Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/pc/text/spacedig/v15_1/v15no197.txt

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Date: Mon, 14 Sep 92 05:00:26
From: Space Digest maintainer <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Space Digest V15 #197
To: Space Digest Readers
Precedence: bulk


Space Digest                Mon, 14 Sep 92       Volume 15 : Issue 197

Today's Topics:
      African culture, demographics (was Terraforming) (2 msgs)
                         Clinton, Gore, Space
                      Clinton and Space Funding
                      ESA Council meeting report
                  European students design satellite
         Is NASA really planning to Terraform Mars? (3 msgs)
                             Mars Direct
                               Mirrors
         Old data formats (was New lunar spacecraft) (2 msgs)
                      Small comet impact theory
                          Terraforming Mars
                   Terraforming needs to begin now
                         Toward 2001 - 14 Sep
              Understanding human behavious in isolation

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Date: Sun, 13 Sep 92 16:34:00 BST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: African culture, demographics (was Terraforming)

Josh:

I'm not at home where I could pull out the demographic and
anthropological stuff, but it basically comes down to this:

Much of african tribal culture is based on a very stable extended
family. The cost of an extra child, in or out of wedlock, is not very
high for the child bearer. On the other hand, the increased number of
children is seen as a means of security in old age.

In most other cultures the cost of extra children has caused a
decrease in their desirability once the demographic transition has
been completed. This has thus far not been the case in Africa. That
is not to say that it will always be the case: that is my point.
There are already independant stirrings with SOME african nations
that maybe the cultural pattern does need to change, and that it is
not merely western cultural imperialism: their own survival is at
stake.

I seriously doubt it will go as far as the "four horsemen", but they
are always there to "concentrate the mind most wonderfully". There is
really not much the outside world can do except keep up a gentle
pressure to assist those on the inside who are attempting to change
ancient ways of thinking.


If you are really interested, I can probably dig up a title or two. I
have no idea if they are in print, but they might be available
through university libraries (one of them was a special source book
put together for a CMU university wide course on world population,
done in ~1986)

It is really rather difficult to explain complex demographic and
cultural interactions in anything less than the scale of a full text
book. Although I find this discussion quite interesting, I think it
is getting a bit far afield...







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

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1992 17:07:39 GMT
From: Josh 'K' Hopkins <[e-mail]>
Subject: African culture, demographics (was Terraforming)
Newsgroups: sci.space

[e-mail] writes:

>Josh:

>Much of african tribal culture is based on a very stable extended
>family. The cost of an extra child, in or out of wedlock, is not very
>high for the child bearer. On the other hand, the increased number of
>children is seen as a means of security in old age.

I would agree with that to an extent.  However, figures I have seen (admitedly
not from unbiased sources and not ones I can find and cite here) suggest that
large numbers of third world women would happily have fewer children if that
were an option.  Granted "fewer children" may mean five instead of eight, but
I think you get my point.

>I seriously doubt it will go as far as the "four horsemen", but they
>are always there to "concentrate the mind most wonderfully". There is
>really not much the outside world can do except keep up a gentle
>pressure to assist those on the inside who are attempting to change
>ancient ways of thinking.

Agreed.  IMHO, we need to help those who are moving in the right direction.
Since the mid 80's under Reagan, America has stopped giving any aid to the UN
agency that deals with population because they were upset about the Chinese
using abortions as a method of population control. I think we should be taking
a moderate approach, rather than "forcing Africans at gunpoint.." which was a
caricature from the laissez faire side of my point of view or the "someone will
solve it before it becomes a problem - let's go have a beer" view that the
laissez faire side seems to have.

> Although I find this discussion quite interesting, I think it
>is getting a bit far afield...

Agreed :)  I'm done.  I suggest anyone who wants to continue should move to
another newsgroup or take it to e-mail.


--
Josh Hopkins        "I believe that there are moments in history when challenges
                     occur of such a compelling nature that to miss them is to
[e-mail]   miss the whole meaning of an epoch.  Space is such a
                     challenge"       - James A. Michener

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

Date: 13 Sep 92 16:57:47 GMT
From: John McDonald <[e-mail]>
Subject: Clinton, Gore, Space
Newsgroups: sci.space

I think something is missing from the discussion of the
Democratic position on space.

