Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT/SPACEDIG/V16_1/V16NO131.TXT

Internet Message Format | 1993-07-13 | 42KB

Date: Mon,  8 Feb 93 07:22:24
From: Space Digest maintainer <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Space Digest V16 #131
To: Space Digest Readers
Precedence: bulk


Space Digest                Mon,  8 Feb 93       Volume 16 : Issue 131

Today's Topics:
                 Astro/Space Frequently Seen Acronyms
           Clinton's Promises (space) in Charlotte Observer
                         IRAS - 10 Years Ago
                         NORAD and METEOROIDS
         Russian solar sail flight possibly set for Feb. 4th
             Space Station Freedom Media Handbook - 11/18

    Welcome to the Space Digest!!  Please send your messages to
    "[e-mail]", and (un)subscription requests of the form
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    (BITNET), rice::boyle (SPAN/NSInet), utadnx::utspan::rice::boyle
    (THENET), or [e-mail] (Internet).
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 4 Feb 93 06:02:35 GMT
From: Mark Bradford <[e-mail]>
Subject: Astro/Space Frequently Seen Acronyms
Newsgroups: sci.astro,sci.space,sci.space.shuttle,news.answers

Archive-name: space/acronyms
Edition: 8

Acronym List for sci.astro, sci.space, and sci.space.shuttle:
Edition 8, 1992 Dec 7
Last posted: 1992 Aug 27

This list is offered as a reference for translating commonly appearing
acronyms in the space-related newsgroups.  If I forgot or botched your
favorite acronym, please let me know!  Also, if there's an acronym *not*
on this list that confuses you, drop me a line, and if I can figure
it out, I'll add it to the list.

Note that this is intended to be a reference for *frequently seen*
acronyms, and is most emphatically *not* encyclopedic.  If I incorporated
every acronym I ever saw, I'd soon run out of disk space!  :-)

The list will be posted at regular intervals, every 30 days.  All
comments regarding it are welcome; I'm reachable as [e-mail].

Note that this just tells what the acronyms stand for -- you're on your
own for figuring out what they *mean*!  Note also that the total number of
acronyms in use far exceeds what I can list; special-purpose acronyms that
are essentially always explained as they're introduced are omitted.
Further, some acronyms stand for more than one thing; as of Edition 3 of
the list, these acronyms appear on multiple lines, unless they're simply
different ways of referring to the same thing.

Thanks to everybody who's sent suggestions since the first version of
the list, and especially to Garrett A. Wollman ([e-mail]),
who is maintaining an independent list, somewhat more verbose in
character than mine, and to Daniel Fischer ([e-mail]),
who is maintaining a truly HUGE list (535 at last count) of acronyms and
terms, mostly in German (which I read, fortunately).

Special thanks this time to Ken Hollis at NASA, who sent me a copy of NASA
Reference Publication 1059 Revised: _Space Transportation System and
Associated Payloads: Glossary, Acronyms, and Abbreviations_, a truly
mammoth tome -- almost 300 pages of TLAs.

Special Bonus!  At the end of this posting, you will find a perl program
written by none other than Larry Wall, whose purpose is to scramble the
acronym list in an entertaining fashion.  Thanks, Larry!

