klr@hadron.UUCP (Kurt L. Reisler) (01/30/86)
A trust fund has been established by the American Security Bank in Washington DC. The funds gathered are to be used to provide financial assistance to the children of the 7 astronauts killed in the explosion of the space shuttle. For additional information, you can call 1-800-462-7878 Checks can be sent to: Space Shuttle Children's Fund Anerican Security Bank Box 0150 Washington, DC 20055 Checks should be made out to: The Space Shuttle Children's Fund The Dream is, and must remain, alive! Kurt Reisler ..!seismo!hadron!klr
klr@hadron.UUCP (Kurt L. Reisler) (01/30/86)
In article <221@hadron.UUCP> klr@hadron.UUCP (Kurt L. Reisler) writes: OOPS! Obvious Typo: > Space Shuttle Children's Fund > Anerican Security Bank > Box 0150 > Washington, DC 20055 > Should read: Space Shuttle Children's Fund American Security Bank Box 0150 Washington, DC 20055
felix@lifia.UUCP (Francois Felix INGRAND) (02/03/86)
In article <221@hadron.UUCP> klr@hadron.UUCP writes: > > A trust fund has been established by the American Security > Bank in Washington DC. The funds gathered are to be used > to provide financial assistance to the children of the 7 > astronauts killed in the explosion of the space shuttle. Is the Social Budget of USA so poor that American people must create a fund for the astronauts' children? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Francois Felix INGRAND (-: Pourquoi tant de haine... :-( \ | / UUCP: ...{mcvax,vmucnam}!lifia!felix EDIKA \|/ > ...{mcvax,vmucnam}!imag!felix ( O: ) /|\ > Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are mine... / | \ Please don't tell my employer...
hsu@eneevax.UUCP (Dave Hsu) (02/04/86)
In article <325@lifia.UUCP> felix@lifia.UUCP (Francois Felix INGRAND) writes: >In article <221@hadron.UUCP> klr@hadron.UUCP writes: >> >> A trust fund has been established by the American Security >> Bank in Washington DC. The funds gathered are to be used >> to provide financial assistance to the children of the 7 >> astronauts killed in the explosion of the space shuttle. > >Is the Social Budget of USA so poor that American people must create a fund >for the astronauts' children? > >-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >Francois Felix INGRAND (-: Pourquoi tant de haine... :-( \ | / [flame on, 104%] The shape of our `Social Budget' is completely irrelevant to the creation of a fund for the families of deceased astronauts. They sacrificed their private lives just to pursue the common dream of all mankind to explore; in the end they parted with much more than their privacy and it just so happens that some of us who remain earthbound feel the need to thank the unseen families behind our most visible heroes. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with such things, Monsieur Ingrand, but here in the United States we like to take care of our own. -dave the Dream is Alive -- David Hsu Communication & Signal Processing Lab, EE Department <disclaimer> University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 hsu@eneevax.umd.edu {seismo,allegra}!umcp-cs!eneevax!hsu "They were the elite, the vanguard of progress. They would take mankind to the heights...and perhaps beyond." -Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood's End
rcj@burl.UUCP (Curtis Jackson) (02/04/86)
In article <505@eneevax.UUCP> hsu@eneevax.UUCP (Dave Hsu) writes: >[flame on, 104%] >The shape of our `Social Budget' is completely irrelevant to the creation of a >fund for the families of deceased astronauts. They sacrificed their private >lives just to pursue the common dream of all mankind to explore; in the end >they parted with much more than their privacy and it just so happens that some >of us who remain earthbound feel the need to thank the unseen families behind >our most visible heroes. > > /* another vicious attack followed here */ > I tried this earlier, let me try again: The phrase "The Dream is Alive" describes a real-life phenomenon. The astronauts did not "sacrifice" their personal lives because, as you hinted above, their families lived the Dream, too. That is evident in their unanimous reaction that the Dream must continue despite Challenger. The families, as I pointed out before, do *not* need your money. Their Dream, the Dream that they as families sacrificed so much for, the Dream that is still alive in their hearts despite their tragic loss -- this Dream is what needs your money, your effort, your voice, your vote, and (most of all), your heart. And mine. You write documentation 'til 5am and you can get *real* mushy, too. -- The MAD Programmer -- 919-228-3313 (Cornet 291) alias: Curtis Jackson ...![ ihnp4 ulysses cbosgd mgnetp ]!burl!rcj ...![ ihnp4 cbosgd akgua masscomp ]!clyde!rcj
dee@cca.UUCP (Donald Eastlake) (02/04/86)
Of course all the astronauts government provided life insurance,
except for Christa MacAuliffe (sp?). Also Llyods of London offers
all astronausts a free $1,000,000 life insurance policy for each
launch and Christa is the only one of the seven to take them up on
it. But it is a free country and how can you stop people who want
to do something from setting up a Trust fund for the astronauts
children?