The one thing no one has noticed, is that both SSF and
the Shuttle are PORK BARREL projects.  NO president, Dem
or GOP or Lib or Green, would dump these projects outright.
Both projects represent thousands of jobs and billions of
dollars for the economies of the communities that host
NASA centers.  To suggest that a president would outright
dump such an economic boon is absurd.

The space station depends on the Shuttle for its very
existence.  So, support the space station and you support
the Shuttle.

The advocation of alternative launch systems does not
preclude the perpetuation of the Shuttle program, and
may even save us a little money on the way.  Am i the
only one who questioned why we were spending half a billion
bucks to save a privately owned communications satellite?
Am i the only one who wonders if it is worth half a billion
bucks to study whether wasps will reproduce in space?

I happen to think the space station is a pretty good idea,
but i have no illusions about its purpose.  It is primarily
to be build to keep corporations in business.  When in orbit,
it will be used to develop technologies that basically support
the businesses with the occasional spin-off to the public.

But if someone were to tell me that the SSF monies were to be
taken and given to smaller unmanned projects like a mission to
Pluto, Cassini, Magellan's survival, COBE, etc... then i would
have no hesitation.  The knowledge return per dollar is much
higher for those smaller missions....

John McDonald
begin 664 signature.uu
M:F]H;E\M7U\M7U\M7U\M7U\M7U\M7U\M7U\M7U\M7U\M7VUC9&]N86QD"@E!
M<G1I<W1S(%!R;W9O:V4@06QI96YS"E]?+5]?+5]?+5]?+5]?+5]?+5]?+5]?
M+5]?+5]?+5]?+5]?+5]?+5]?+0IC96YT97(@(" @("!F;W(@(" @("!E=78@
2(" @("!A<W1R;W!H>7-I8W,*

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

Date: 13 Sep 92 15:04:40 GMT
From: "Frederick A. Ringwald" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Clinton and Space Funding
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro,talk.politics.space,alt.politics.bush,alt.politics.clinton

In article <[e-mail]>
[e-mail] (Vignes Gerard M) writes:

>     but we also know that Clinton and Gore are
>     hostile to technology and research spending
>     and especially to projects involving
>     space exploration and astronomy.

Would you or someone else please explain this, particularly this last
item? I can't say I'm too enthusiastic about the other side, either, as
the last four years have not gone well. My three best job prospects are
all abroad, so it looks like I ought to emigrate. Just the same, I'll
leave an absentee ballot. I'll miss the dear old U.S.A., but I worked
hard to get up from nothing into the cultural elite: it'd be a shame to
quit now.

Fred Ringwald
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH 03755-3528 U.S.A. (for the time being, at least)

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

Date: 12 Sep 92 20:51:59 GMT
From: Bev Freed <[e-mail]>
Subject: ESA Council meeting report
Newsgroups: sci.space

European Space Agency

09 September 1992

            STATUS REPORT ON THE ESA COUNCIL MEETING

                        9 SEPTEMBER 1992

The ESA Council, meeting in Paris on 8 September 1992, considered
the evolution of the planning for the Agency's policy and
programmes which was previously discussed in Council in June and
July 1992.

Since these previous meetings, further budget constraints in the
Agency's Member States have emerged and new perspectives have
opened up for wider cooperation with international partners, in
particular with Russia, and beyond the already existing close
cooperation with the US, for the realisation of Europe's space
objectives including manned spaceflight.

The plan presented to Delegations still contains a financial
envelope of around Ecu 22 billion in the planning of the Agency's
activities covering the years from 1993-2000, which includes a
reduction of about Ecu one billion compared to the earlier
spending proposed by the Agency.

One of the main features of the new proposal consists of the
introduction of a reorientation phase which will be devoted to
intensive studies with Russia on a possible joint development of
a future space transportation vehicle and some servicing
elements.  In addition, the new proposal contains definition
studies on the different steps leading to a Euro-Russian Space
Station, starting with an ESA contribution to Mir 2.  This
cooperation will, after the first years, be developed on a non-
exchange of funds basis.