A&A: Astronomy and Astrophysics
AAO: Anglo-Australian Observatory
AAS: American Astronomical Society
AAS: American Astronautical Society
AAVSO: American Association of Variable Star Observers
ACE: Advanced Composition Explorer
ACRV: Assured Crew Return Vehicle (or) Astronaut Crew Rescue Vehicle
ADFRF: Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility (was DFRF) (NASA)
AGN: Active Galactic Nucleus
AGU: American Geophysical Union
AIAA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
AIPS: Astronomical Image Processing System
AJ: Astronomical Journal
ALEXIS: Array of Low Energy X-ray Imaging Sensors
ALPO: Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers
ALS: Advanced Launch System
ANSI: American National Standards Institute
AOA: Abort Once Around (Shuttle abort plan)
AOCS: Attitude and Orbit Control System
Ap.J: Astrophysical Journal
APM: Attached Pressurized Module (a.k.a. Columbus)
APU: Auxiliary Power Unit
ARC: Ames Research Center (NASA)
ARTEMIS: Advanced Relay TEchnology MISsion
ASA: Astronomical Society of the Atlantic
ASI: Agenzia Spaziale Italiano
ASRM: Advanced Solid Rocket Motor
ATDRS: Advanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
ATLAS: Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science
ATM: Amateur Telescope Maker
ATO: Abort To Orbit (Shuttle abort plan)
AU: Astronomical Unit
AURA: Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
AW&ST: Aviation Week and Space Technology (a.k.a. AvLeak)
AXAF: Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility
BATSE: Burst And Transient Source Experiment (on CGRO)
BBXRT: Broad-Band X-Ray Telescope (ASTRO package)
BEM: Bug-Eyed Monster
BH: Black Hole
BIMA: Berkeley Illinois Maryland Array
BNSC: British National Space Centre
BTW: By The Way
C&T: Communications & Tracking
CCAFS: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
CCD: Charge-Coupled Device
CCDS: Centers for the Commercial Development of Space
CD-ROM: Compact Disk Read-Only Memory
CFA: Center For Astrophysics
CFC: ChloroFluoroCarbon
CFF: Columbus Free Flyer
CFHT: Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope
CGRO: (Arthur Holley) Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (was GRO)
CHARA: Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy
CIRRIS: Cryogenic InfraRed Radiance Instrument for Shuttle
CIT: Circumstellar Imaging Telescope
CM: Command Module (Apollo spacecraft)
CMCC: Central Mission Control Centre (ESA)
CNES: Centre National d'Etude Spatiales
CNO: Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen
CNSR: Comet Nucleus Sample Return
COBE: COsmic Background Explorer
COMPTEL: COMPton TELescope (on CGRO)
COSTAR: Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement
CRAF: Comet Rendezvous / Asteroid Flyby
CRRES: Combined Release / Radiation Effects Satellite
CSM: Command and Service Module (Apollo spacecraft)
CSTC: Consolidated Satellite Test Center (USAF)
CTIO: Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory
DCX: Delta Clipper eXperimental
DDCU: DC-to-DC Converter Unit
DFRF: Dryden Flight Research Facility (now ADFRF)
DMSP: Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
DOD: Department Of Defense (sometimes DoD)
DOE: Department Of Energy
DOT: Department Of Transportation
DSCS: Defense Satellite Communications System
DSN: Deep Space Network
DSP: Defense Support Program (USAF/NRO)
EAFB: Edwards Air Force Base
ECS: Environmental Control System
EDO: Extended Duration Orbiter
EGRET: Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (on CGRO)
EJASA: Electronic Journal of the Astronomical Society of the Atlantic
ELV: Expendable Launch Vehicle
EMU: Extravehicular Mobility Unit
EOS: Earth Observing System
ERS: Earth Resources Satellite (as in ERS-1)
ESA: European Space Agency
ESO: European Southern Observatory
ET: (Shuttle) External Tank
ETLA: Extended Three Letter Acronym
ETR: Eastern Test Range
EUV: Extreme UltraViolet
EUVE: Extreme UltraViolet Explorer
EVA: ExtraVehicular Activity
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
FAST: Fast Auroral SnapshoT explorer
FFT: Fast Fourier Transform
FGS: Fine Guidance Sensors (on HST)
FHST: Fixed Head Star Trackers (on HST)
FIR: Far InfraRed
FITS: Flexible Image Transport System
FOC: Faint Object Camera (on HST)
FOS: Faint Object Spectrograph (on HST)
FRR: Flight-Readiness Review
FTP: File Transfer Protocol
FTS: Flight Telerobotic Servicer
FUSE: Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer
FWHM: Full Width at Half Maximum
FYI: For Your Information
GAS: Get-Away Special
GBT: Green Bank Telescope
GCVS: General Catalog of Variable Stars
GEM: Giotto Extended Mission
GEO: Geosynchronous Earth Orbit
GDS: Great Dark Spot
GHRS: Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (on HST)
GIF: Graphics Interchange Format
GLOMR: Global Low-Orbiting Message Relay
GMC: Giant Molecular Cloud
GMRT: Giant Meter-wave Radio Telescope
GMT: Greenwich Mean Time (also called UT)
GOES: Geostationary Orbiting Environmental Satellite
GOX: Gaseous OXygen
GPC: General Purpose Computer
GPS: Global Positioning System
