [e-mail]
   -   -       Internet:  [e-mail]
     ~         SPAN/Hepnet:      43011::HIGGINS

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

Date: 15 Jul 92 22:13:32 GMT
From: "Sheri L. Albers" <[e-mail]>
Subject: RFD: sci.math.research.fields-institute moderated
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,sci.aeronautics,sci.chem,sci.electronics,sci.geo.fluids,sci.math,sci.physics,sci.research,sci.space

To whom it may concern:

The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences is
interested in establishing a newsgroup in the sci.math pathway.  A
tentative name for this group would be sci.math.research.fields-
institute.

The newsgroup sci.math.research is inappropriate for our
purposes because its focus is on actual research problems and
results, not events.

The proposed moderator is Liz Reidt, Executive Assistant at The
Fields Institute, and the address for the moderator would be
[e-mail].  Any questions or direct comments not
posted to the discussion group should be addressed here.  The
moderation policy is still under revision.

Basically, postings would be about Institute conference
announcements and results, seminars, positions available, calls for
papers, and other news that would be of interest to a worldwide
readership of mathematicians.  Also there would be a summary of
events posted on a bi-weekly basis.  Discussions resulting from
conferences would be routed to sci.math.research.

Here is some background information about The Fields Institute:
On November 8, 1991 funding was announced for a major new
research institute named in honour of the Canadian mathematician
John Charles Fields (1863-1932) who conceived the award now
known as the Fields Medal.  The Fields Institute is a joint effort of
McMaster University, the University of Toronto and the University
of Waterloo.  Other universities across Canada have been invited to
affiliate with it.  The Institute is funded by new money from the
Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities and the Committee
for Collaborative Research Initiatives of the Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council of Canada. It is designed to increase
activity in leading edge mathematical sciences research in Canada,
to provide additional opportunities for graduate training  and to
improve interaction with science and industry.

There will be a discussion on the creation of this group in the
group news.groups.  This announcement is being posted to other
groups as well as e-mailed to affected individuals.  Once a general
consensus is reached and there are no major objections, a follow-
up message will be sent and posted regarding the details of the
vote.  We encourage all interested parties to tune into the
discussion and, when asked to, vote.

Sincerely,
--
Sheri Albers, Scientific Support Staff
The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences
185 Columbia St. W.             PH: 519-725-0096   FX: 519-725-0704
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada       e-mail: [e-mail]
N2L 5Z5

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

Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1992 23:02:59 GMT
From: Henry Spencer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Space Transportation Infrastructure Costs (Was Re: Interstates)
Newsgroups: sci.space

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>I think a consensus is growing on this net group that cheap transportation is
>the number 1 priority in all of our future wonderful plans for space. Maybe
>instead of fighting about manned vs unmanned we could jointly promote the
>development of a transportation infrastructure that will greatly lower
>[the costs of both]...

Actually, the big problem in doing something about the transport situation
is lack of demand.  Name one *approved* program that needs cheaper transport.
There isn't any.  Of course, a major reason for this is that such programs
don't get approved -- or even seriously proposed -- because a major element
of infrastructure for them is missing.

(This phenomenon shows up elsewhere.  Of *course* the current microgravity
research programs don't need a space station -- they got proposed and
funded by being viable with today's existing microgravity facilities!)

There are *all kinds of ways* to reduce launch costs a lot.  It's not a
question of having to search frantically to find one.  The problem is
getting a few of them built and tested.

I think the demand is going to have to come from the manned programs.
Most of the unmanned people are very thoroughly locked into the mindset
of never depending on new technology if they can avoid it.  (As witness
Cassini being shrunk to fit on a Titan IV without the new SRBs... which
have now been successfully tested.)  An unmanned program that seriously
proposes things like the MarinerMk2 Neptune/Pluto concept is not going
to bang fists on tables and demand better propulsion technology -- they've
forgotten it's possible.
--
There is nothing wrong with making      | Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
mistakes, but... make *new* ones. -D.Sim|  [e-mail]  utzoo!henry

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

Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1992 01:33:50 GMT
From: Greg Hennessy <[e-mail]>
Subject: Space Transportation Infrastructure Costs (Was Re: Interstates)
Newsgroups: sci.space

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Henry
Spencer) writes:
#Name one *approved* program that needs cheaper transport.

