Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT_ZIP/spacedig/V11_4/V11_412.ZIP/V11_412

Internet Message Format | 1991-07-08 | 16KB

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/AaIXqe600VcJ8TMU4h>;
          Thu, 17 May 90 01:59:06 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <saIXq=[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 17 May 90 01:58:36 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: SPACE Digest V11 #412

SPACE Digest                                     Volume 11 : Issue 412

Today's Topics:
          Re: space news from April 2 AW&ST
            Re: Voyager Update - 05/08/90
          Re: space news from April 2 AW&ST
              Voyager Update - 05/16/90
          Re: space news from April 2 AW&ST
                Re: Why no ETs
           Payload Status for 05/16/90 (Forwarded)
          Re: Contact information for Space Academy?
               Re: Sex in space
    Re: Terraforming Venus (was: Manned mission to Venus)
               Re: Sex in SPACE
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 16 May 90 08:55:06 GMT
From: mcsun!ukc!icdoc!syma![e-mail]  (Nick Watkins)
Subject: Re: space news from April 2 AW&ST

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Henry
Spencer) writes:
[ Before my comments I must say thanks to "Hawkeye" Henry for bringing this
article to my attention; I'd missed it somehow ('cos it was in Avionics
section perhaps ??)]

>Article about a hitherto-unknown NSA snoopsat system, "Jumpseat", now
>winding down.
Jumpseat has been known for about the last 10 years (see e.g. books
of Jeff Richelson, Des Ball, Duncan Campbell & Seymour Hersh). Hasn't
been mentioned much in AW&ST though (if at all).

> This was a series of eavesdropping satellites launched
>into orbits very similar to those of the Soviet Molniya comsats, for
>the purpose of listening to their communications traffic.  The program
>is winding down because the bulk of Soviet traffic now goes via Clarke
>orbit rather than the Molniyas.

>The Jumpseats were long confused ...
Well for most of 70's anyway, after that it was known that the Jumpseat
programme existed, just hard (or impossible) to distinguish individual launches.

>... with
>the Satellite Data System, thought to be a comsat system for use by
>aircraft in the Arctic and now known to be actually a relay system for
>real-time imagery from the KH-11 spysats.
As well as its role in air ground communication, and in linking US
ground stations, and (possibly) in IR detection of SLBM launches
from polar regions (which are at a very oblique angle as viewed by DSP
satellites in Clarke orbit). Latter may be a Jumpseat role instead.

>  SDS also seems to be winding
>down, presumably because new satellites -- the DSCS-3 strategic comsats,
>perhaps? -- are taking over its function.
Wouldn't TDRSS be better suited; how good is DSCS 3 at tracking (fast) moving
targets ?? TDRSS is certainly reported to be used sometimes for
Lacrosse, why not KH-11 et al.

Nick

--
Dr. Nick Watkins, Space & Plasma Physics Group, School of Mathematical
& Physical Sciences, Univ. of Sussex, Brighton, E.Sussex, BN1 9QH, ENGLAND
JANET: [e-mail]   BITNET: [e-mail]

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

Date: 16 May 90 16:58:10 GMT
From: rochester!rit!cci632![e-mail]  (Lance Michel)
Subject: Re: Voyager Update - 05/08/90

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Ralph P Carpenter) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Lance Michel) writes:
>>But why would either Voyager use ANY propellant?  I thought they were
>>finished making course corrections.
>
>    The spacecrafts are re-oriented to allow their instruments to
>point at various objects of interest.
>
>>Also, why would one Voyager use 42Gms and the other use only 6?
>
>    Voyager 1 apparently had more things to look at during this
>particular period than did Voyager 2.

# SOAP BOX ON

Okay then, why are we (the public) hearing that Voyagers are just receiving:
"Routine Science Data"!
If there is still interest in specific objects or areas, why don't we know
what's being looked at?  What bothers me the most is that once the fanfair
of a big encounter is over everybody forgets about the whole project.
Engineers stop talking, and Reporters stop reporting.  Yes many people
lose interest after "the big event", but a lot of us don't.  It seems like
a waste of good "PR" for NASA to stop talking.

# SOAP BOX OFF

FFFFEW! I feel better now.
Go Lakers Ron?

 ___________________________________________________________________________
|                                                        |  Lance Michel    |
|   "If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting..." |  [e-mail] |
|___________________________________________C._Lauper____|__________________|
          (Song stuck in my head at the moment)

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

Date: 17 May 90 03:34:36 GMT
From: agate!shelby!neon![e-mail]  (John Kallen)
Subject: Re: space news from April 2 AW&ST

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Doug Lhotka) writes:
>I seem to remember from somewhere (in First Aid Training I think) that
>breathing pure O2 is not only dangerous, but can be lethal.  When divers
>exceed the 'normal' dive limits they are breathing a mixture of helium and
>oxygen...is it possible the EVA guys do the same thing?  I realize that the
>pressure problem is reversed, but even still pure O2?  Anyone out there work
>with the systems involved who can definitively answer this question?

