Mar 15 1991
From The Space Library
Fred Gordon, spacecraft operations manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, reported that NASA officially had retired the Dynamics Explorer-1 (DE-1) satellite on February 28, 1991, after nine years of collecting scientific data. The decision was based on an evaluation of the costs for DE-l's operations compared to the expected value of the science gained. According to Dr. Robert Hoffman, Project Scientist for the program, the spacecraft's cameras could see an entire Auroral zone, and the quality and quantity of data produced by the two DE spacecraft far exceeded expectations. DE-2 ended operations February 19, 1983. (NASA Release 91-42)
The Synthesis Group, a White House study group, planned to recommend U.S. development of nuclear-propelled rockets to send manned expeditions to Mars, according to Aviation Week and Space Technology. NASA established the group, chaired by retired Air Force General Thomas P. Stafford, an Apollo astronaut, to gather innovative ideas for lunar and Mars exploration. (AP, Mar 15/91; UPI, Mar 15/91)
The Space Studies Board of the National Research Council stated that a smaller, simpler new design for NASA's Space Station did not meet the basic research requirements for which it was to be built. This development came as NASA was preparing to solicit Congress for its annual funding and when the European Space Agency and other international partners had accepted NASA's new plan. (W Post, Mar 15/91; AP, Mar 15/91; UPI, Mar 15/91; B Sun, Mar 16/91; NY Times, Mar 16/91; C Trib, Mar 16/91; LA Times, Mar 16/91)
Dr. Lennard A. Fisk, Associate Administrator of NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications, announced that the Space Studies Board has long opposed justifying Space Station Freedom solely on scientific merit. However, the Board recognizes, and NASA concurs, that "there are national considerations for building a Space Station other than scientific research." Congress and NASA decided to build the Station in an evolutionary way so that ultimately it would meet the principal scientific research requirements intended. The Station represents a significant part of the long-term goals for the civil space program set by the President. NASA was confident that this was the time to proceed. (NASA Editors' Note N91-17)
Martin Marietta Corporation announced that it was building a $337 million space robot, technically a Flight Telerobotic Servicer, to be used in constructing Space Station Freedom. The robot was to have artificial computer intelligence and video cameras on each wrist and the top of its body. (B Sun, Mar 15/91)
A tiny crack was found on one of the substitute Shuttle hinges sent from Endeavour to spaceship Discovery. Dr. William B. Lenoir, head of NASA's space flight program, said the crack was too small to be a cause for concern. (NY Times, Mar 15/91; W Times, Mar 15/91; USA Today, Mar 15/91; AP, Mar 15/91; UPI, Mar 15/91)
William B. Lenoir, NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Flight, said discussion was taking place concerning the possibility of a Soviet cosmonaut flying on a U.S. Shuttle and a U.S. astronaut spending six months on the Russian Space Station Mir. (UPI, Mar 15/91)
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