yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (12/20/89)
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Tuesday, December 19, 1989 Audio: 202/755-1788
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This is NASA Headline News for Tuesday, December 19....
NASA space shuttle managers have postponed the STS-32 launch
until next month...with the earliest possible lift-off date being
January 8. Several factors were considered in the decision...the
most significant being a need to complete testing and validation
of the launch pad system used to load cryogenic fuels into the
orbiter and the need to power down the launch processing system
to perform scheduled cooling system modifications.
Robert Crippen, Director of the Space Shuttle Program, says the
delay will not impact NASA's ability to safely retrieve the Long
Duration Exposure Facility nor will it affect the ability to
meet the planned flight schedule during 1990. The delay will
also permit NASa employees and contractors to take time off for
the Christmas holidays.
The Washington Post reports a Congressionally-chartered
panel...the Task Force on Women, Minorities and the Handicapped
in Science and Technology...says U.S. colleges and universities
must graduate twice as many white women in science and
engineering, five times as many black students and seven times as
many hispanics--beginning next year. The findings were released
yesterday by the panel comprised of 48 government, business and
education leaders. Using recent statistics released by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Science
Foundation...the report adds that by the year 2010 there will be
a shortage of over a half-million engineers and scientists in the
United States.
Aerospace Daily reports that the president of the Aerospace
Industries Association has named James C. Harrington, Vice
President of Space Flight Programs at Kaman Aerospace
Corporation, to head up a task force to develop recommendations
on advanced technology and management techniques applicable to
missions to the moon and Mars. AIA President Donald Fuqua told
the Daily some of the issues to be reviewed include
Earth-to-orbit propulsion, space propulsion, and long term
effects of microgravity on humans.
And.....NASA has selected Ford Aerospace Corporation, of Houston,
for final negotiations leading to the award of a contract to
provide safety, reliability, maintainability and quality
assurance support services at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
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Here's the broadcast schedule for public affairs events on NASA
Select TV. All times are Eastern.
Thursday, December 21....
11:30 A.M. NASA Update will be transmitted.
All events and times are subject to change without notice.
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Eastern time.
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