--
+1 617-492-8860 Donald E. Eastlake, III
ARPA: dee@CCA-UNIX usenet: {decvax,linus}!cca!deewill@anasazi.UUCP (Will Fuller) (02/04/86)
In article <325@lifia.UUCP> felix@lifia.UUCP (Francois Felix INGRAND) writes: >In article <221@hadron.UUCP> klr@hadron.UUCP writes: >> >> A trust fund has been established by the American Security >> Bank in Washington DC. The funds gathered are to be used >> to provide financial assistance to the children of the 7 >> astronauts killed in the explosion of the space shuttle. > >Is the Social Budget of USA so poor that American people must create a fund >for the astronauts' children? > >-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >Francois Felix INGRAND (-: Pourquoi tant de haine... :-( \ | / >UUCP: ...{mcvax,vmucnam}!lifia!felix EDIKA \|/ > > ...{mcvax,vmucnam}!imag!felix ( O: ) > /|\ > >Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are mine... / | \ > Please don't tell my employer... "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?" - E. Scrooge -- William H. Fuller {decvax|ihnp4|hao}!noao!terak!anasazi!will
felix@lifia.UUCP (Francois Felix INGRAND) (02/04/86)
>From imag!vmucnam!mcvax!bu-cs!dml Tue Feb 4 06:05:51 1986 >From me >>Is the Social Budget of USA so poor that American people must create a fund >>for the astronauts' children? > >I feel very sorry for you. I hope that there are not many people >like you that do not care or have sympthay for those who have >suffered a great loss. I post the response on the net before our "transmission cable" became hot. First my question was serious, I do not know very well the american Social System but I feel very sorry too, to think that you have to make a fund to help these childrens. Second, these childrens, which suffered a great loss indeed, and you could be sure that I have sympathy for them, looks for me like the childrens or people which loose parents or friends in such a catastrophe. The tomorow of the shuttle catastrophe, there were a Airplane Crash in South America: 27 deads... Be sure that I have a lot of sympathy for them too. But Medias seem to have forgotten them... And American Fund too. Third, Do you really think that it is money that these childrens need? Do you really think that sympathy can only be Dollars. Excuse me but I feel sorry for you, to see that the only think that you can do for them is to make a Fund. I understand that we can make a fund like AFRICA AID, of "LES RESTAURANTS DU COEUR" in France. But here, is it the best solution? I doubt. I apologize for my poor English, and my response would be more precise if it was written in french. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Francois Felix INGRAND Pourquoi tant de haine... UUCP: ...{mcvax,vmucnam}!lifia!felix EDIKA ...{mcvax,vmucnam}!imag!felix
wdm@ecn-pc.UUCP (Tex) (02/05/86)
In article <505@eneevax.UUCP> hsu@eneevax.UUCP (Dave Hsu) writes: >In article <325@lifia.UUCP> felix@lifia.UUCP (Francois Felix INGRAND) writes: >>In article <221@hadron.UUCP> klr@hadron.UUCP writes: >>> >>> A trust fund has been established by the American Security >>> Bank in Washington DC. The funds gathered are to be used >>> to provide financial assistance to the children of the 7 >>> astronauts killed in the explosion of the space shuttle. >> >>Is the Social Budget of USA so poor that American people must create a fund >>for the astronauts' children? >> >>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >>Francois Felix INGRAND (-: Pourquoi tant de haine... :-( \ | / > >[flame on, 104%] >The shape of our `Social Budget' is completely irrelevant to the creation of a >fund for the families of deceased astronauts. They sacrificed their private >lives just to pursue the common dream of all mankind to explore; in the end >they parted with much more than their privacy and it just so happens that some >of us who remain earthbound feel the need to thank the unseen families behind >our most visible heroes. > >Perhaps you are unfamiliar with such things, Monsieur Ingrand, but here in the >United States we like to take care of our own. Don't blame him, it is probably difficult to live in a country that sits on the sidelines and watches while we explore space. After all, they think it is pretty neat that they have a booster that can but a satellite into orbit.
