Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT_ZIP/spacedig/V11_2/V11_266.ZIP/V11_266

Internet Message Format | 1991-07-08 | 17KB

Return-path: <[e-mail]>
X-Andrew-Authenticated-as: 7997;andrew.cmu.edu;Ted Anderson
Received: from beak.andrew.cmu.edu via trymail for +dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/[e-mail] (->+dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl) (->ota+space.digests)
          ID </afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr1/ota/Mailbox/ca:KJvC00VcJM5tU5X>;
          Mon, 16 Apr 90 02:26:04 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 90 02:25:20 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: SPACE Digest V11 #266

SPACE Digest                                     Volume 11 : Issue 266

Today's Topics:
         Re: Is the moon upsidedown to NASA?
        Re: releasing data / digitized images
        Re: releasing data / digitized images
               Re: Interstellar travel
              Re: National Space Society
              Re: jobs in space
          PostScript Space Pictures Request (Update)
            Re: Re^2: Interstellar travel
              Re: Fermi Paradox
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 13 Apr 90 17:51:16 GMT
From: phoenix![e-mail]  (Michael Daryl Woodhams)
Subject: Re: Is the moon upsidedown to NASA?

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>In Australia, the full moon looks to have an image of a rabbit with
>big ears on the left, with some buckshot passing by its left (right to us)
>ear.
>In the northern hemisphere, is this upside down?
I tried to mail a response but failed.
I have recently moved to the northern hemisphere from New Zealand. The
answer to you question is yes, everything is upside down down here.

Michael Woodhams.

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

Date: 14 Apr 90 19:14:49 GMT
From: ns-mx!iowasp![e-mail]
Subject: Re: releasing data / digitized images

Much has been said recently about whether or not NASA should immediately
release scientific data (specifically images) to the public without the
benefit of expert analysis by the investigators associated with the
particular project.  Here's my $0.02-worth:

The principle justification for the immediate release of data is that
is was paid for with taxpayers' dollars.  It is equally true that
taxpayers' dollars have supported a large portion of the research
and development in commercial industry (especially "defense"-related
industry).  Should we demand that their data be released to the
public?  Perhaps the person from HP would like to begin by releasing
that company's data which has been derived from federal or state
contracts.

In sharp contrast, NASA researchers "live to publish."  Their primary
reason for collecting the data is to analyze it and publish the
results.  Further, it is typical that the original data becomes
public domain after one or two years.  I find it difficult to believe
that taxpayers would feel cheated by this.

Many of the research scientists involved in projects like Galileo and
the HST have spent 20 years or more of their lives working on those
projects and waiting for data.  One year's exclusive rights to raw data
doesn't seem to be an extravagant reward.

On the other hand, taxpayers might justifiably complain about access
to public domain data.  The costs related to locating/extracting/copying
data from an existing archive would generally be too high for most
organizations (not to mention individuals) to handle.  However, current
technology (DAT, CDROM, etc.) makes it possible to consider copying these
archives to a more manageable media, making routine general distribution
of NASA data sets possible.  Your elected representatives and NASA
administrators should be made aware of your desires for ready access to
these data so that archiving and cataloging projects might receive the
funding they require.  (Believe me, I hate to watch 100 thousand digital
and analog tapes deteriorate in a dirty warehouse with practically no
environmental controls here at Iowa.  The hardware to read these 7-track
digital tapes and 14-inch-diameter analog tapes cannot be maintained
much longer, and the age of these tapes and poor storage conditions have
already rendered many of them unreadable.  I wouldn't be surprised if all
the data from Van Allen's original Explorer experiments are lost, and
much of the data from Hawkeye, IMP, ISEE, DE, Pioneer, Voyager, etc.,
are well on their way to becoming unreadable.  . . . But that's another
soapbox.)

(Standard disclaimers . . . my opinions)

-Larry    [e-mail]    IOWASP::GRANROTH

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

Date: 13 Apr 90 15:58:00 GMT
From: apollo![e-mail]  (Steve Rehrauer)
Subject: Re: releasing data / digitized images

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Ted Fabian) writes:
>I don't think that it will.. if you have a need to get the data, you're
>either already in such a position, or you know how to get the data without
>complaining openly to the world about it..
>
>rather, I think the things we're seeing in SCI.SPACE as of late are from
>people who don't have a need to have the data.. they simply want the data
>either as a status symbol, or as some sort of ego booster..