GRO: Gamma Ray Observatory (now CGRO)
GRS: Gamma Ray Spectrometer (on Mars Observer)
GRS: Great Red Spot
GSC: Guide Star Catalog (for HST)
GSFC: Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA)
GTO: Geostationary Transfer Orbit
HAO: High Altitude Observatory
HD: Henry Draper catalog entry
HEAO: High Energy Astronomical Observatory
HeRA: Hermes Robotic Arm
HF: High Frequency
HGA: High Gain Antenna
HLC: Heavy Lift Capability
HLV: Heavy Lift Vehicle
HMC: Halley Multicolor Camera (on Giotto)
HR: Hertzsprung-Russell (diagram)
HRI: High Resolution Imager (on ROSAT)
HSP: High Speed Photometer (on HST)
HST: Hubble Space Telescope
HUT: Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (ASTRO package)
HV: High Voltage
IAPPP: International Amateur/Professional Photoelectric Photometry
IAU: International Astronomical Union
IAUC: IAU Circular
ICE: International Cometary Explorer
IDA: International Dark-sky Association
IDL: Interactive Data Language
IGM: InterGalactic Medium
IGY: International Geophysical Year
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
IOTA: Infrared-Optical Telescope Array
IOTA: International Occultation Timing Association
IPS: Inertial Pointing System
IR: InfraRed
IRAF: Image Reduction and Analysis Facility
IRAS: InfraRed Astronomical Satellite
ISAS: Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (Japan)
ISM: InterStellar Medium
ISO: Infrared Space Observatory
ISO: International Standards Organization
ISPM: International Solar Polar Mission (now Ulysses)
ISY: International Space Year
IUE: International Ultraviolet Explorer
IUS: Inertial Upper Stage
JEM: Japanese Experiment Module (for SSF)
JGR: Journal of Geophysical Research
JILA: Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics
JPL: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
JSC: Johnson Space Center (NASA)
KAO: Kuiper Airborne Observatory
KPNO: Kitt Peak National Observatory
KSC: Kennedy Space Center (NASA)
KTB: Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary (from German)
LANL: Los Alamos National Laboratory
LaRC: Langley Research Center (NASA)
LDEF: Long Duration Exposure Facility
LEM: Lunar Excursion Module (a.k.a. LM) (Apollo spacecraft)
LEO: Low Earth Orbit
LeRC: Lewis Research Center (NASA)
LEST: Large Earth-based Solar Telescope
LFSA: List of Frequently Seen Acronyms (!)
LGA: Low Gain Antenna
LGM: Little Green Men
LH: Liquid Hydrogen (also LH2 or LHX)
LLNL: Lawrence-Livermore National Laboratory
LM: Lunar Module (a.k.a. LEM) (Apollo spacecraft)
LMC: Large Magellanic Cloud
LN2: Liquid N2 (Nitrogen)
LOX: Liquid OXygen
LRB: Liquid Rocket Booster
LSR: Local Standard of Rest
LTP: Lunar Transient Phenomenon
MB: Manned Base
MCC: Mission Control Center
MECO: Main Engine CutOff
MMH: MonoMethyl Hydrazine
MMT: Multiple Mirror Telescope
MMU: Manned Maneuvering Unit
MNRAS: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
MOC: Mars Observer Camera (on Mars Observer)
MOL: Manned Orbiting Laboratory
MOLA: Mars Observer Laser Altimeter (on Mars Observer)
MOMV: Manned Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle
MOTV: Manned Orbital Transfer Vehicle
MPC: Minor Planets Circular
MRSR: Mars Rover and Sample Return
MRSRM: Mars Rover and Sample Return Mission
MSFC: (George C.) Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA)
MTC: Man Tended Capability
NACA: National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (became NASA)
NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASDA: NAtional Space Development Agency (Japan)
NASM: National Air and Space Museum
NASP: National AeroSpace Plane
NBS: National Bureau of Standards (now NIST)
NDV: NASP Derived Vehicle
NERVA: Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application
NGC: New General Catalog
NICMOS: Near Infrared Camera / Multi Object Spectrometer (HST upgrade)
NIMS: Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (on Galileo)
NIR: Near InfraRed
NIST: National Institute for Standards and Technology (was NBS)
NLDP: National Launch Development Program
NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAO: National Optical Astronomy Observatories
NRAO: National Radio Astronomy Observatory
NRO: National Reconnaissance Office
NS: Neutron Star
NSA: National Security Agency
NSF: National Science Foundation
NSO: National Solar Observatory
NSSDC: National Space Science Data Center
NTR: Nuclear Thermal Rocket(ry)
NTT: New Technology Telescope
OAO: Orbiting Astronomical Observatory
OCST: Office of Commercial Space Transportation
OMB: Office of Management and Budget
OMS: Orbital Maneuvering System
OPF: Orbiter Processing Facility
ORFEUS: Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer
OSC: Orbital Sciences Corporation
OSCAR: Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio
OSSA: Office of Space Science and Applications
OSSE: Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (on CGRO)
OTA: Optical Telescope Assembly (on HST)
OTHB: Over The Horizon Backscatter
OTV: Orbital Transfer Vehicle
OV: Orbital Vehicle
PAM: Payload Assist Module