jsdy@hadron.UUCP (Joseph S. D. Yao) (02/06/86)
In article <325@lifia.UUCP> felix@lifia.UUCP (Francois Felix INGRAND) writes: >In article <221@hadron.UUCP> klr@hadron.UUCP writes: >> A trust fund has been established ... >Is the Social Budget of USA so poor that American people must create a fund >for the astronauts' children? No, Francois. The hearts of some Americans are so large, that they wish to do so. This is a voluntary trust: unlike Social Security and taxes, no one need contribute who does not wish to. Assez bien? -- Joe Yao hadron!jsdy@seismo.{CSS.GOV,ARPA,UUCP}
credmond@watmath.UUCP (Chris Redmond) (02/06/86)
>>>> >>>> A trust fund has been established by the American Security >>>> Bank in Washington DC. The funds gathered are to be used >>>> to provide financial assistance to the children of the 7 >>>> astronauts killed in the explosion of the space shuttle. >>> >>>Is the Social Budget of USA so poor that American people must create a fund >>>for the astronauts' children? >>> >> >>United States we like to take care of our own. > > Don't blame him, it is probably difficult to live in a country that > sits on the sidelines and watches while we explore space. After all, > they think it is pretty neat that they have a booster that can but > a satellite into orbit. More to the point, don't blame him: he lives in a country (France) where the ASSUMPTION is that bereaved children will be taken care of from public funds, and there's no need to start a special collection.
wfi@rti-sel.UUCP (William Ingogly) (02/06/86)
In article <328@lifia.UUCP> felix@lifia.UUCP (Francois Felix INGRAND) writes: >First my question was serious, I do not know very well the american Social >System but I feel very sorry too, to think that you have to make a fund to help >these childrens. First of all, I'm responding to your comments with my own personal views and feelings about American society and the reasons why we do things. You will no doubt find that some or even many Americans will argue with what I have to say in general or in this particular instance. Whatever the shortcomings and limitations of our current social welfare programs, the suggestion that a fund be set up for the children was made in a spirit of compassion for the families involved and as a living memorial for seven people who seem to many of us Americans to be heroes. Perhaps we're talking about cultural differences here, Francois. Americans frequently contribute to one charity or another when a loved one or a friend's loved one dies or make a contribution in memory of a national figure. This is neither right nor wrong, it's simply the way we Americans are. We don't "have to" set up a fund to help these children because social welfare programs, insurance, etc. won't provide for their futures; we choose to set up such a fund and contribute to it as a celebration of the astronauts' sacrifices and as a celebration of our solidarity as a people in the face of tragedy. >Second, these childrens, which suffered a great loss indeed, and you could be >sure that I have sympathy for them, looks for me like the childrens or people >which loose parents or friends in such a catastrophe. The tomorow of the >shuttle catastrophe, there were a Airplane Crash in South America: 27 deads... >Be sure that I have a lot of sympathy for them too. But Medias seem to have >forgotten them... And American Fund too. The media in this country pay more attention to the shuttle tragedy than to the crash in South America because it's more newsworthy to citizens of our country. I'm sure the South American crash received a lot of coverage in South American countries. And I'm sure you Frenchmen provide greater coverage to stories that are of particular interest to the French people or that touch the French people in a special way. Human tragedy is human tragedy, whether it happens to national figures like the astronauts or to the faceless people living in the house down the street. In spite of the seemingly routine nature of space shuttle flights, I think many Americans have supported the space program, have felt that the peaceful exploration of space is a national priority, and have viewed the astronauts as ambassador/heroes. So the death of these seven people touched us in a special