This phase is to be completed within the next three years after
which decisions concerning the follow-on of these programmes will
be taken.

Delegations expressed their support for the realistic approach
taken by ESA, in particular as far as the budgetary possibilities
of the Agency's Member States are concerned.  The new proposal
offered a good basis for preparing the Ministerial Council
meeting in Granada on 9-10 November 1992.

It was also appreciated that the allocation for the Science,
Earth Observation, and Telecommunications programmes, as now
envisaged, would be maintained and thus allow ESA to carry
through an ambitious programme and to take on a leading role, in
particular in the field of Earth observation from space dealing
with environmental problems.

Concerning the increased cooperation with other international
partners, in particular with Russia, and the joint development of
a future space transportation system and of a joint future space
station, Delegations welcomed the emphasis of the Director
General's proposal for a more international approach with regard
to these programmes associated with man in space.

Delegations observed that more analyses had still to be carried
out in the coming two months before the Ministerial Council
meeting, and the Director General was asked to prepare a final
proposal with regard to the content of the programmes envisaged
in the new strategy.






--
Bev Freed - via FidoNet node 1:129/104
UUCP: ...!pitt!nss!freed
INTERNET: [e-mail]

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

Date: 12 Sep 92 20:51:39 GMT
From: Bev Freed <[e-mail]>
Subject: European students design satellite
Newsgroups: sci.space

European Space Agency

31 August 1992

           EUROPEAN STUDENTS DESIGN SATELLITE AT ESTEC

Twenty European technical students from 10 countries - ranging
from Portugal to Poland -- recently met for a two-week workshop
to learn how a satellite is designed and built, as a course of
intensive practical training to supplement their university
studies.  The workshop took place at ESTEC, the European Space
Agency's Space Research and Technology Centre, located in
Noordwijk in The Netherlands, from 3 to 14 August.

This educational project was initiated and organised by EUROAVIA,
the European Association of Aerospace Students, with the support
of ESA and leading aerospace companies throughout Europe.

The workshop was centered on designing a scientific satellite,
named ECOWATCHER, which could accomplish a parallel mission
complementing ESA's future Polar Orbiting Earth Mission (POEM-1)
in the field of observation of the Earth and its environment.

Through its main instrument, a SCanning Imaging Absorption
spectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY, SCIAMACHY for short,
ECOWATCHER would monitor certain processes in the Earth's
atmosphere from a 41 degree inclination orbit.  Data collected by
this instrument on trace gases in the lower layers of the
atmosphere (the troposphere and stratosphere), will help
scientists to better understand atmospheric chemistry in the sub-
and tropical regions of the Earth which are the main drivers of
the climate of our planet.

A preliminary design was reached by the end of the workshop.  The
heavy demands and stringent specifications put forward by the
scientific community provided a real challenge for all the
students.  Senior specialists from ESA/ESTEC and aerospace
companies advised and monitored the 20 very enthusiastic and
highly motivated students during the two-week seminar.

Once again ESTEC, ESA's largest establishment with a population
of 1750 staff from 15 different countries, has served as a focal
point for the successful integration of people from many
different cultural and educational backgrounds, and for
stimulating the young to take up space-related careers in an
international work environment.

The workshop was preceded by the EUROAVIA Design Contest, a
competition open to all European technical students.  The
participants wrote essays to demonstrate their interest in space
technology, on topics that ranged from proposals for a scientific
mini-satellite to studies on extraterrestrial life forms and
space law matters.  A jury of experts selected the 20 best, and
their authors were then invited to take part in the workshop.

The EUROAVIA Design Contest & Workshop 1992 was sponsored by
ESA/ESTEC, Fokker Space & Systems (NL), DARA (D), Kayser-Threde
(D), MAN Technologie (D), Dassault Aviation (F), Matra Marconi
Space (F-GB), the Delft University of Technology (NL), the
Polytechnic of Haarlem (NL), and the Dutch Space Research
Organisation SRON (NL).

EUROAVIA was founded in 1959 and now has 24 local groups in 13
European countries.  The association is run exclusively by
aerospace students; its goals are to promote and develop European
cooperation in the aerospace domain.




