May 2 1994
From The Space Library
NASA announced that the six astronauts who recently returned from Endeavour's mission would be available for interviews as time permits during their debriefing schedule. (NASA Release 94-67)
Astronaut Tom Jones was featured in a telephone interview in which he described his thrill with the experience of weightlessness, the spectacular views from the air, especially of the oceans and the distinctiveness of the various continents, the beauty of the United States, and the difficulty of readjusting physically to Earth's atmosphere. (B Sun, May 2/94)
NASA's last SCOUT (Solid Controlled Orbital Utility Test) launch vehicle was scheduled to blast off May 6 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California, the final of 118 space missions that began July 1, 1960. Called the Miniature Seeker Technology Integration spacecraft, the satellite is one in a series of military spacecraft being launched to develop sensors for ballistic missile devices. Since the mid-1960s, NASA gradually has gotten out of the unmanned rocket business, which was transferred to commercial manufacturers. (Fla Today, May 2/94; NASA Release 94-72; Fla Today, May 9/94; Reuters, May 9/94)
NASA announced the selection of a research consortium headed by IBM to carry out research and test computer systems for a new national aeroscience research program using parallel computer technology. NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, was to be the main computational site for the new program (NASA Release C94-k)
NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak stated that an annular eclipse would be visible to observers within a 145-mile wide path from El Paso, Texas, through Toledo, Ohio, and much of New England on May 10. The Moon will appear completely silhouetted against the Sun, which will form a dazzling unbroken outer ring for up to six minutes. People outside the ground path will see only a partial eclipse. (Reuters, May 2/94; W Post, May 4/94; B Sun, May 8/94; W Times, May 8/94; W Post, May 9/94)
The enthusiastic response of girls to attending NASA's "Take Our Daughters to Work Day" on April 28 was highlighted. The girls, ages 9 to 15, heard speakers and then trailed their parents or other staff members. (Federal Tames, May 2/94)
Vice President Al Gore made a brief fundraising stop in Huntsville, Alabama. He said that the International Space Station had tremendous foreign policy advantages for the United States as part of a new effort to create a partnership with Russia. Gore also cited Russia's decision to channel its resources into the Station rather than ballistic missile programs, for example. (Huntsville News, May 3/94; Htsvl Tms, May 3/94)
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