I recall reading a book by Jacques Cousteau describing his experiences
with the newly invented SCUBA-gear. He once went down to about 30
meters' depth with pure oxygen tubes, at which point he fainted. I
don't recall exactly why this happened. In any event, he decided
(wisely :-) to rely on mixed-gas tubes in latter dives.
_______________________________________________________________________________
 | |   |   |    |\ | |   /|\ | John Kallen        Computer: kom-pyu'-ter (n) a
 | |\ \|/ \|  * |/ | |/|  |  | PoBox 11215         device for generating errors
 | |\ /|\  |\ * |\ |   |  |  | Stanford CA 94309   speedily and unpredictably.
_|_|___|___|____|_\|___|__|__|[e-mail]___________________________

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

Date: 16 May 90 15:32:10 GMT
From: usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!mars.jpl.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Ron Baalke)
Subject: Voyager Update - 05/16/90


                  Voyager Mission Status Report
                         May 16, 1990

                           Voyager 1

     The Voyager 1 spacecraft continues to collect routine cruise science data.
On May 4 a six hour Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) observation of HD 217675 was
executed; there was no Deep Space Network (DSN) 70 meter antenna support
available therefore the downlink of this observation was not received. On
May 7 a frame of Plasma Wave (PWS) data was recorded for future playback.

     A Digital Tape Recorder (DTR) Tape Position (TAPPOS) slew was executed
in the low rate for the first time on May 8.  The tape position arrived at
was as expected however, a speed reduction of 2% was observed from the nominal
7.2 kbps slew rate.  This is a known idiosyncrasy of the DTR when operating
without the 7.2 kbps reference signal normally provided by the Flight Data
Subsystem (FDS).  This reference signal is not provided when the DTR is in
the Slew mode or when operating a non-record or playback data mode.

     Also on May 8 Playback #2, containing spacecraft roll maneuver (MAGROL)
data, was executed using the Plasma Wave Subsystem Data Playback (PWSPB) Block
Routine (BR9).  This was the first execution of this block and the spacecraft
performance was nominal.  There was however, a maximum of -0.5 db downlink
degradation introduced into the DSS 63/65 array (70 meter and 34 meter
antennas in Spain arrayed together) due to a problem with the DSS 63
sub-reflector being fixed at the 35 degree position.  The data quality appeared
to be acceptable for the playback.


                           Voyager 2

     The Voyager 2 spacecraft also continues to collect routine cruise science
data.  On May 7 and May 10 eleven hour UVS observations of Markarian 509 were
executed by the spacecraft; there was no 70 meter DSN support available for
either observation therefore downlink of this data was not received.  On
May 8 a frame of PWS data was recorded for future playback.

     A Plasma instrument calibration (PLSCAL) was executed by the spacecraft
on May 9.  Performance of the calibration was nominal and no problems were
experienced.

     The memory compare process has been completed on data received from
the FDS memory read-out performed on April 25.  The compare indicates
that the FDS memory contents are as expected.

     Spacecraft performance for all of the sequenced activity during this
report period has been nominal.


                  CONSUMABLE STATUS AS OF 5/15/90

    P R O P E L L A N T    S T A T U S          P O W E R

             Consumption
             One Week    Propellant Remaining     Output     Margin
  Spacecraft  (Gm)                (Kg)            Watts      Watts

  Voyager 1    4              36.5 + 2.0          370         59
  Voyager 2    4              39.6 + 2.0          374         66
       _   _____    _
      | | |  __ \  | |       Ron Baalke           |  [e-mail]
      | | | |__) | | |       Jet Propulsion Lab   |  [e-mail]
   ___| | |  ___/  | |___    M/S 301-355          |
  |_____| |_|      |_____|   Pasadena, CA 91109   |

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

Date: 16 May 90 07:17:31 GMT
From: [e-mail]  (Doug Lhotka)
Subject: Re: space news from April 2 AW&ST


I seem to remember from somewhere (in First Aid Training I think) that
breathing pure O2 is not only dangerous, but can be lethal.  When divers
exceed the 'normal' dive limits they are breathing a mixture of helium and
oxygen...is it possible the EVA guys do the same thing?  I realize that the
pressure problem is reversed, but even still pure O2?  Anyone out there work
with the systems involved who can definitively answer this question?

