wegeng.wbst@PARC-MAXC@sri-unix (11/27/82)
From: Wegeng.wbst at Parc-Maxc I have mixed feelings about the lack of good, consistant coverage of the Shuttle's latest flight. As has been stated previously, the idea of spaceflight becoming "routine", and therefore not newsworthy seems to be desirable. As the general public becomes used to the idea of regular shuttle flights I believe that they will come to accept it more, and therefore less inclined to consider it to be a waste of money. We take for granted the benefits of space research, even though we don't always realize the source of those benefits. The public doesn't care where something came from if it works and helps. Now what we need is for the public to take for granted the source of those benefits, and the lack of good TV coverage seems to indicate that this is coming. On the other hand, I too would like to be able to learn of the results of shuttle experiments. Perhaps what is required is just more effort on the part of those interested to find the information. I have interests in other fields which do not get publicity, so to get information on those fields I subscribe to magazines, etc. which cover them. Not as fast as a TV report, but usually more detailed (and less biased). ==dw