CC.Clive@UTEXAS-20@sri-unix (11/30/82)
From: Clive Dawson <CC.Clive at UTEXAS-20> For those of you familar with the paradox of interesting vs. uninteresting numbers, I offer the following "proof" that all future manned space launches are destined to receive live TV coverage forever: As the frequency of launches increases and they become more and more routine, the TV networks will eventually decide that such an event is no longer newsworthy and therefore does not deserve live coverage. Yet this event itself (i.e. the fact that launches have passed below the newsworthiness threshold) would certainly be a milestone in the space program. Naturally such a launch immediately becomes newsworthy again, and the networks show up in force. Q.E.D. :=) -------
dpd (12/03/82)
Actually I envision a cable station devoted to covering space travel which will be a continuous event. Similar to the gavel to gavel coverage of Congress on the (I think) USA Network. People who read netnews will subscribe to this channel which will be more interesting than netnews.
karn (12/07/82)
NASA does use a domestic communications satellite to relay shuttle video and audio. My understanding is that Satcom F-1, transponder 9 is used for this purpose (although I don't have a satellite receiver to verify it.) Satcom-1 was the original "cable TV" satellite, used until Satcom-3R became operational as the prime satellite for cable television programs. When 3R went on line, 1 was repositioned and is now used only lightly for special contract services such as NASCOM. Since most cable operators have only a single dish pointed at 3R, they are unable to carry NASCOM. Newer or richer companies might have a spare dish (and receiver) that could be used during shuttle flights if enough people expressed their interest. In my case, the local company told me before STS-4 that they were willing to carry NASCOM if I found out for them the appropriate transponder, as long as it was on 3R; they were obviously unable to provide coverage. Phil Karn