Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/pc/text/daily_2/930719.dfc

Text File | 1993-07-31 | 17KB | 391 lines

19-Jul-93 Daily File Collection
   These files were added or updated between 18-Jul-93 at 21:00:00 {Central}
                                         and 19-Jul-93 at 21:04:04.

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7/07/93:  FIRST GAMMA-RAY ENERGY SKY MAP AVAILABLE

Paula Cleggett-Haleim
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                                      July 8, 1993


Michael Finneran
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

EDITORS NOTE:  N93-40

    The first map of the whole sky in gamma-ray energies is based on data
from the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., Compton Gamma-Ray
Observatory's Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope.

    The orbiting satellite has been collecting data for the map since
deployment on April 5, 1991, from the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

- end -
     Source:NASA Spacelink    Modem:205-895-0028  Internet:192.149.89.61
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7/08/93:  NASA STUDY REFINES ESTIMATES OF AMAZON DEFORESTATION

Brian Dunbar
July 8, 1993
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

Allen Kenitzer
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

RELEASE: 93-119

     Tropical deforestation and adverse effects on tropical forest habitat have
increased in the Brazilian Amazon Basin since the late 1970s, a University of
New Hampshire- NASA study has revealed.

     Data from the Landsat-4 and -5 satellites covering 1978-88 indicate that
although the extent of deforestation is less than expected, deforestation has
increased substantially and created adverse "edge effects" that pose a
substantial threat to the habitat of plant and animal species.

     The study indicates that between 1978 and 1988, the rate of deforestation
in the Brazilian Amazon Basin was 6,000 square miles (15,000 square kilometers)
per year.  Results of the study, conducted at NASA's Goddard Space Flight
Center, Greenbelt, Md., and the University of New Hampshire, Durham, will be
published in the June 25 issue of Science magazine.

     "We are seeing less deforestation than had been expected," said David
Skole, Ph.D., a research assistant professor with the Institute for the Study
of Earth, Oceans and Space at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Skole is the
lead author of the Science paper. "Our study helps clarify actual greenhouse
gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, resulting from tropical deforestation."

     "Although we found lower deforestation than previously estimated, the
effect upon biological diversity is greater," said Compton Tucker, Ph.D., a
research scientist in the Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics at the Goddard
Center. Dr. Tucker was co-author on the paper.


     Skole and Tucker studied more than 200 Landsat satellite images, covering
the entire forested portion of the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Using Landsat images
and a computerized geographic information system, they made specific
measurements of deforestation, fragmented forest and edge effects.  A
fragmented forest is forest surrounded by deforested area. "Edge effects" are
the destruction or degradation of natural habitat that occur on the fringes of
fragmented forests.  These effects include greater exposure to wind, weather,
foraging livestock, other non-forest animals and humans.

     Tropical deforestation increases atmospheric carbon dioxide and has
profound implications for biological diversity through destruction of habitat.
The conversion of forests to cropland and pasture increases atmospheric carbon
dioxide because the carbon content of the forests is higher than that of the
agricultural crops that replace them.

     Carbon dioxide and several other gases in the atmosphere trap heat
radiating from the Earth's surface toward space.  In doing so, they act
similarly to the glass in a greenhouse, which also traps heat, creating the
"greenhouse effect."

     NASA funded the research as part of its Mission to Planet Earth, a
long-term program that is studying how the global environment is changing.
Using the unique perspective available from space, NASA is observing
large-scale environmental processes, such as the role of forests in climate
change.

     The goal of Mission to Planet Earth is to allow humans to better
understand natural environmental changes and to distinguish natural changes
from human-induced changes, such as deforestation caused by expanding
agriculture.  Mission to Planet Earth data, which NASA will distribute to
researchers worldwide, is essential to humans making informed decisions about
protecting their environment.

     The GSFC-University of New Hampshire study typifies NASA's efforts to work
with researchers outside the agency to reduce uncertainty about important
environmental issues.  These ground-based analyses of satellite data will help
quantify environmental changes and clarify the interaction of large
environmental systems, such as the tropical forest and climate.

     While occupying less than 7 percent of the Earth's surface, tropical
forests are home to more than half of all plant and animal species.
Deforestation is leading to massive extinction of species, including - for the
first time - large numbers of vascular plant species, such as trees.

     "The primary cause of Brazilian deforestation in the last two decades can
be attributed primarily to agricultural expansion," Tucker said.


     The Brazilian Amazon is the largest contiguous tropical forest region in
the world.  Worldwide estimates of tropical deforestation range from 27,000
square miles (69,000 square kilometers) per year in 1980 to 64,000 square miles
(165,000 square kilometers) in the late 1980s.