PAM-D: Payload Assist Module, Delta-class
PI: Principal Investigator
PLSS: Portable Life Support System
PM: Pressurized Module
PMC: Permanently Manned Capability
PMIRR: Pressure Modulated InfraRed Radiometer (on Mars Observer)
PMT: PhotoMultiplier Tube
PSF: Point Spread Function
PSR: PulSaR
PV: Photovoltaic
PVO: Pioneer Venus Orbiter
QSO: Quasi-Stellar Object
RCI: Rodent Cage Interface (for SLS mission)
RCS: Reaction Control System
REM: Rat Enclosure Module (for SLS mission)
RF: Radio Frequency
RFI: Radio Frequency Interference
RIACS: Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science
RMS: Remote Manipulator System
RNGC: Revised New General Catalog
ROSAT: ROentgen SATellite
ROUS: Rodents Of Unusual Size (I don't believe they exist)
RSN: Real Soon Now
RTG: Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator
RTLS: Return To Launch Site (Shuttle abort plan)
SAA: South Atlantic Anomaly
SAGA: Solar Array Gain Augmentation (for HST)
SAMPEX: Solar Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle EXplorer
SAO: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
SAR: Search And Rescue
SAR: Synthetic Aperture Radar
SARA: Satellite pour Astronomie Radio Amateur
SAREX: Search and Rescue Exercise
SAREX: Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment
SAS: Space Activity Suit
SAS: Space Adaptation Syndrome
SAT: Synthetic Aperture Telescope
S/C: SpaceCraft
SCA: Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
SCT: Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
SDI: Strategic Defense Initiative
SDIO: Strategic Defense Initiative Organization
SEI: Space Exploration Initiative
SEST: Swedish ESO Submillimeter Telescope
SETI: Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence
SID: Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance
SIR: Shuttle Imaging Radar
SIRTF: Space (formerly Shuttle) InfraRed Telescope Facility
SL: SpaceLab
SLAR: Side-Looking Airborne Radar
SLC: Space Launch Complex
SLS: Space(lab) Life Sciences
SMC: Small Magellanic Cloud
SME: Solar Mesosphere Explorer
SMEX: SMall EXplorers
SMM: Solar Maximum Mission
SN: SuperNova (e.g., SN1987A)
SNR: Signal to Noise Ratio
SNR: SuperNova Remnant
SNU: Solar Neutrino Units
SOFIA: Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy
SOHO: SOlar Heliospheric Observatory
SPAN: Space Physics and Analysis Network
SPDM: Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator
SPOT: Systeme Probatoire pour l'Observation de la Terre
SPS: Solar Power Satellite
SRB: Solid Rocket Booster
SRM: Solid Rocket Motor
SSF: Space Station Fred (er, Freedom)
SSI: Solid-State Imager (on Galileo)
SSI: Space Studies Institut
SSME: Space Shuttle Main Engine
SSPF: Space Station Processing Facility
SSRMS: Space Station Remote Manipulator System
SST: Spectroscopic Survey Telescope
SST: SuperSonic Transport
SSTO: Single Stage To Orbit
STIS: Space Telescope Imaging Spectrometer (to replace FOC and GHRS)
STS: Shuttle Transport System (or) Space Transportation System
STScI: Space Telescope Science Institute
SWAS: Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite
SWF: ShortWave Fading
TAL: Transatlantic Abort Landing (Shuttle abort plan)
TAU: Thousand Astronomical Unit (mission)
TCS: Thermal Control System
TDRS: Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
TDRSS: Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System
TES: Thermal Emission Spectrometer (on Mars Observer)
TIROS: Television InfraRed Observation Satellite
TLA: Three Letter Acronym
TOMS: Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer
TPS: Thermal Protection System
TSS: Tethered Satellite System
UARS: Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite
UBM: Unpressurized Berthing Mechanism
UDMH: Unsymmetrical DiMethyl Hydrazine
UFO: Unidentified Flying Object
UGC: Uppsala General Catalog
UHF: Ultra High Frequency
UIT: Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (Astro package)
UKST: United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope
USAF: United States Air Force
USMP: United States Microgravity Payload
UT: Universal Time (a.k.a. GMT, UTC, or Zulu Time)
UTC: Coordinated Universal Time (a.k.a. UT)
UV: UltraViolet
UVS: UltraViolet Spectrometer
VAB: Vehicle Assembly Building (formerly Vertical Assembly Building)
VAFB: Vandenberg Air Force Base
VEEGA: Venus-Earth-Earth Gravity Assist (Galileo flight path)
VHF: Very High Frequency
VLA: Very Large Array
VLBA: Very Long Baseline Array
VLBI: Very Long Baseline Interferometry
VLF: Very Low Frequency
VLT: Very Large Telescope
VMS: Vertical Motion Simulator
VOIR: Venus Orbiting Imaging Radar (superseded by VRM)
VPF: Vertical Processing Facility
VRM: Venus Radar Mapper (now called Magellan)
WD: White Dwarf
WFPC: Wide Field / Planetary Camera (on HST)
WFPCII: Replacement for WFPC
WIYN: Wisconsin / Indiana / Yale / NOAO telescope
WSMR: White Sands Missile Range
WTR: Western Test Range
WUPPE: Wisconsin Ultraviolet PhotoPolarimter Experiment (Astro package)
XMM: X-ray Multi Mirror
XUV: eXtreme UltraViolet
YSO: Young Stellar Object


