May 2 1991
From The Space Library
The media gave extensive coverage to Discovery's maneuvers as it conducted missile-detecting experiments for the Pentagon. The scientific satellite, which it launched previously, captured with infrared sensors and television cameras engine exhaust plumes and plumes from smaller steering jets. (B Sun, May 2/91; W Post, May 2/91; W Times, May 2/91; NY Times, May 2/91; USA Today, May 2/91; P Inq, May 2/91; LA Times, May 2/91 AP, May 2/91; UPI, May 2/91; CSM, May 3/91)
The press reported hearings of the Government Operations Subcommittee on Government Activities and Transportation at which NASA Administrator Richard Truly defended NASA against charges by the General Accounting Office (GAO) that it understated the cost of the planned Space Station and its operations through 2027 by at least $34 billion. Truly questioned GAO figures and stated it was time to begin building the station rather than submit it to further study or audit. (W Post, May 2/91; NY Times, May 2/91; W Times, May 2/91; WSJ, May 2/91; B Sun, May 2/91; P Ina, May 2/91; LA Times, May 2/91; Plain Dealer, May 5/91)
Space Shuttle Columbia began its trip from an assembly building at Kennedy Space Center to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, a four-mile journey. (AP, May 2/91)
NASA announced the selection of Lawrence J. DeLucas of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Eugene H. Trinh of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, to fly as payload specialists on the first U.S. Microgravity Laboratory mission, scheduled for June 1992. (NASA Release 91-66)
NASA announced it was seeking applications from new astronaut candidates with a cut-off date of July 1, 1991. The next class of candidates was scheduled for July 1992. Two types of positions were available: mission specialist for those with significant scientific backgrounds and pilot for those with extensive piloting experience in jet aircraft. (NASA Release 91-67; H Chron, May 3/91)
NASA announced that astronaut Mary L. Cleave would become Deputy Project Manager for Sea Viewing Wide Field Sensors at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. Her work would involve supervising a joint NASA and commercial project to learn about the biological mass in the ocean by studying the chlorophyll content to determine how much plankton is produced. (NASA Release 91-68; H Chron, May 3/91)
David Webb of the White House National Commission on Space, speaking at a U.S. Space Foundation National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, said that the commission in 1985 had recommended increased NASA spending for research and development. However, Admiral John Poindexter, then National Security Adviser, opposed it, with the result that no action was taken. (Washington Technology, May 2/91)
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