REM%MIT-MC@sri-unix.UUCP (02/14/84)
From: Robert Elton Maas <REM @ MIT-MC> Summary (for those who don't want to wade through AP/NYT stories at 300 baud): First satellite had a bad rocket, so instead of a circular 22,500-mile (I don't know whether that's above the ground or above the center of the Earth, do you know? There's a 4000-mile difference, about one part in five, which is pretty significant.) orbit it got only to a 100-by-300-mile (appx) orbit (these are miles from ground, not from center of Earth!). Balloon to use as radar practice target burst, but they got servicable results from the remains as they drifted away. Second satellite went just like the first. - Both satellites seem to be functionning but in useless orbit. (I wonder if they'll go up and snarf up those two satellites and fit them with new rockets and try again, before it's too late and they burn up in the atmosphere?) Spacefloat (not walk!) went perfectly this morning.