#!/usr/bin/perl
# 'alt', An Acronym Scrambling Program, by Larry Wall

$THRESHOLD = 2;

srand;
while (<>) {
    next unless /^([A-Z]\S+): */;
    $key = $1;
    $acro{$key} = $';
    @words = split(/\W+/,$');
    unshift(@words,$key);
    $off = 0;
    foreach $word (@words) {
        next unless $word =~ /^[A-Z]/;
        *w = $&;
        vec($w{$word}, $off++ % 6, 1) = 1;
    }
}

foreach $letter (A .. Z) {
    *w = $letter;
    @w = keys %w;
    if (@w < $THRESHOLD) {
        @d = `egrep '^$letter' /usr/dict/words`;
        chop @d;
        push(@w, @d);
    }
}

foreach $key (sort keys %acro) {
    $off = 0;
    $acro = $acro{$key};
    $acro =~ s/((([A-Z])[A-Z]*)[a-z]*)/ &pick($3, $2, $1, ++$off) || $& /eg;
    print "$key: $acro";
}

sub pick {
    local($letter, $prefix, $oldword, $off) = @_;
    $i = 0;
    if (length($prefix) > 1 && index($key,$prefix) < 0) {
        if ($prefix eq $oldword) {
            $prefix = '';
        }
        else {
            $prefix = $letter;
        }
    }
    if (length($prefix) > 1) {
        local(*w) = substr($prefix,0,1);
        do {
            $word = $w[rand @w];
        } until $word ne $oldword && $word =~ /^$prefix/i || ++$i > 30;
        $word =~ s/^$prefix/$prefix/i;
        $word;
    }
    elsif (length($prefix) == 1) {
        local(*w) = $prefix;
        do {
            $word = $w[rand @w];
        } until $word ne $oldword && vec($w{$word}, $off, 1) || ++$i > 10;
        $word = "\u\L$word" if $word =~ tr/a-z/A-Z/;
        $word;
    }
    else {
        local(*w) = substr($oldword,0,1);
        do {
            $word = $w[rand @w];
        } until $word ne $oldword && $word =~ tr/a-z/A-Z/ == 0 || ++$i > 30;
        $word;
    }
}


-- Mark Bradford ([e-mail]) <> To err is human, to moo bovine.
                  "It's an ill wind that gathers no moss."

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

Date: 31 Jan 1993 17:08:44 -0500
From: Pat <[e-mail]>
Subject: Clinton's Promises (space) in Charlotte Observer
Newsgroups: sci.space

Interesting.  today the washington post reported on a
GAO audit of NASA that indicated that 80% of all NASA programs
missed their original cost estimates by flight time.

The statistics indicated that most projects were off by less then 100%
but that some projects would miss by factors of up to 5.

The granted example was TSS.  estimated at 50 million dollars it ran
263 million by last august.  THe major problem was that NASA
engineers are overoptimistic in the costs for technical
developement.  there was aquote that this" can do" attitude
allows the creations of new projects, but that a total lack of
realism permeates the developement offices in terms of costs
and schedules.

The report boded ill for Freedom, currently the largest and most
complex project under NASA's management.

The report also blamed NASA management for continoulsy reshuffling
mission priorities putting projects on hold for years at a time.

COngress also was blamed for failing to fund multi-year projects.
The report indicated that multi-year funding would help on certain
projects.

Now my question, is?

Why not put NASA into a National Labs type structure.  Give each center
5 year budgets, research golals and priorities  and then see how they
go.  rather then having multiple centers controlling parts of
each mission,  put it under one center, until a major mode change.
I.E.  Goddard builds a BIRD,  KSC launches it and JPL runs the
science mission.

comments?
pat

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

Date: 3 Feb 93 18:25:23 GMT
From: Curtis Roelle <roelle@uars_mag.jhuapl.edu>
Subject: IRAS - 10 Years Ago
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro,alt.sci.planetary

Gerry Santoro - CAC/PSU <[e-mail]> writes:

>W/r the anniversery of  IRAS ......

>Does anyone else remember the comet IRAS-Aracki-Alcock?  (sp?)

I walked into work one morning as a co-worker announced, "Well if
anyone's seen the comet, Curt has, right?"  Blushing with
embarrassment I asked sheepishly, "what comet?"  He handed me a finder
chart from that morning's Washington Post, which I studied in order to
be certain of where to find it that evening.

Upon arriving home, about 50 miles outside of Washington, I left the
car at the bottom of the drive with the engine running, snatched the
finder chart, sprang from the veicle, and gazed upward.  In an instant
it was clear that the Post's finder chart was way off because the
comet was obvious, although it was nowhere near the charted position.

Over the next few nights it moved from Ursa Major into the southern
sky.  One of the last nights it was seen by me, I was sweeping the
southern sky with binoculars.  Didn't see the comet but located the
twin star clusters M46 and M46 in Puppis, or so I thought.  I pointed
a 6" telescope at them and noticed one of the clusters could not be
resolved into stars.  What these two objects turned out to be were the
open cluster M48 and Iras-Iracki-Alcock!

It seems the comet also passed through or very close to a cluster one
night -- probably M48 but I don't have that night's notes handy right now.
Anybody else recall that event?

Curt Roelle

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

Date: 31 Jan 1993 17:15:46 -0500
From: Pat <[e-mail]>
Subject: NORAD and METEOROIDS
Newsgroups: sci.space

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
|Here is an open question I hope someone can help me with. After several
|months of trying to pursue this from "normal" channels I have become
|quite frustrated.
|In an effort to complete the data "loop" and gather all avaliable
|information about the event we have tried contacting NORAD and seeing
|what radar data might be avaliable on the event. Basically we have found out
|that they detected the object, but little else. That radar data when
|coupled with the videotapes (some 27 in all) AND the recovered meteorite
|could add immensely to our general understanding of reentry problems,
|fireball dynamics etc. In many ways the information about the event could
|be useful from NORAD's standpoint, once all the analysis is done.
|Now, we have tried to get the data or at least someone to tell us directly
|that we can't have it without any luck. What options might I have? Is there
|anyone out there who might have a contact that could help us with this
|problem?
|Any suggestions would be appreciated, as the data currently stands to be
|lost altogether on a most unique event, unless someone intervenes.
|As a side question, would anyone know where DMSP data can be obtained
|from?


