Mar 24 1993
From The Space Library
NASA announced that the most recent findings by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter spacecraft strongly suggested that planet Venus once had three and a half times more water than thought earlier-enough water to cover the entire surface between 25 and 75 feet deep. The findings supported the possibility of the presence of lightning on Venus and discoveries about the ionosphere and top of the atmosphere of Venus. Venus, considered Earth's twin planet, is today very dry and hot. (NASA Release 93-51)
NASA named Alphonso V. Diaz as the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Agency's new Office of Space Science, effective immediately. During his career at NASA, Diaz served as Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, managed the Galileo and Ulysses programs in the Solar System Exploration Division, and developed space science programs for Space Station Freedom. (NASA Release 93-53)
Scientists reported that a periodic comet named Swift-Tuttle might hit Earth on August 14, 2126. Later calculations suggested that Swift-Tuttle would not be a threat on that date but would be a definite threat in 3044. (Smithsonian Magazine, March/93)
The Washington Post reported that Maxime A. Faget, chairman and founder of Space International Inc., had resigned from his position as consultant to the Space Shuttle redesign team. Some NASA employees questioned Faget's objectivity because his company had earlier proposed its own alternative Space Station and design and because the company would likely bid on any new design proposal. Faget's resignation "was determined by both NASA and Space Industries as necessary." (W Post, Mar 24/93)
NASA unveiled a $300 million radar system that can take color pictures of Earth's damaged environment from a Space Shuttle. According to NASA project scientist Diane Evans, "In many cases, radar is the only way scientists can explore unaccessible regions on Earth's surface." The camera was scheduled to fly on the Shuttle three times, in 1994, 1995, and 1996. NASA and the German and Italian space agencies cooperated on the project. NASA paid half the cost. (AP, May 14/93)
NASA removed scientific samples and volatile fuels from the Space Shuttle Columbia on Tuesday. The Shuttle was grounded for at least three weeks because of an engine shutdown that had occurred three seconds before liftoff. (AP, Mar 24/93; UPI, Mar 24/93)
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