--
Bev Freed - via FidoNet node 1:129/104
UUCP: ...!pitt!nss!freed
INTERNET: [e-mail]

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

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 92 12:54:27 BST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Is NASA really planning to Terraform Mars?

> The general idea of moving ice to Mars is good, but this is really
> the roundabout to go about it.  By the time we've moved the ice
into
> Earth orbit, then lunar orbit, then back to Mars, we will have used
up
>


Since the purpose is to get the ice to Mars rather than to get an
intact object to Mars, why not simply accelerate bits of ice with a
mass driver so that they end up burning up in the Martian atmosphere
as small meteorites? Under this scenario you don't really care where
you end up. You just keep thrusting until the asteroid has been
completely used up. At that point you write off your mass driver, and
you have created a couple year long queue of particles bound for Mars
by whatever direct or indirect orbit you have set them on.

Obviously it will be done robotically, at least after the mass driver
is turned on, since it is a one way trip to who knows where...

Copyright 1992 DMA :-)

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

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1992 17:17:25 GMT
From: Paul Dietz <[e-mail]>
Subject: Is NASA really planning to Terraform Mars?
Newsgroups: sci.space

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Thomas H. Kunich) writes:

> You are not going to feed a world on the (non-existant oil) driven
> green revolution by riding bicycles after the oil is gone, or
> by burning coal to generate electricity to supply energy to
> electric vehicles.


Do you know what fraction of US primary energy consumption goes
into growing food?

2 exajoules/year, or about 3%.  Even if we pick an inflated price for
energy (say, $5/GJ, about the price of natural gas at your stove),
this only comes to about $50 per person per year.

Hell, we spend 4 times as much energy cooking, marketing and selling
food as we do growing it.  *Restaurants* (and institutional food
services) in this country consume as much energy as all farms put
together.

In comparison, the US already gets about 3.5 EJ/year from biomass,
and about 3.3 EJ/year from hydro.  The nuclear contribution
is also larger.  Both biomass and nuclear can be greatly expanded.

Careful consideration of just where the energy goes in agriculture
shows that there is nothing special about petrochemicals, except that
they are currently somewhat less expensive than the alternatives.
Fuels, fertilizers and other inputs can all be made without
petrochemical inputs.  In particular, the two largest energy inputs
(nitrogenous fertilizers and fuel for farm machinery) can be made by
any of a number of alternative procedures (ammonia can be made from
any hydrogen source, including gasified coal, biomass or from
electrolysis, and likewise many different fuels can be made from coal,
biomass or other energy sources).

    Paul F. Dietz
    [e-mail]

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

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1992 16:40:39 GMT
From: David Knapp <[e-mail]>
Subject: Is NASA really planning to Terraform Mars?
Newsgroups: sci.space

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Phil G. Fraering) writes:
>[e-mail] (David Knapp) writes:
>
>
>
>>I'll be you knew alllll along that the evil empire wasn't so evil, didn't you.
>
>That's not what the people in the former SU are saying. They're
>saying it apparently _was_ what the right wing here said it
>was.

My implication was intended to be on US political views. This topic is
digressing rapidly...


>>But the theory that dinosaurs were killed by a meteor impact is only a theory,
>>right?
>
>I'm sure a ten-mile-wide cube of rock hitting at cometary velocities
>went relatively unnoticed, and had little to do with the death of the
>dinosaurs.


The point is, it's a *theory* which hasn't been anywhere *near* proven even
though you and I seem to agree that it is most likely.  Just about
*everything* in astrophysics is 'theory' in that all we can do is look at
data through telescopes (of all kinds) and come up on what is happening millions
of light years away. Those things that work consistently with our observations
are accepted although they will not be verified. The reason I've gave that
example in the *first* place was because ozone loss is not just reasonable
in theory, it works in practice and has been *verified*.


