henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) (03/28/89)
Cover: photo of the systems-test prototype of the Soviet shuttle, in its bay at Baikonur. Galileo's maneuvering thrusters returned to MBB for testing and modification. They can overheat, it turns out. This was discovered fortuitously during experiments with TVSat 1, the abandoned German comsat that failed to deploy one solar array -- it used similar thrusters. Galileo planners want to see reliable thrusters several weeks before Galileo goes to the Cape on May 12, otherwise the schedule will be in trouble. Japan's IASA and NASDA are studying [unmanned] lunar rovers for possible launch in the next decade. Retiring SecCommerce William Verity denounces NASA and its contractors for restricting the US space program to their own interests, saying that the shuttle is a trucking operation, the space station is unnecessary, and NASA should be ordered back to science and exploration. "Will a future Christopher Columbus study space science, only to discover his career options are limited to a government bureaucracy that runs a glorified trucking operation or a cost-plus contractor that just fills orders?" USAF FY90-91 budget plans include no funding for Asat work. Pentagon board suggests that the Army should take the lead in Asat efforts, partly because the Army is considered most likely to cooperate with other services if things get serious. (The USAF is bowing out, and the Navy is not interested unless the weapon is sea-based.) Stiff Congressional opposition is expected if any serious attempt is made to get an Asat program going again. It is not clear whether Congress will balk at the proposed conversion of the Miracl experimental laser for Asat tests. The tests are aimed at resolving some doubts about how vulnerable satellites are to lasers. The An-225 Mria begins flight tests. [This is the giant cargo aircraft fitted to carry Soviet shuttle components externally.] Soviets reveal they have twice space-tested a new nuclear reactor design, Topaz, using thermionic technology well in advance of the US thermoelectric designs (which have never flown) (the US has avoided thermionics, partly because the technology is considered unproven and risky). One Topaz ran for six months, the other for a year; future versions are aimed at a three-year lifetime, while five years at several hundred kilowatts (the tests were 10 kW) looks feasible. To cap it off, the Soviets have informally indicated that they are interested in selling Topazes to the US! [The Soviets have been talking about nuclear-electric rockets for a manned Mars mission. Sounds like they're already testing hardware for it.] More photos and coverage from Baikonur. Buran's mission was nearly letter- perfect, including landing 1.5 m from the runway center line despite an 18 m/s (40 mph) crosswind 30 degrees from the centerline. Soviets say their thermal tiles are designed for about 10 reentries before replacement, and admit that applying them to the shuttle is difficult. Final checkout of the second orbiter should be completed this year; apparently there is still some uncertainty about its name. The Soviets are starting to use "Buran" as a generic name for their shuttle, creating some confusion. Photo of orbiter #2 surrounded by workstands. Buran was parked outside during the visit (in subzero weather) for inspection of propellant tanks. AW&ST says the orbiter building looks frankly shabby from outside, although workmanship is much better on the inside -- evidently outside appearance was not a priority. Igor Volk and Rimantas Stankiavicius are in training for the first orbital shuttle mission. Photos of the launch pad used for the first Energia mission. Soviets say it is earmarked for non-shuttle missions. Letter in the letter column observes that in 1984, AW&ST published a drawing of the Soviet shuttle with some lettering that made no sense at the time: just aft of the mid-deck, it was labelled "Buran"! Somebody knew the name of the thing four years before the Soviets revealed it... -- Welcome to Mars! Your | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology passport and visa, comrade? | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu