[net.columbia] Mission 61-A/Spacelab D-1 Launch

rjnoe@riccb.UUCP (Roger J. Noe) (10/30/85)

Space shuttle Challenger lifted off on its ninth mission at 17:00 GMT today,
30 October 1985.  Mission 22 (61-A), also called Spacelab D-1 (erste Deutsche),
will focus primarily on about 75 materials processing experiments.  Conducting
these experiments will be a crew composed of five NASA astronauts and three
payload specialists, two of whom are German and the other Dutch.  The mission
will be controlled primarily by the DFVLR (German federal aerospace research
agency), not by NASA in Houston.  Landing is planned for one week from today
at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

This launch occurs just 27 days since the last one at Kennedy Space Center.
It is also the first time that a crew larger than seven has been launched on
a shuttle.  Isn't it pretty amazing that NASA can now manage to launch a crew
larger than the entire first group of Mercury astronauts and do it less than
four weeks since the last launch from the same complex?
--
Roger Noe			ihnp4!riccb!rjnoe

rhib@mhuxm.UUCP (irving) (10/31/85)

> Isn't it pretty amazing that NASA can now manage to launch a crew
> larger than the entire first group of Mercury astronauts and do it less than
> four weeks since the last launch from the same complex?

It certainly is amazing.  While some space buffs lament how the public has
become apathetic towards shuttle voyages (as witnessed by little or no TV
coverage), this is inevitable when man's ventures into space become a
routine occurrence; with the 22nd shuttle mission now under way, I think it
is safe to regard shuttle voyages as being comparable to passenger
supersonic flight - spectacular to behold, but no longer revolutionary.

Back in the late '70's, the US appeared to trail the space race; it is clear
now that we were in fact preparing a dramatic leap forward.  By contrast it
is incredible to observe how little technical advancement appears to have
been made in Soviet space technology since Gagarin's day.

I eagerly await the day when fare-paying passengers may joyride on the
shuttle - I'll be one of the first in line, regardless of cost!

Richard Irving, AT&T Bell Labs, Murray Hill NJ		mhuxm!rhib

orion@homxa.UUCP (#C.READING) (11/01/85)

With todays prices of supersonic flight (around 2600.00 one way)
London to Washington just imagin the cost per mile for shuttle
shuttles. I think before we see any commercial transportation one
must have more than 2 location for arrival. Like ferrys to the
space station or to the lunar surface . You will probabily be seeing
people who own large private companies with some stake in the technology
being developed being the first joyriders in space. After all what
manager or supervisor would'nt like to inspect productivity in space.

			Craig Reading
			homxa!orion
			ATT-IS Holmdel N.J.
		

ths@lanl.ARPA (11/04/85)

> Back in the late '70's, the US appeared to trail the space race; it is clear
> now that we were in fact preparing a dramatic leap forward.  By contrast it
> is incredible to observe how little technical advancement appears to have
> been made in Soviet space technology since Gagarin's day.
> 
> Richard Irving, AT&T Bell Labs, Murray Hill NJ		mhuxm!rhib

Although I would tend to agree with your generalized statement about Soviet
technology, we must always remember that this "crude and backward country"
launched the first satellite, first manned space flight, first successfull
moon probe, first multiple crew spaceship, first space walk .....

The Soviets currently hold the record for space endurance and have embarked
upon a long range space exploration program that involves many important and
exciting scientific discoveries.

They may not be on the cutting edge of technology, but they have no lack
of talent and ingenuity.  I would hope that those who read your words do
not misinterpret them.  I would not like to return to the public opinion as
of October 3, 1957.

On the other hand, I am always a bit skeptical about the claims made by our
own Military/Industry about advanced capabilities possessed by the
Soviets that tend to drive Congress into deeper military spending than
necessary.

The space race "competition" between the US and USSR has some healthy
aspects to it, but I resent the nuclear spectre that pervades our
relationship.

Please read "The Heavens & The Earth" by Walter McDougall, some good stuff
to think about.

Ted Spitzmiller