Even after that, there are those who think meteor impact is fact (which I
think also) and that ozone loss is bunk (which is absurd)

--
David Knapp                                      University of Colorado, Boulder
Perpetual Student                                   [e-mail]

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

Date: 13 Sep 92 07:52:24 GMT
From: Frank Crary <[e-mail]>
Subject: Mars Direct
Newsgroups: sci.space

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Nick Szabo) writes:
>So, you are proposing that safety studies constitute 1-1/(5*150/50),
>or 93% of the cost of SSF?  That's interesting. :-)

No, I'm saying that, if you require extensive safety studies, you must
fund something like Freedom. And, if Freedom is considered part of
a Mars mission (to conduct long-term medical and technology tests, as
was your assumption), this will dominate the costs of a manned Mars
mission.

                                                      Frank Crary
                                                      CU Boulder

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

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 92 15:51:59 BST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Mirrors

John Roberts:

It has been suggested that mirrors might be able to "orbit" at a
distance above a fixed spot at which the thrust from the sail equals
the gravitational force. It would be like a rocket that kept firing
forever and sat one meter off the ground...

It is not immediately clear to me whether this would allow reflection
to the surface. The cases I have heard used the sails as sunshades or
observation stations rather than reflectors.

There was work published (Solaris) that suggested using mirrors in
GEO (I believe) to increase growing cycles, light cities, etc.

                    Dale Amon

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

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 92 16:40:09 BST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Old data formats (was New lunar spacecraft)

> unretrievable. JPL was attempting to recover this data in support
of the

> Lunar Observer mission, which has since been cancelled. The loss of
such

> pricey and important data is representative of the post Apollo era.
:-(
>


This reminds me of a personal data retrieval problem. Does anyone out
there have access to an old PDP-10 with DecTape drives? I have about
a dozen of them with data I'd love to retrieve (for sentimental
reasons: my first real system is on them)

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

Date: 13 Sep 92 16:53:13 GMT
From: "Frederick A. Ringwald" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Old data formats (was New lunar spacecraft)
Newsgroups: sci.space

In article <[e-mail]>
[e-mail] writes:

> This reminds me of a personal data retrieval problem. Does anyone out
> there have access to an old PDP-10 with DecTape drives? I have about
> a dozen of them with data I'd love to retrieve (for sentimental
> reasons: my first real system is on them)

Ahh, those were the days! PDP-8s and -11s sure changed my life: I HATED
them! Which brings us back to one of the original questions:

NASA has implemented a highly cost-effective science program to mine
overlooked gems from old astronomy satellites, called the Astrophysics
Data Program (ADP). This program funds preservation of old data sets
and updating them into new formats, as well as science.

So, isn't there also a corresponding program for archival data from old
planetary science probes? It's worrisome that no one in sci.space came
up with its name - does this mean such a program does not exist?

Fred

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

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 92 15:11:09 BST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Small comet impact theory

I was just reading the article in Science 31-July about the small
comet controversy. Quite interesting from a political/sociological
viewpoint. What I really can't fathom is: what was it about the idea
that was so upsetting to people in the field that they replied to a
possibly weak thesis with flaming rhetoric rather than research? Why
did they wish it had not been published? I'd love to people's
thoughts on it.

Note that I'm not interested in talking about the Dr. Lewis Frank's
theory, which might be correct but is probably wrong; but on the
sociology of the whole affair and it's implications for the world
scientific culture.

I think there is a danger when scientists in any discipline make it
clear that those espousing controversial ideas will be publicly
denounced and privately cut off from funding. The mavericks may often
be wrong, but when they are right, they shake the foundations of
science. Controversies such as this send a message to young
scientists that the way to gain recognition, funding and acceptance
is by playing it safe and keeping their creativity leashed to within
"socially acceptable" bounds.

That is *VERY* bad news for science as an institution.

Just in case there is anyone on here who was actually involved: I
would chide them to respond to unconventional/unpopular ideas with a
bit more of an open mind, or at least with well researched rebuttals
rather than denunciations of the mere publication of an idea. For
those unfamiliar with the debate, refer to the Science issue cited
above. And note that the author of the paper was and is a highly
respected space scientist. Right or wrong, it was an interesting and
thought provoking idea and deserved more thoughtful response than it
got.