Thanks,
   Doug

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

Date: 15 May 90 22:23:23 GMT
From: attcan!utgpu!watserv1!maytag!watdragon!watyew![e-mail]  (Brian or James)
Subject: Re: Why no ETs


 The ETs avoid us because of our habit of tying
string into knots involving only a single string,
which is pornographic.
                    JDN

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

Date: 16 May 90 15:38:30 GMT
From: trident.arc.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: Payload Status for 05/16/90 (Forwarded)


    Daily Status/KSC Payload Management and Operations 05-16-90.

    - STS-31R HST (at VPF) -

    Post launch GSE removal continues.  ICBC deintegration will
    be performed today at the OPF.


    - STS-35 ASTRO-1/BBXRT (at Pad-A) -

    BBXRT GSE/LPS measurement comparisons will continue today
    along with landline validations.


    - STS-40 SLS-1 (at O&C) -

    The mission sequence test and MVAK training will continue
    today.


    - STS-41 Ulysses (at ESA 60) -

    PAM-S spin balance operations will continue today at a 60.
    VPHD preps will continue today at the VPF.


    - STS-42 IML-1 (at O&C) -

    Module pyrell foam replacement, floor staging, and rack
    staging will continue today.  Fire suppression bottle
    installation will also be perormed today.


    - STS-45 Atlas-1 (at O&C) -

    Cable installations will continue today.


    - STS-46 TSS-1 (at O&C) -

    HDRR cables were removed third shift Wednesday.


    - STS-47 Spacelab-J (at O&C) -

    No work is scheduled for today.

    - STS-55 SL-D2 (at O&C) -

    Rack 12 staging will continue today.

    - HST M&R (at O&C) -

    Paper closure will be performed today.

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

Date: 16 May 90 22:04:30 GMT
From: xavax![e-mail]  (Phillip Harbison)
Subject: Re: Contact information for Space Academy?

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Steven
Winikoff) writes:
>
> After hearing about the adult sessions at the Space Academy in
> Huntsville, I'd love to go there!  I'd like to write to them to request
> more information, but I don't have their address.  Does anyone have an
> address (preferably) or a phone number where they can be reached?

    Alabama Space and Rocket Center
    1 Tranquility Base            <-- what an address! :-)
    Huntsville, AL 35807
    205-837-3400

I called the number above and verified that this is the address for
space camp inquiries, but you may want to call first.  This is a nice
place to visit, even if you can't get enrolled in space camp.

If you do visit, drop me a line while you're in town.  The first cup
of coffee is on me!

--
Live: Phil Harbison, Xavax, P.O. Box 7413, Huntsville, AL 35807
Uucp: [e-mail]
Bell: 205-539-1672, 205-880-8951

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

Date: 17 May 90 01:44:45 GMT
From: pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!umich!ox.com!kitenet![e-mail]  (Russ Cage)
Subject: Re: Sex in space

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Keith R. Turner) writes:
>Barry Schwartz ([e-mail]) writes
>]The latest figure I heard for "space shuttle sex" is that
>]it has been done at least seven times.  Apparently it is a difficult
>]process.  You need a third person to steady you.

Not documented (obviously), and not likely either.  The married
couples who are astronauts do not fly together.  At least one pair
was rejected for a flight together because they are "too frisky",
according to a friend of mine.

>Hang on, is this humour/rumour/documented or what? I'd love to read the
>NASA mission records!

According to a recent _Analog_ article, some rather clandestine
experiments have been done in the WET-F (underwater zero-G simulator
facility).  (Wonder why any swimming pool won't do?  That part did
make me a bit suspicious...)  The conclusion is that having a third
party to help push in the right direction now and then is helpful,
just like dolphins.  The author of the article suggested the "Three
Dolphin Club" (like the Mile High Club) for those who manage it.
--
              Oversimplification doesn't solve problems, it just
[phone]          changes them into less tractable problems.
Russ Cage, Robust Software Inc.            [e-mail]

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

Date: 16 May 90 16:01:40 GMT
From: pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sunybcs!dsinc!netnews.upenn.edu!linc.cis.upenn.edu![e-mail]  (Robert Rubinoff)
Subject: Re: Terraforming Venus (was: Manned mission to Venus)

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Andrew Pettifer) writes:
>
>I've had an idea about what to do with all this excess c02


I've got an idea!  Let's ship it back here and use it to veneraform Earth!

(Well, it makes about as much sense to me as trying to terraform Venus.)

   Robert

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 16 May 90 10:51:55 EST
Subject: Re: Sex in SPACE
Source-Info:  From (or Sender) name not authenticated.



     Hmmm, if they wanted to boost the ratings of NASA Select TV...  ;-)

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

End of SPACE Digest V11 #412
*******************