way. >Third, Do you really think that it is money that these childrens need? >Do you really think that sympathy can only be Dollars. Excuse me but I >feel sorry for you, to see that the only think that you can do for them is to >make a Fund. I understand that we can make a fund like AFRICA AID, of "LES >RESTAURANTS DU COEUR" in France. But here, is it the best solution? I doubt. The creation of a memorial fund, as I've pointed out, springs from an American tradition of people helping other people at a grass-roots level. At least that's the way it seems to me as an American citizen who grew up in the heartland. When a neighbor dies of a heart attack, you make a contribution to a medical charity that supports research into heart disease in the neighbor's name. If you think this is evidence of a meanness of spirit in the American people or a poverty of solutions, you don't understand what we are as a people. -- Cheers, Bill Ingogly
chapman@miro.berkeley.edu.BERKELEY.EDU (Brent Chapman) (02/06/86)
In article <505@eneevax.UUCP> hsu@eneevax.UUCP (Dave Hsu) writes: >In article <325@lifia.UUCP> felix@lifia.UUCP (Francois Felix INGRAND) writes: >>In article <221@hadron.UUCP> klr@hadron.UUCP writes: >>> >>> A trust fund has been established by the American Security >>> Bank in Washington DC. The funds gathered are to be used >>> to provide financial assistance to the children of the 7 >>> astronauts killed in the explosion of the space shuttle. >> >>Is the Social Budget of USA so poor that American people must create a fund >>for the astronauts' children? >> >>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >>Francois Felix INGRAND (-: Pourquoi tant de haine... :-( \ | / > >[flame on, 104%] >The shape of our `Social Budget' is completely irrelevant to the creation of a >fund for the families of deceased astronauts. They sacrificed their private >lives just to pursue the common dream of all mankind to explore; in the end >they parted with much more than their privacy and it just so happens that some >of us who remain earthbound feel the need to thank the unseen families behind >our most visible heroes. > >Perhaps you are unfamiliar with such things, Monsieur Ingrand, but here in the >United States we like to take care of our own. > >-dave >the Dream is Alive >-- I'm in one hundred (and four :-)) percent agreement with Dave. Mr. Ingrand, are the people of France so poor (and uncaring) that your _government_ would have to create a fund under similar circumstances? Brent Chapman chapman@miro.berkeley.edu ucbvax!miro!chapman
barmar@mit-eddie.UUCP (Barry Margolin) (02/07/86)
In article <505@eneevax.UUCP> hsu@eneevax.UUCP (Dave Hsu) writes: >The shape of our `Social Budget' is completely irrelevant to the creation of a >fund for the families of deceased astronauts. They sacrificed their private >lives just to pursue the common dream of all mankind to explore; in the end >they parted with much more than their privacy and it just so happens that some >of us who remain earthbound feel the need to thank the unseen families behind >our most visible heroes. > >Perhaps you are unfamiliar with such things, Monsieur Ingrand, but here in the >United States we like to take care of our own. Hmm, did we create such a trust fund for the families of deceased draftees in the Viet Nam War? Or how about the families of Americans killed by terrorists, who were used as unwitting representatives of the US. At least the astronauts died admirably, pursuing their dreams, and they were aware that there were such risks. Yes, I was horrified at the disaster. However, I am bothered by the fact that the entire country seems to think this is the worst disaster in history. Most airline disasters kill more people, and victims of such accidents generally did not expect trouble, yet we do not agonize over them. I do not mean to sound unfeeling, I just wish to be realistic about this. -- Barry Margolin ARPA: barmar@MIT-Multics UUCP: ..!genrad!mit-eddie!barmar
guy@slu70.UUCP (Guy M. Smith) (02/07/86)
In article <469@ecn-pc.UUCP>, wdm@ecn-pc.UUCP (Tex) writes: > they think it is pretty neat that they have a booster that can but > a satellite into orbit. How do you but (butt?) a satellite into orbit. Is this what a ram drive is all about:-).