     The Amazon Basin of Brazil includes all or part of 8 Brazilian states,
covering 2 million square miles (5 million square kilometers).  In that region,
1.6 million square miles (4 million square kilometers) are forested, 330,000
square miles (850,000 square kilometers) are tropical savanna and 35,000 square
miles (90,000 square kilometers) are water.

     By using satellite data and the geographic information system, scientists
can explicitly map, or stratify, different categories of the Earth's geographic
features, such as forests and grasslands, providing a means to compare
deforestation results from other studies.

     As the second generation of American remote sensing satellites, Landsat-4
was launched July 16, 1982 and Landsat-5 was launched on March 1, 1984; both
from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Delta rockets.
     Source:NASA Spacelink    Modem:205-895-0028  Internet:192.149.89.61
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7/19/93:  FINARELLI APPOINTED HEAD OF STRATEGIC PLANNING

Jeff Vincent
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
July 19, 1993



RELEASE:  93-132

    NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin today announced a key appointment
to broaden the agency's strategic planning effort.  Margaret G. Finarelli,
currently NASA's Associate Administrator for Policy Coordination and
International Relations, is being named as the Assistant for Strategic Planning
reporting to John R. Dailey, Associate Deputy Administrator.

    Goldin emphasized the importance of upcoming activity to the future of
NASA. "Peggy Finarelli is ideally suited for this assignment.  She brings a
wealth of experience and knowledge to a task that is critical to our future in
space," Goldin said.

    Finarelli joined NASA in 1981 as Chief of the International Planning
and Programs Office. From 1986 until December 1988, she was Director of the
Policy Division in the Office of Space Station, Washington, D.C. She was NASA's
chief negotiator for the international agreements which govern U.S. cooperation
with Europe, Japan and Canada in the Space Station program.  She was appointed
Deputy Associate Administrator for External Relations in 1988 and Associate
Administrator for Policy Coordination and International Relations in 1991.

    Prior to joining NASA, Finarelli served in a number of positions in
other U.S. government agencies including Senior Policy Analyst for
International Science and Technology at the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy and Technical Advisor at the Arms Control and Disarmament
Agency.

    She graduated Magna Cum Laude with Distinction in chemistry from the
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and received a master's degree in
physical chemistry from Drexel University, Philadelphia. She is a member of Phi
Beta Kappa and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Space
University

    In 1985, Finarelli was awarded NASA's Exceptional Service Medal. In
1988 she was selected for the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award, which
recognizes outstanding service by members of the U.S. Senior Executive Service.
And in 1989, she received the Women in Aerospace Outstanding Achievement Award.
In 1991, she earned NASA's Exceptional Achievement Medal.

    Effective Aug.1, 1993, Robert W. Clarke will assume the
responsibilities of Associate Administrator for Policy Coordination and
International Relations. Clark will be on extended detail from the Department
of State to NASA.

     Source:NASA Spacelink    Modem:205-895-0028  Internet:192.149.89.61
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KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT 7/19/93




        KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
                      Monday, July 19, 1993


KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham




              MISSION: STS-51  ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS


VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103             ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B                    INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: TBD                      CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: TBD
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: TBD
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (an additional
day on orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics and allow)

IN WORK TODAY:
*  Troubleshooting of the ground pyrotechnic initiator controller
*  Argon servicing of the ORFEUS payload
*  Trickle charge on ACTS batteries

WORK SCHEDULED:
*  Ordnance installation and reconnect operations
*  Load onboard cryogenic reactants
*  Aft engine compartment closeouts and aft confidence test
*  Final payload bay closeouts and close payload bay doors for
   flight

WORK COMPLETED:
*  Open payload bay doors
*  Off load of onboard cryogenic tanks
*  Ordnance disconnect and safing operations
*  Remove mid-deck payloads for reservicing


NOTE: Launch of the space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-51 was scrubbed
Saturday at the T-20 minute mark due to a problem with a switch in the
pyrotechnic initiator controller (PIC) which governs the pyrotechnic circuits
on the Shuttle. The problem was narrowed down to a prematurely charged
capacitor in the firing circuit of all eight Solid Rocket Booster hold down
posts and the T-0 liquid hydrogen vent arm, located on the side of the external
tank.  This charge is normally initiated at the T-18 second mark.

     Work to repair the circuit, located on the mobile launcher platform, is
now underway.

     A specific launch date has yet to be determined.  NASA managers are
discussing launch day options.


     The five members of astronaut crew departed for their homes in Houston on
Saturday. Their schedule to return to KSC will be determined by the setting of
a new launch date.