OR, to put it really bluntly: if any of the involved are out there
I'd suggest you allow Dr. Lewis Frank and his few supporters to
continue to make their case in print as they see fit. If you don't
like what he says, then respond civilly and scientifically instead of
being a bunch of asses.

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

Date: 13 Sep 92 05:14:21 GMT
From: Kenneth Freeman <arghouse!kfree>
Subject: Terraforming Mars
Newsgroups: sci.space

>
> Date Entered: 09-11-92 03:35
> N.>The entire organism could be underground, using silica fibres to the s
> N.>light pipes.  I think some Terran life forms use something like this (
> N.>plants that use light pipes).
> N.>
> N.>Limiting your thoughts to Terran organic processes leaves out a _lot_
> N.>possibilities.
> N.>
> N.>--
> N.>
> N.>[e-mail]
> N.>
>
> Am I missing something,
>
>         I havn't been following the entire conversation here, but it seems
> to me everybody is missing the gravity problem.  Last time I checked,
> Mars' gravity was not strong enough to keep oxygen molecules from escaping
> into space over time.  So, even if one could start plant-life on Mars,
> you'd have to have a heck of a lot of it to keep the oxygen from just
> "floating away"!!!
>
> More wood for the fire!!!
>
> Brad T.
>
>
> ---
>    WinQwk 2.0b#545   And God said: E =  mv  - Ze /r, and there was light!
>    RoseMail 2.00 : Usenet: Rose Media - Hamilton [phone]


Water has mass. How much water would have to be poured on to
Mars for it to stay there? (Or how many comets... Mars an
ocean world? :)

---
If people did not sometimes do silly things,
nothing intelligent would ever get done. -Wittgenstein
[e-mail] or ...!crash!nusdecs!arghouse!kfree

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

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 92 13:11:18 BST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Terraforming needs to begin now

>On the wall of a nearby office is this neat picture of a planet with
>large amounts of liquid water, but large portions of the land mass
is
>brown -- dry, relatively lifeless desert.  How about some ideas on
how
>to terraform good old earth?  Starting with the Sahara or
Austrailia's
>outback.

Ahh. I might point out that someone already owns the outback so it
might be nice to ask them first. Not that anyone often bothers to ask
the Australian aborigines what they want. I got an earful from one
with whom I reached a state of Irish nirvana with (ie we didn't keel
over until 7am)

Pragmatically speaking though, no one WOULD ask them, OR recognize
their property rights. The Australian government has an attitude
towards the aborigines reminiscent of the US approach to the american
indian in the last century.

PS: Ever tried to blow a digeridoo? Pant, gasp, choke...

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

Date: 12 Sep 92 20:49:30 GMT
From: Bev Freed <[e-mail]>
Subject: Toward 2001 - 14 Sep
Newsgroups: sci.space

                            ***********
                            TOWARD 2001
                            ***********
                     Week of 14 September 1992
                 A Weekly Feature of SPACE CALENDAR
                   + = Domestic (USA) Earth event
                   * = Domestic (USA) space event
                   o = International Earth event
                   # = International space event
--------------------------------------------------------------------
                        REPRINT INFORMATION
This information is reproduced by permission of the Space Age
Publishing Company.  All rights reserved.  Copyright September 14,
1992.  Reproduction in any form without written permission violates
federal statute with penalty of up to $50,000.  SPACE CALENDAR is
edited and published on the Big `Space' Island of Hawaii.
====================================================================
                           * * * * * * *
# STS 47 Endeavour / Spacelab J
Low Earth Orbit

Barring unforeseen delays, the 7-member crew of OV-105 Endeavour is
now orbiting Earth in the midst of a week-long mission. Astronauts
are experimenting with materials and biological samples to learn
more about the benefits and dangers of microgravity.
                           * * * * * * *
* Satcom-C4
Geostationary Orbit

The satellite is undergoing testing before taking up its cable TV
duties at 135<198>W in the geostationary orbit, following a
successful launch 31 August aboard a Delta 2 rocket. It is the 35th
consecutive Delta success since 1986.
                           * * * * * * *
o Orbital Science Corp / INPE
Fairfax VA / Brasilia