galenr@shark.UUCP (Galen Redfield) (02/08/86)
[I delete some re-quoting for brevity] In an amazing display of diplomacy and insight, Dave Hsu writes (or rants): >Francois Felix INGRAND writes: >>klr@hadron.UUCP writes: >>> A trust fund has been established... >>> to provide financial assistance to the children... >>Is the Social Budget of USA so poor that American people must create a fund >>for the astronauts' children? >>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >>Francois Felix INGRAND (-: Pourquoi tant de haine... :-( \ | / > >[flame on, 104%] >The shape of our `Social Budget' is completely irrelevant to the creation of a >fund for the families of deceased astronauts. It's true! We'll take up any noble cause at the drop of a hat. It's the American Way to try solving any problem, even bereavement, by pouring money on it. And nobody better criticize us for it! > They sacrificed their private >lives just to pursue the common dream of all mankind to explore; Sure they did. They didn't care if anyone even noticed. They did it for totally selfless reasons. They didn't think it would be heroic, exciting, or interesting. They weren't even thinking about succeeding. They just wanted to pursue the common dream of all mankind. (I did not realize that starving people in Ethiopia wanted to explore. Thanks for pointing that out, Dave.) > in the end >they parted with much more than their privacy and it just so happens that some >of us who remain earthbound feel the need to thank the unseen families behind >our most visible heroes. Yes, thank you, unseen families, for losing your loved ones. We really do appreciate it. Thanks a lot, good job. Have some money as a token of our gratitude. Now we'll all feel better. > >Perhaps you are unfamiliar with such things, Monsieur Ingrand, but here in the >United States we like to take care of our own. > >-dave >the Dream is Alive >-- Boy, Dave, you sure put that French guy in his place. That'll teach him to ask questions on the net about American social conditions! Warm regards, Galen.
ems@amdahl.UUCP (ems) (02/08/86)
In article <328@lifia.UUCP>, felix@lifia.UUCP (Francois Felix INGRAND) writes: > > First my question was serious, I do not know very well the american Social > System but I feel very sorry too, to think that you have to make a fund to help > these childrens. We don't really have a single 'Social System'. It is more like a collection of interacting systems. Insurance is one system (usually privately funded, but often not). Government aid is another. Public funds are yet another. These all tend to work without any coordination between them. Often this means that their actions are either redundant or lacking. In the case of astronauts, since their profession has high risks, private insurance companies would be unwilling to take on those risks without very high payments. I think that NASA provides the 'insurance' that the families would normally be able to purchase. (If someone knows, they may want to explain how this really works.) The comments that "the children don't need the money" imply that there are some form of benefits available to them. The forming of a fund is, as often as not, for the expression of the sympathies of the donors. > (...) > Third, Do you really think that it is money that these childrens need? > Do you really think that sympathy can only be Dollars. Excuse me but I > feel sorry for you, to see that the only think that you can do for them is to > make a Fund. I understand that we can make a fund like AFRICA AID, of "LES > RESTAURANTS DU COEUR" in France. But here, is it the best solution? I doubt. There is little else that most folks can do. I may be on the other side of the continent from them, and I may not be able to contact them, and they might not want to be contacted by several million strangers, but I can show my concern by a donation to a fund. Cash is the universal medium, the children can convert it into whatever form of monument they desire. > > I apologize for my poor English, and my response would be more precise if it > was written in french. > I would like to encourage you to post in your native language. I would have benefitted from (trying) to read it. Prehaps a bi-lingual standard could be addopted: The English version first, as it is the customary language of the net, and the native language following. It would be helpful both as a reference for clarification, and for practice for those of us who are in need of practice for our French (or other language of your choice..) (Not to mention furthering the ideal of a multi-lingual and multi-cultural net/world) -- E. Michael Smith ...!{hplabs,ihnp4,amd,nsc}!amdahl!ems This is the obligatory disclaimer of everything.
