Jun 11 1991
From The Space Library
According to the media, the Columbia astronauts were ahead of schedule on their experiments after spending 16- to 18-hour days working and planned to ease off and enjoy space more. On June 12 and 13, the press reported the continuing scientific experiments of the astronauts, culminating in efforts to fix two malfunctioning freezers in order to preserve experiment samples prior to final preparations for a landing on June 14. (P Inq, Jun 11/91; NY Times, Jun 11/91; B Sun, Jun 11/91; W Post, Jun 11/91; USA Today, Jun 11/91; UPI, Jun 11/91; USA Today, Jun 13/91; W Post, Jun 13/91; AP, Jun 13/91; UPI, Jun 13/91; LA Times, June 13/91; P Inq, Jun 14/91; NY Times, Jun 14/91; W Post, Jun 14/91; W Times, Jun 14/91; B Sun, Jun 14/91; Fla Today, Jun 14/91; AP, Jun 14/91; UPI, Jun 14/91)
The New York Times carried a major article stating that, to shave costs, aerospace experts have broken some of the rules about specifications and testing, resulting in significant flaws. Unless NASA were given more generous funding so it could stop "corner cutting" compromises, more serious problems were likely to arise. Norman R. Augustine, head of Martin Marietta Corporation, was quoted with regard to the importance of testing that should not allow it to be affected by budget reduction. (NY Times, Jun 11/91)
NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly issued a statement expressing his pleasure at being present with the Space Exploration Initiative and the work done by retired Air Force Lieutenant General Thomas S. Stafford and his Synthesis Group. He referred to past cooperation of NASA with these and other agencies and appreciation for innovative suggestions received from the Outreach Program efforts. Press comments on the Stafford committee report emphasized the controversial nature of some of its recommendations, such as landing Americans on Mars by 2014 and obtaining metals, ceramics, and energy sources from the Moon and Mars. (NASA Release unnumbered; LA Times, Jun 12/91; W Post, Jun 14/91; Huntsville News, Jun 25/91)
NASA announced that the application of its sensor technology led to the development of a portable fetal heart monitor by a Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia team, headed by Allan J. Zuckerwar. The marketing of this monitor was to be part of the NASA program to transfer the Agency's space age technology to the private sector. (NASA Release 91-90)
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