DMSP data for a while was being released through NOAA.  due to problems
with GOES.   Now as for it currently,  try contacting an Air FOrce
meteorology office,  and then working north from that.  I believe that
DMSP data is not considered classified, especially after a few days:-)

Now for NORAD data,   they may have restricitions on teh resolution
of the Data they will release from their tapes.  Being canadians,
i am not sure if you could do a FOIA,  but given you are NORAD
partners,   I am sure the data can be made available.

What I reccomend is you call your local MP and ask for the tapes to be
released on an expedited basis.  They may have to censor out some radar
data of other military aircraft operating near the fireball,  but
I am sure that something can be done.  Unless they feel there is
some gap in the radar data that unveils a weakness,  it should be
releasable.  especially now that the SU is unlikely to be
sending nuclear armed bombers here,  it should be okay.

pat

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

Date: 3 Feb 93 16:24:37 GMT
From: Curtis Roelle <roelle@uars_mag.jhuapl.edu>
Subject: Russian solar sail flight possibly set for Feb. 4th
Newsgroups: sci.space

[e-mail] (Glenn Chapman) writes:


>    Best viewing will probably occur near sunrise, when the
>mirror, which is pointed towards the sun, is reflecting light while towards
>the earth's edge just before it enters the terminator for the earth's shadow.
>Exact times will depend on the orbital elements and your location

Is it correct that this technology may have applications in
illuminating the earth at night >yuck!< ?  (When will they start
selling advertising space on large space reflectors :-) If this type
of device is to be used for nocturnal illumination, then why are they
testing it during Full Moon?  Is it simply an engineering test,
testing the deployment mechanism, etc.?

>     Hope this helps those that are looking for it.  I will provide better
>information as I get it.

Please do.  We wouldn't want anyone's astrophotos ruined by the thing.

Curt Roelle

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

Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1993 05:20:20 GMT
From: Bruce Dunn <[e-mail]>
Subject: Space Station Freedom Media Handbook - 11/18
Newsgroups: sci.space

From NASA SPACELINK:

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Lewis Research Center

Traditional Center Roles and Responsibilities

The Lewis Research Center was established in 1941 at Cleveland,
Ohio, adjacent to the airport. It was one of three centers operated by
the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) nationwide.
The center was named for George W. Lewis, NACA's Director of
Research from 1924 to 1947. The Center developed an international
reputation for its research on jet propulsion systems in the new jet
age.

Lewis' original objective was in aeronautics propulsion research. The
Engine Research Laboratory, as it was first called, was responsible for
creating technology to improve aircraft engines and components,
studying fuels and combustion, and performing fundamental
research in those areas of physics, chemistry and metallurgy
relevant to propulsion.

In October 1958, the NACA Centers became the nucleus of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Today, Lewis
government personnel number about 2,800 people plus 1,400 on-site
contractors and the Center has 100 buildings and 500 specialized
R&D facilities spread out over 360 acres. In addition to offices and
laboratories for almost every kind of physical research such as fluid
mechanics, physics, materials, fuels, combustion, thermodynamics,
lubrication, heat transfer and electronics, Lewis has a variety of
engineering test cells for experiments with components such as
compressors, pumps, conductors, turbines, nozzles and controls.
Whereas Lewis personnel have continued their traditional work in
aircraft propulsion, they have expanded their expertise into space
propulsion, space power and satellite communications. Lewis has
managed the development of many NASA launch vehicles in the past
25 years, including the Atlas, Titan and Centaur rocket vehicles. In
space communications, Lewis is currently managing the Advanced
Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) program. Lewis is also
noted worldwide for its expertise in space power. Additionally, they
have applied this fundamental knowledge to terrestrial applications
such as solar and wind energy, automotive propulsion, advanced
technology batteries, fuel cells and biomedical engineering.
A number of large facilities at Lewis can simulate the operating
environment for a complete system: altitude chambers for aircraft
engines, large supersonic wind tunnels, space simulation chambers
for electric rockets or spacecraft and a 420-foot-deep zero-gravity
facility. Some problems are amenable to detection and solution only
in the complete system and at essentially full scale. Some of the
unique facilities supporting programs and basic research include the
following:

*       Power Systems Facility,
*       Propulsion Systems Laboratories,
*       8- by 6-foot Transonic/Supersonic Wind Tunnel,
*       9- by 15-foot Low Speed Anechoic Wind Tunnel,
*       10- by 10-foot  Supersonic Wind Tunnel,
*       Icing Research Tunnel,
*       Engine Research Building,
*       High Pressure Facility,
*       Vertical Lift Facility,
*       Electric Propulsion Laboratory,
*       Rocket Engine Test Facility,
*       Zero-Gravity Facility,
*       Energy Conversion Laboratory,
*       Power Systems Facility,
*       Materials and Structures Laboratory,
*       Materials Processing Laboratory,
*       Basic Materials Laboratory,
*       Central Process Air System,
*       Research Analysis Center, and
*       Plum Brook Space Power Facility (which includes a 100 ft.
diameter by 120 ft. high vacuum chamber, the largest in the free
world).