pete@stc.co.uk (02/10/86)
Summary: Expires: Sender: Followup-To: Distribution: Keywords: Xref: ukc net.space:1995 net.columbia:844 net.sf-lovers:7042 net.followup:2079 Xpath: ukc eagle In article <469@ecn-pc.UUCP> wdm@ecn-pc.UUCP (Tex) writes: > Don't blame him, it is probably difficult to live in a country that > sits on the sidelines and watches while we explore space. After all, > they think it is pretty neat that they have a booster that can but > a satellite into orbit. Oh dear. 1: A comparison of the relative sizes of France and the USA makes it pretty obvious that Ariane is a considerable achievement. 2: Why should the USA and the USSR have it all their own way in space? 3: Look to your laurels; the Japanese are right at your heels Right Now on space technology - 2 of the Halley's Comet probes are from Japan. (and Giotto, the best bet, is European!) It seems to me that this discussion belongs in net.politics, 'cos what we're talking about is the difference in political philosophy between a laissez-faire system and a paternalist system; and whether one leads to the abandonment of the weak to their own devices (the 'Sod you, I'm all right' system) and the other to the stifling of initiative (the 'Don't worry son, the State will look after you, just be good' system). Please can the discussion be carried on elsewhere? 7 brave humans died on the Challenger; we all respect their courage, but some of us are wondering why you have to die live on TV to raise the conscience of a nation. BTW, I read Robert Forward's 'Dragon's Egg' over the weekend and got a shock in the first few pages - is he on the net and what do they know at Hughes and JPL that we don't? -- Peter Kendell <pete@stc.UUCP> ...!mcvax!ukc!stc!pete `When your achievements match your expectations, it's time to move on.'
hom@uvacs.UUCP (Hugues O. Morel) (02/10/86)
I don't see what France has to do with this, and I want you to know that some other Frenchmen out there find the idea of a fund for the astronauts' children a very good one. As a matter of fact, the american space program is leading the way for the progress of all the other nations of the world and we share its victories and sometimes its failures in the same way you do, believe it or not. You may be proud to know that the pionner spirit is one of the first characteristics that come to our mind when we think of the USA ... Hugues Morel A Frenchman at the University of Virginia
wdm@ecn-pc.UUCP (Tex) (02/13/86)
In article <805@bute.tcom.stc.co.uk> pete@stc.UUCP (Peter Kendell) writes: >In article <469@ecn-pc.UUCP> wdm@ecn-pc.UUCP (Tex) writes: >> Don't blame him, it is probably difficult to live in a country that >> sits on the sidelines and watches while we explore space. After all, >> they think it is pretty neat that they have a booster that can but >> a satellite into orbit. > > Oh dear. I didn't know people still said that in public. > > 1: A comparison of the relative sizes of France and the USA > makes it pretty obvious that Ariane is a considerable > achievement. Of course Ariane is not totally French - it is the product of the Euro- pean Space Agency, of which France is the most active participant. > > 2: Why should the USA and the USSR have it all their own way > in space? I give up, why? I certainly never said they should. > > 3: Look to your laurels; the Japanese are right at your heels > Right Now on space technology - 2 of the Halley's Comet > probes are from Japan. (and Giotto, the best bet, is > European!) There are some pretty good reasons the US did not send a probe to Halley. One of the major ones was funding, of course. Another major one is the Halley did not present itself as a particularly interesting comet due to its approach relative to the Sun. What the US has proposed is the (I probably have this somewhat garbled) Tempel 2 Comet Rendezvous Mission. I don't know what its status is since the Challenger malfunctioned. This probe is designed to go out to the asteroid belt (doing a close in asteroid fly-by in the process, as a result of which, I think the mission has had appended Asteroid Fly-by to its name, I believe), pick up Tempel 2 and stay with it as it approaches the Sun, reaches perihelion and then goes back to aphelion. It will be in close proximity to Tempel 2 for several MONTHS. The Halley probes will be in close proximity for several minutes, or maybe hours depending what you want to call "close," due to their high angle of interception. Comet researchers generally agree that the Tempel 2 mission is of much higher scientific significance than the Halley missions, because the comet will be observed going from a nearly virgin state, then to a highly excited state and back again. Of course, history is not rich with Tempel 2 lore, so this mission does not have the allure of a Halley mission. And now, a message to our French speaking viewers: J'ai poste une article il y a deux semaines, un peu pres, disant que la France n'est pas un des champions de l'exploration de l'espace. Je crois exactement le contraire. Je l'ai ecrit en reponse a un francais qui a ecrit une article qui etait, a mon avis, insultant, surtout juste apres le disastre Challenger. Si je vous ai insulte, je m'excuse. Je n'ai que admiration pour l'ESA. Excusez mon francais, s'il vous plait. > > 7 brave humans died on the Challenger; we all respect their > courage, but some of us are wondering why you have to die live > on TV to raise the conscience of a nation. If I recall correctly, the Apollo One Crew did not die "live on TV," and the conscience of the nation was still raised.