"We don't have the resources to make the pictures available to you in a
suitable format" seems a valid defense.  I could believe & accept that.

"We won't make them available to you because *you* don't really need them"
seems a rather bull-shittish response, considering whose tax-dollars funded
the (coming) acquisition of those pictures in the first place.

(No flames at you personally.  I'd be happy to have access to such pictures,
though I candidly admit that my own reasons for wanting them are trivial,
and therefore my satisfaction isn't worth much NASA effort / expense.)
--
   >>"Aaiiyeeee!  Death from above!"<<     | (Steve) [e-mail]
"Spontaneous human combustion - what luck!"| Apollo Computer (Hewlett-Packard)

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

Date: 13 Apr 90 17:02:38 GMT
From: haven!aplcen!aplvax.jhuapl.edu![e-mail]  (Jim Meritt)
Subject: Re: Interstellar travel


Why make this into a physics problem?  Make it a biology problem.
If you can't shorten the trip, lengthen the lifespan/patience of the
travelers!


That that is is that that is. That that is not is that that is not.
That that is is not that that is not.  That that is not is not that that is.
And that includes these opinions, which are solely mine!
[e-mail]  - or - [e-mail]  - or - meritt%aplvm.BITNET

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

Date: 13 Apr 90 06:13:19 GMT
From: agate!agate![e-mail]  (William Baxter)
Subject: Re: National Space Society


It has come to my attention that NSS President Charles Walker recently
wrote to Secretary of Commerce Robert Mosbacher to tell him that the NSS
represents grass-roots opinion about commercial space.  This claim is
based on surveys such as the one Dave Smith posted.

Let Secretary Mosbacher whether the NSS and Charles Walker speak for
you, and what you think about commercial space.  Print out a copy of the
survey and send it to him with your comments.

Secretary Robert A. Mosbacher
Department of Commerce
14th St. between Constitution Ave. and E. St. NW
Washington, DC 20230

Here is the survey:

National Survey No. 2370938476 T/F

1. Given the undisputed fact that space program innovations have provided a
variety of benefits for life here on Eath - from weather forecasting, to
scratch-resistant glass, to laser heart surgery - how would you rank the
importance of the space program to our nation.  Would you say it is:

Very important
Important
Not important

2. How important is the continued exploration of space - the search for new
planets, new stars, new life - to you personally?  Is it:
Very important
Important
Not important

3. Scientists have long debated the question: Are we alone? In your opinion,
what is the likelihood that there are other forms of intelligent life in the
universe?

Very likely
Likely
Unlikely

4. President Reagan committed the U.S. to a permanently manned Space Station
in much the same way that President Kennedy committed the nation to putting
a man on the moon,  How do you view the idea of a permanently manned Space
Station?  Do you regard it:

Very favorably
Favorably
Unfavorably

5. Over the years, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
has been responsible for virtually every facet of America's space program,
including such success stories as Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and the Space
Shuttle.  What is you assessment of the job NASA has done?  Do you:

Strongly approve
Approve
Disapprove

6. For years, America led the world into space.  But [sic] now it is argued
that other countries have equalled or even surpassed, America's space prowess.
In your opinion, where does America's civilian space program stand in
relation to those of other nations?  Is it:

Ahead of other countires
Even with other countries
Behind other countries

7. In your view, where should America's civilian space program be in relation
to other nations?  Should it be:

Ahead of other countries
Even with other countries
Behind other countries

8. Maintaining U.S. leadership in space will require increasing NASA's budget
to about 1% of the total federal budget - about $2 billion a year.  Do you
agree that this is a reasonable amount to pay for continued exploration of the
universe and the advancements that would surely result from it?

Agree
Disagree
No opinion

9. Would you be willing to spend just a few pennies a day in support of the
National Space Society's efforts to ensure that America continues the
greatest adventure humandkind may ever know - the exploration of space?