The new Power Systems Facility will test the Space Station Freedom
Power System. Lewis is well-prepared to manage the end-to-end
electric power system architecture for the station including solar
arrays, batteries and common power distribution.


Space Station Freedom Unique Activities (Summary)

Solar Arrays
A series of six solar array wings will be utilized to provide electric
power aboard the Space Station Freedom during its early years. Each
39- by 112-foot wing consists of two blanket assemblies, each
covered with 16,400 solar cells. Each wing blanket assembly consists
of solar cells attached to a flexible substitute, permitting the wing to
be completely stowed for deployment.

Batteries
The energy obtained from the sunlight will be stored in Nickel-
Hydrogen (Ni-H2) batteries for later use when the station is in the
Earth's shadow. A battery orbital replacement unit (ORU) is made up
of 38 Ni-H2 cells, the wiring harness and mechanical/thermal
support components. Two ORUs in series will comprise a single
battery, with a total of six batteries in each PV module.

Power Management and Distribution (PMAD)
The 160 VDC Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) system is
designed specifically to meet aerospace system requirements. The
system is based upon rapid semiconductor switching in DC to DC
Conversion Units (DDCUs) and electro-mechanical devices to tailor
voltage and energy levels of the system. The PMAD system will
deliver controlled power to many scattered and different user loads.f


Elements and Systems

Electrical Power System (EPS)
NASA Lewis Research Center is responsible for the end-to-end
electric power system architecture for the space station. The EPS
provides all user and housekeeping electrical power and is capable of
expansion as the station is assembled and grows. Initially, the EPS
will supply 18.75 kW of electrical power, which will increase to
56.25 kW at PMC (Permanently Manned Capability). The EPS consists
of power generation and energy storage subsystems grouped into a
Photovoltaic (PV) Module which feeds power into the Power
Management and Distribution (PMAD) subsystem.

Power Generation Subsystem
AJphotovoltaic (PV) power generation subsystem was selected for
the Space Station Freedom. A PV system has solar arrays for power
generation and chemical energy storage (batteries) to store excess
solar array energy during periods of sunlight and provide power
during periods of shade.

Power for the space station will be provided by flexible, deployable
solar array wings. This configuration minimizes the complexity of the
assembly process by taking advantage of the technology
demonstrated on Space Shuttle Flight STS-41B. Each 39 ft. x 112 ft.
(11.9 m. x 34.2 m.) wing consists of two blanket assemblies covered
with solar cells. These are stowed in blanket boxes which are
attached to a deployment canister. Each pair of blankets is to be
deployed and supported by an extendible mast. A tension
mechanism will supply tension to the blanket as it reaches complete
extension. The entire wing will be tied structurally to the
Photovoltaic Module by means of the beta gimbal assembly. In order
to provide the power needed during the period of space station
assembly, two solar wings and other elements of the power system
are scheduled to be carried up on each of the Photovoltaic Modules,
providing increments of 18.75 kW of power per module.

Energy Storage Subsystem
The primary purpose of the Energy Storage Subsystem (ESS) is to
provide electrical power during the eclipse portion of each orbit. The
ESS stores energy for this purpose during the isolation portion of the
orbit and is capable of providing both peaking and contingency
power. The ESS consists of six nickel-hydrogen (Ni-H2) batteries,
each with a dedicated battery charge/discharge unit (BCDU), per PV
module. This configuration is known as the full battery complement
configuration. Each of the PV modules, however, is scheduled to be
placed into orbit in the "offloaded" configuration consisting of four
batteries and BCDUs, with the final two batteries being added later.
Each battery assembly consists of two 38-cell battery ORUs. The
Ni/H2 battery design has been chosen for SSF because of its high
energy density (light weight) and proven heritage in space
applications since the early 1970s.

Solar Power Module (SPM)
The SPM consists of the power generation subsystem, the energy
storage subsystem, a PV Module thermal control subsystem and
Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) components, all
mounted on a structure called the Integrated Equipment Assembly
(IEA). The SPM generates 18.75 kW of power for the loads and is
mounted on the Space Station Freedom outboard of the alpha gimbal
assemblies. By definition, the collection of PV Modules on each end of
the Space Station Freedom are called Solar Power Modules (i.e., a
grouping of one or more Photovoltaic Modules).

The solar array wings will be mounted on the PV Module structure
by means of the beta gimbal assemblies which allow for the changes
of angle needed by the wings to track the sun as the seasons change
throughout the year. The basic structure within the PV Module
consists of the Integrated Equipment Assembly (IEA). There is one
IEA in each of the PV Modules.