     The crew for this mission include: Commander Frank Culbertson, Pilot Bill
Readdy, and Mission Specialists Jim Newman, Dan Bursch and Carl Walz.
     Source:NASA Spacelink    Modem:205-895-0028  Internet:192.149.89.61
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DAILY NEWS/TV SKED 7-19-93

Daily News
Monday, July 19, 1993
Two Independence Square; Washington, D.C.
Audio Service:202/358-3014


 % STS-51 launch delayed;
 % HST observations;
 % JSC Director to retire.

Officials decided to scrub Space Shuttle's Discovery's STS-51 mission Saturday,
July 17, at about 8:52 a.m.  EDT because all eight of the solid rocket booster
hold down bolts and the T-0 liquid hydrogen vent arm, located on the side of
the external tank, were prematurely charged with current.  This charge is
normally initiated at the T-18 second mark in the countdown.

Schedules have been made to drain the orbiter's fuel cell storage tanks and to
disconnect or safe pyrotechnic initiator controllers in various areas of the
vehicle and payload.  Officials estimate this work will be completed today,
allowing time to troubleshoot the pyrotechnic racks inside the mobile launcher
platform.

At this time, a new launch date has not been decided.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Recent NASA Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations indicate that a class of
active galaxies further support the theory that they are fueled by a massive
black hole at the center.  This observation rules out vigorous star formation
as the alternative explanation for the mysterious power source behind quasars
and extremely bright galactic nuclei.

Alexei V. Filippenko, Professor of Astronomy, University of California at
Berkeley, states that "Our observations provide perhaps the most direct
evidence to date that normal Seyfert galaxies and quasars are not powered by a
burst of star formation." Filippenko further explained that the most likely
alternative is the standard model in which the energy is provided by matter
falling into a black hole.

The Seyfert galaxies are nearby galaxies with extremely bright central regions
that often obscure the much dimmer stars in the surrounding galaxy.  Quasars
are among the most distant objects in the universe and can be seen from earth
because they are so bright.  Seyfert and Quasars, collectively referred to as
active galactic nuclei (AGN), give off a enormous amount of energy.

A black hole is a theoretical object that is so compact its intense gravity
prevents even light from escaping.  In the standard model for AGNs , dust, gas
and stars falling into the black hole heat up as they collide and release
tremendous amounts of radiation.

Previous HST observation have found additional circumstantial evidence for the
presence of massive black holes in the core of active galaxies: dust disks,
"light- cones" of ionizing radiation and extremely dense stellar concentrations
consistent with theoretical models for the presence of a black hole.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Johnson Space Center Director Aaron Cohen recently announced his retirement
effective August 20.  Cohen has accepted appointment as the Zachry Professor of
Engineering at Texas A&M University. Paul J. Weitz, Deputy Director of the
Johnson Space Center, will act as Director upon Cohen's departure.

Cohen has more than 33 years of distinguished service with the government, 31
of those years with NASA. NASA Administrator Goldin said "Aaron represents all
of the finest you can hope for in a government servant.  His career and his
accomplishments speak for themselves.  He provides a benchmark.  He has brought
technical excellence, integrity, dedication and leadership to the Johnson Space
Center and NASA. His career serves as an example to us all, and he leaves
behind a lasting legacy."

Goldin announced that Cohen will serve as Special Consultant to the
Administrator on human flight as well as research technology along with his
responsibilities at Texas A&M.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


         Here's the broadcast schedule for Public Affairs events on NASA TV.
Note that all events and times may change without notice and that all times
listed are Eastern.

Monday, July 19, 1993

        noon            NASA Today.
        12:15 pm        The Night Sky with Dr. Rich Terrile.
        12:30 pm        America's Wings.
          1:00 pm       Apollo 10 Sorting Out Unknowns.
          1:30 pm       Magenetic Effects In Space.
          2:00 pm       Starfinder #3.
          2:30 pm       Our Laboratories in Space.
          3:00 pm       TQM #3.

Tuesday, July 20, 1993

        noon            NASA Today.
        12:15 pm        Aeronautics & Space Report.
        12:30 pm        Apollo 11 Anniversary/KISS: Apollo.
          1:00 pm       Apollo 11: For All Mankind.
          1:30 pm       Return to the Red Planet.
          2:00 pm       Starfinder #4.
          2:30 pm       Life on the Moon.
          3:00 pm       TQM #4.


NASA TV is carried on GE Satcom F2R, transponder 13, C-Band, 72 degrees West
Longitude, transponder frequency is 3960 MHz, audio subcarrier is 6.8 MHz,
polarization is vertical.
     Source:NASA Spacelink    Modem:205-895-0028  Internet:192.149.89.61
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    The first line of the file:

LAUNCH DELAY INFORMATION / PRE-LAUNCH INFORMATION

     Source:NASA Spacelink    Modem:205-895-0028  Internet:192.149.89.61
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