Of course the programs that need cheaper transport don't get approved.

--
-Greg Hennessy, University of Virginia
 USPS Mail:     Astronomy Department, Charlottesville, VA 22903-2475 USA
 Internet:      [e-mail]
 UUCP:        ...!uunet!virginia!gsh7w

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

Date: 16 Jul 92 01:40:48 GMT
From: Bill Higgins-- Beam Jockey <[e-mail]>
Subject: Zubrin, teleoperation, and Spaceweek in Chicago
Newsgroups: sci.space

Well, kids, Spaceweek, the annivesary of the Apollo 11 mission, 18-26
July, is here once again  and we're doing an all-day event at the
Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago on Saturday the 18th.  I've
posted a detailed notice about it as a separate message, with
distribution restricted (at least I attempted this) to Illinois so as
not to bother those of you who won't be nearby.  Copies available on
request.

But I'd like to mention a couple of features.  First, we are due to be
borrowing the Space Studies Institute's teleoperation toy again.  It's
a tank with a robot arm you can use to pick up and move small objects.
The joystick signals are delayed by two seconds or so to simulate the
experience of sitting on Earth and commanding equipment on the Moon,
just like the drivers of the Lunokhods did.

I had fun teaching the Bart Simpson generation how to do this last
year, and hope to play with it again Saturday.  Surprisingly, they
catch on very fast to the "push-- release-- count-to-three-- watch it
move" method, and get good enough to pick up an object, carry it to a
designated spot, and drop it.

I'd love to have a videotape of this.  If you're coming to the Museum,
and you bring a camcorder, please talk to me (most of the volunteers
can point me out).

Second, Dr. Robert Zubrin of Martin Marietta Astronautics is flying in
from Denver, and he'll speak at 4 PM.  Bob is one of the guys who
cooked up the "Mars Direct" scheme and the "magsail," both ideas which
have enjoyed considerable discussion here.

If you're familiar with these ideas and you have questions about
them, I'll attempt to pass them on when I see him Saturday.  I can't
promise perfect enlightenment, but I'll at least try to get answers.

If you're not familiar with them, please do some homework before you
ask a question:

Mars Direct:  Explained pretty well in the past few weeks on Usenet--
look at old articles, especially Brian Yamauchi's summary from 28
June, message ID of <[e-mail]>.
The latest issue (June/July 1992?) of *Final Frontier* has a pop
article on it.  Sorry, don't have any more technical references handy.
There was an *Aerospace America* article, maybe sometime in 1990 or
early 1991.

The Magnetic Sail: The May 1992 issue of *Analog* has a semitechnical
article.

"Magnetic Sails and Interplanetary Travel"
AIAA-89-2441, *Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets*, March/April 1991

Andrews, D., and Zubrin, R., "Progress in Magnetic Sails", from the
July 1990 AIAA/SAE/ASME/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference.

There was very extensive technical discussion in the Space-Tech
Digest, issues #117, 118, and 120.  They may be obtained by FTP from
DAISY.LEARNING.CS.CMU.EDU, in directory /usr/anon/public/space-tech,
filenames std117, etc.

Submarines, flying boats, robots, talking         Bill Higgins
pictures, radio, television, bouncing radar       Fermilab
vibrations off the moon, rocket ships, and        [e-mail]
atom-splitting-- all in our time.  But nobody     [e-mail]
has yet been able to figure out a music           SPAN:  43011::HIGGINS
holder for a marching piccolo player.
                     --Meredith Willson, 1948

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

End of Space Digest Volume 15 : Issue 005
------------------------------