alb@alice.UUCP (09/01/83)
Problems with computers at the TDRS ground station at White Sands led to a three hour period this morning in which NASA received no information from the shuttle. The information was supposed to be relayed through the TDRS-1 satellite. NASA said there was no danger to the astronauts, and they could have been awakened at any time in order to put the spacecraft in direct communication with ground stations. Finally, they were awakened 40 minutes early to do just that. Later, the problems at White Sands were cleared up. So far, 11 of 19 TDRS tests planned for this flight have been executed.