YES (if yes, please see form below
No

            Membership Acceptance Form

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



--
William Baxter

ARPA: web@{garnet,brahms,math}.Berkeley.EDU
UUCP: {sun,dual,decwrl,decvax,hplabs,...}!ucbvax!garnet!web

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

Date: 12 Apr 90 15:45:30 GMT
From: mailrus!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!torsqnt!lethe!tvcent!comspec!censor!utzoo![e-mail]  (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: jobs in space

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Timothy Andre) writes:
>... My ultimate desire is to be Mission Specialist
>for NASA.  I have noticed that most Mission Specialists have their Ph.D.s, some
>in EE.  I am considering continuing for my PhD, but wonder if it is really
>necessary...

Okay, time to dust off my standard posting on this:


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.  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
    the long-term effects are poorly understood.  For that matter, avoid
    any other significant medical unknowns.)  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 the security people
    consider 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).
    Think space:  they want highly motivated people, so lose no chance
    to demonstrate motivation.  Keep trying.  Be lucky.
--
With features like this,      |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
who needs bugs?               | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry [e-mail]

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

Date: 10 Apr 90 06:10:24 GMT
From: ccncsu![e-mail]  (Kirk Pearson)
Subject: PostScript Space Pictures Request (Update)

Just a note to all the people who have sent me requests for a PostScript
picture site: I have stored all your addresses and will mail anything I find
out as soon as I get it.  So far I have only received requests for the info
and no actual info :-)

Now, to repeat my original request: if anyone knows of where some PostScript
space pictures exist (ftp site, etc.), please e-mail the address to me.  If
you would like to get the PSpictures addresses also, please e-mail to me,
rather than post a "me too" and I will forward any information I get.  Thanks!

|      |      |      |     |    |    |    |   |   |   |   |  |  | | | | ||||||
     ___  __   ___                 Kirk Pearson
    /   \/  \ |   \                uunet!csu-cs!pearson
  _/         \|    \               [e-mail]
                \__            pearson%handel.cs.colostate.edu@cunyvm

Time sneaks up on you like a windshield on a bug. -- Jon Lithgow
|      |      |      |     |    |    |    |   |   |   |   |  |  | | | | ||||||

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

Date: 16 Apr 90 00:11:55 GMT
From: usc!cs.utexas.edu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!utzoo![e-mail]  (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Re^2: Interstellar travel

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Thomas Cervera) writes:
>  I'd just like to know how one feels when interplanetary matter (meteors) or
>interstellar matter (gases and dust) collides with the spacecraft at .12 c ;-)
>  I'm not really sure, but if my memory serves me right, Sirius (Canis Minor
>alpha), for example, is somewhat 11 ly apart. A trip to that star (it's not
>the closest, I know) would take decades (spacecraft's time) at .12 c.
>  This implies a high probability of such collisions, IMHO.

The Daedalus report, which planned a nominal mission to Barnard's Star,
six LY, at about that speed, concluded that this was manageable.  In
their design, about one-tenth of the interstellar cruise mass was the
bow shield, designed to severe worst-case assumptions; a good bit of that
would be lost to ablation by dust grains during the mission, and it
would run moderately warm due to gas and dust throughout.  Hitting
something large would vaporize the whole probe, of course, but that is
relatively unlikely -- interstellar space is very empty.

Serious fractions of the speed of light start to pose larger problems.
In particular, the protons and electrons composing the interstellar gas
start to look like high-energy radiation in substantial quantities.
--
With features like this,      |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
who needs bugs?               | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry [e-mail]

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

Date: 15 Apr 90 05:06:59 GMT
From: phoenix![e-mail]  (David Jay Rostker)
Subject: Re: Fermi Paradox


    Am I confused? I thought that Fermi's Paradox stated that we would
never find an advanced technology. The reasoning was that any
technologically advanced civilization capable of space travel or at
least capable of communication with us would have destroyed itself by
now.
    I used to believe this idea, but that was about five or six years
ago, when everyone was afraid of nuclear war. NOw that tension has
relaxed, I don't feel it's true.
    Do I have the right paradox?
                         Dave Rostker ([e-mail])

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

End of SPACE Digest V11 #266
*******************