ccoprmd@prism.gatech.EDU (Matthew DeLuca) (11/20/90)
Thanks to all of you who replied, via e-mail and via post, to my
query about why the DoD seemed to like Atlantis so much. After sorting
through all the replies, the best I can come up with is that it is most
likely coincidence, although it is possible that the extra payload
capability is involved and a couple of people mentioned that the orbiter
was equipped for encrypted communications.
Speaking of Atlantis...after over nine years of following the shuttle
program, I finally got to see a launch in person. Definitely something
everyone should see...it's truly impressive. Although I don't know I
would recommend the method we used to see it...from the top of a tree in
a swamp on the Florida coast. :-)
A sidenote to all this was a stop we made at the Astronaut Hall of
Fame, a relatively new exhibit. It was pretty interesting, all told...
a lot of memorabilia from the Mercury/Gmini/Apollo days, as well as an
exhibit on the shuttle program...where they spelled the name of the new
shuttle 'Endeavor'. :-( When pointed out, one of the employees said that
dozens of people had pointed that out, as well as about 15 other errors in
the plaques and displays. And why haven't they been fixed? Red tape. :-(
--
Matthew DeLuca
Georgia Institute of Technology Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards,
Office of Information Technology for they are subtle, and quick to anger.
Internet: ccoprmd@prism.gatech.edu