The energy storage subsystem will include four batteries per Module,
at the time of the initial Man-tended Configuration. These provide
power during time periods when the sun is not visible. In later
stages of the Station assembly the four batteries will be replaced by
six per Module in order to allow for both greater eclipse power
capability and longer battery life.

The thermal control system maintains component temperatures
within safe limits by means of a coolant circulated through chilled
plates on which the components are mounted. The coolant rejects
heat into space through a radiator assembly which is also mounted
on the IEA.

The PMAD components regulate the DC voltage supplied by the
arrays to usable levels and control the charging and discharging of
the SPM batteries.

Primary Power Distribution
The 160 VDC Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) system is
designed specifically to meet aerospace system requirements. The
system is based upon rapid semiconductor switching DC to DC
Converter Units (DDCUs) and electromechanical devices to tailor
voltage and energy levels of the system.

The overall distribution equipment will include cables, load
converters, regulators switches and other electrical equipment. The
overall distribution subsystem will be composed of equipment
necessary to process, control and distribute power to other station
subsystems, elements and attached payloads.

Electrical loads will receive power from the primary power system
via secondary power switches connected to DDCUs. The DDCUs serve a
dual function in the SSF power system. First they will serve as power
transformers from primary to secondary power. Secondly, they will
act to isolate the primary power system from the secondary one. This
is beneficial in several ways. Above all, the primary power system
will not be subjected to any harmful effect due to secondary power
problems, and secondary power will not be subject to any degraded
power quality from transient primary power transmission problems.
A significant design decision for the primary power system has been
the use of the structural truss system as the principal ground system.
This has resulted in a significant reduction in cable weight for the
SSF Power System. This decision was made possible by a change in
the design of the structural truss from a composite design to a
conductive aluminum material.

Terrestrial AC power systems were used as a basis for the design of
the primary power protection system. The protection system
employs time coordinated overcurrent trip devices similar to those
found in AC electrical power distribution cabinets encountered in
everyday life. These devices are designed to detect, locate and
interrupt electrical faults in the primary system, without
endangering either personnel or equipment, while not interrupting
power to the entire SSF.


Facilities

Power Systems Facility (PSF)
The PSF provides the capability for development, testing, and
evaluation of prototype power systems hardware for the space
station program. The facility is used to test systems in support of
both the baseline program and evolutionary growth phases, to
simulate anomalies during flight, and support testing needs for
future refinements. The PSF has a total area of approximately 31,000
square feet and includes a high bay test area with Class 100,000
Clean Room capability, a loading-unloading-workshop area,
laboratory rooms and support areas. Batteries, other system
components, and the Power Management and Distribution System
will be tested in PSF. The building site has been selected for its close
proximity to the existing solar array field in recognition of the
importance of using line lengths representative of the space station
electrical power distribution system. Electrical transient interactions
are very sensitive to line lengths and component separation as well
as the detailed characteristics of the power source. While some
studies will be done using simulators for the power generation
system, others will require use of the outside solar array, powered
by the sun.f

Space Station Freedom Systems Directorate

NASA's Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, is responsible for
the Work Package 4 portion of the Space Station Freedom Program.
The Space Station Systems Directorate is responsible for the design
and development of the Electric Power System. In effect, this
Directorate is the Space Station Freedom Electrical Power System
Projects Office.

The Project Control Office's responsibilities include resources control,
contracts, administrative services, configuration management and
technical documentation. The Systems Engineering and Integration
Division performs system engineering and analysis for the overall
Electrical Power System. The Photovoltaic Power Module Division is
responsible for all activities associated with the design, development,
test, and implementation of the photovoltaic systems. The Electrical
Systems Division has responsibility for the Power Management and
Distribution System development. The Operations Division manages
all Directorate activities associated with Lewis space station power
system facilities and in planning electric power system mission
operations.

This organization currently includes approximately 250 civil
servants. There are an additional 150 people in other Lewis
organizations working on areas such as reliability and quality
assurance, loads, structural dynamics and thermal IV and V test and
evaluation, construction and outfitting of the Power Systems Facility
and power related research.

Lewis Research Center/Rocketdyne Team Support

An additional 80 contract personnel will be locally involved in the
assembly of the large solar arrays, batteries and other power system
components which will be tested in the Power Systems Facility at
Lewis and then shipped to the Kennedy Space Center. Actual

assembly of the first development photovoltaic (PV) power module
will begin in September of 1992, with testing scheduled for March of
1993. The integrated assembly and checkout function of the space
station's power modules to be done at Lewis will continue through
the end of the decade.


The material above is one of many files from SPACELINK
A Space-Related Informational Database
Provided by the NASA Educational Affairs Division
Operated by the Marshall Space Flight Center
On a Data General ECLIPSE MV7800 Minicomputer

SPACELINK may be contacted in three ways:

1) Using a modem, by phone at 205-895-0028

2) Using Telnet, at spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov

3) Using FTP capability. Username is anonymous and Password is guest.
Address is 192.149.89.61.


--
Bruce Dunn    Vancouver, Canada   [e-mail]

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End of Space Digest Volume 16 : Issue 131
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