OSC will launch the Satelite de Coleta de Dados (SCD-1) for Brazil
from Kennedy Space Center at the end of the year according to a
$13.5 million contract signed on 2 September. The spacecraft will
transfer data from a network of automated ground stations
                           * * * * * * *
o India Intelsat Bid
Bangalore

Space Calendar contributor B R Rao reports India will seek to tender
an offer for a global contract to build a series of Intelsat
satellites. ISRO said the move would help the country move into the
global space market.
                           * * * * * * *
+ Spacecause
Nationwide USA

Is coordinating a pro-space letter writing contest to stimulate
space issues during Campaign 92, deadline 15 October; info Mark
Hopkins, 3435 Ocean Park Blvd #201-S, Santa Monica CA 90405.
                           * * * * * * *
+ Spaceport Florida Authority
Cocoa Beach FL

SFA and Florida State University officials are reviewing the results
from the successful first suborbital launch from the Cape San Blas
site in late August. A 10-foot Microstar rocket released a
meteorological payload at 270,000 feet.
                           * * * * * * *
o U N Office of Outer Space Affairs
New York NY

An array of U N Centers for Space Science and Technological
Education in developing countries is beginning to take shape. As of
early September, 21 countries have offered to host centers at
educational or research institutions.
                           * * * * * * *
o Korean Earth Observation System
Seoul

Pending approval by the S Korean government, the system will employ
two or three 300 kg satellites to carry optical and microwave
sensors for Earth observation. A first launch could come by 1995.
                           * * * * * * *
+ International Space University
Cambridge MA

The short list for ISU's permanent campus location includes
Kitakyushu, Japan, Strasbourg, France, and Toronto Canada. A final
decision will follow "in-depth negotiations" with each of the
selected proposers -- early in 1993.
                           * * * * * * *
* Voyager Videos
Global

BMG Video releases `The Planets' and `The Voyager Odyssey: 1977-
1989' are available now for about $20 each. The first employs
footage from Pioneer, Mariner, Viking, Voyager, Galileo, and
Magellan; the second is pure Voyager.
                           * * * * * * *
Lunar Footnote (Statistic)

+ 7,214 Days Since Moon last visited by humans; 3,031 days until 1
January 2001.
                           * * * * * * *
o International Space Year 1992 (Quotation)

      "The most important policy objective of the ISY . . . is
 to instill a new Space Age frame of reference in the thoughts and
              actions of governments and individuals."
                 -- The late U S Senator Spark M Matsunaga, Hawaii
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------------------------------

Date: 12 Sep 92 20:51:14 GMT
From: Bev Freed <[e-mail]>
Subject: Understanding human behavious in isolation
Newsgroups: sci.space

European Space Agency

27 August 1992

                           EXEMSI '92

   FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUS IN ISOLATION

For 60 days, starting on 7 September 1992, the European Space
Agency (ESA) will run "Experimental Campaign for the European
manned Space Infrastructure (EXEMIS)" in the deep diving facility
of DLR in Cologne, Germany.

A crew of four, one woman and three men, will be shut up inside a
completely isolted pressure chamber and laboratory with all their
food and provisions.  The experiment simulates a long duration
mission on a small space station.  One of the main objectives of
EXEMSI '92 is to see how a small mixed group behaves when they
are isolated in confined space to perform an experimental
scientific programme similar to the activity expected in a low
Earth orbit space station.

On 7 September the complete team* (crew back-up and crew
interface coordinators) as well as the programme will be
presented at a joint ESA/DLR press conference to be held at 10h00
at DLR, 5000-COLOGNE, 90 Linder Hoehe.

*  Ms. Catherine Casgrain (Canada), Ms. Marie-Christine Costino
   (France), Mr. Colin Lloyd Davies (Great Britain), Mr. Hildo
   Krop (The Netherlands), Mr. Clemens Lothaller (Austria); Ms.
   Alessandra Maulino (Italy), Mr. Matthieu Roulet (France), Mr.
   Luca Urbani (Italy), Ms. Anita Vestin (Sweden)






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Bev Freed - via FidoNet node 1:129/104
UUCP: ...!pitt!nss!freed
INTERNET: [e-mail]

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

End of Space Digest Volume 15 : Issue 197
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