Space Forum / Space History / March 2006

In an unpublished op-ed here
<http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/archives/science_policy_general/000
739unpublished_oped_s.html>,
Roger Pielke claims that Apollo flight schedules were changed to
accommodate the 1972 election at the direction of the Nixon White

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash8na.htm
NASA'S CASSINI DISCOVERS POTENTIAL LIQUID WATER ON ENCELADUS
Thu Mar 09 2006 11:21:33 ET
[Press release set for 2 PM ET release]

In what direction, in relation to the earth, is a direction that is
perpendicular to the plane of the galaxy at a given time of rotaion and
orbit? Say at 12 noon gmt at the spring equinox.

Could someone explain the basics of the escape tower on the Mercury
capsules?  How was it supposed to work?  Did it lift the capsule off the
rockets during take off?  What about before launch?  If the rocket was about
to explode was the escape tower supposed to lift the capsule ...

what say you?

Does anyone have pad load data for any AGC other than the one in
Aquarius? And preferably a CM AGC?
   Mark

Note historical background at end of story:
msnbc.com (Oberg): Space crew weathers a scare during re-entry
Air leaked out of Russian descent module as it flew from station to Earth
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9697668/

If you're in the Salt Lake area tomorrow, come see the RSRM firing at
ATK-Thiokol., scheduled for 1 PM. I've seen two... impressive as all
get-out. Plus, it brings in every bald eagle for forty miles.

   I posted this question on the sci.space.tech newsgroup but that place
seems deader than a door nail. So, here it is for all of you:
   I just finished reading This New Ocean that covers the space age.  I
really wasn't looking forward to the Skylab part but after I read it and

   Has it ever been determined what really caused the hatch to pop early
after his capsule touched down in the ocean?  It was either the result of a
mechanical malfunction or Grissom actually caused it to pop accidentally.
Correct?

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/03/03/cunningham.sentence.ap/index.html
                OM

Purely by accident, was tuned to ABC this morning when the TV was
turned on.
There was Buzz, talking about walking on the Moon.
Simply great.

    Does anyone know yet whether a decision has been reached
concerning the type of camera the astronauts will use when they return
to the Moon, particulary on EVA's?  Eg; digital, or film, or a
combination of both?