dipper@utastro.UUCP (Debbie Byrd) (09/07/84)
You can eavesdrop on conversations between astronauts in the Space Shuttle and NASA ground crews. We'll talk about telephoning the Space Shuttle -- after this. August 31 Reach Out and Touch Someone ... in Space During Space Shuttle missions -- you can pick up your phone and listen to conversations between the astronauts in space and Mission Control in Houston. The service is NOT free -- there's a charge for the phone call. But if you'd like to eavesdrop on the Shuttle communications -- then the number to dial is one nine-zero-zero four-one-zero six-two-seven-two. We'll repeat that number in a moment. Dial-a-Shuttle is sponsored by the National Space Institute -- a public interest group supporting the space program. The National Space Institute does not receive any money for this service -- but the phone call DOES cost. There's a fifty cent charge for the first minute; then thirty-five cents for each additional minute. Dial-a-Shuttle was first offered during STS4 -- the fourth Shuttle mission flown in June of 1982. Since then the twenty-four hour service has received over three million phone calls -- many from countries outside the United States. Listeners have the chance to hear uninterrupted coversations between the Shuttle's payload specialists and the flight controllers in Houston. When the Space Shuttle is out of communication range, Dial-a-Shuttle reports on upcoming events and updates the Shuttle's flight status -- and features interviews with people involved with the mission. So once again, for space enthusiasts who want to listen in on Shuttle conversations, that phone number is one nine-zero-zero four-one-zero six-two-seven-two. And remember, there is a charge for that phone call. Script by Diana Hadley. (Communication with Linda L. Kofler, Dial-a-Shuttle Producer, 713-538-4006, 713-474-7246). (c) Copyright 1983, 1984 McDonald Observatory, University of Texas at Austin