Space Forum / Shuttle / January 2004

Sorry if you think this is spam, but I've created a Yahoo group for people
who are interested in actually designing and constructing spacecraft,
satellites, probes etc. It's designed for discussion of technical matters,
and goverment policy where it relates to amatuer or commercial ...

I have seen on launch trajectory displays now, that a launch vehicle goes
up at a steep angle, levels off a bit as it flies downrange, and actually
noses down a bit before climbing into orbit. I can only assume the "nosing
down" idea is to build up speed. Is this the correct ...

For fun with the kiddies again this year:  http://www.noradsanta.org/
Merry Christmas...  :)
Roger

There's been this debate raging on another NG for some time and I thought it
only appropriate to bring it here.
I remember hearing as a youth that the manned space program was going to
benefit all of humanity via new materials, medicines and technology.

One of my friends told me they had a class project at high school where they
built a small rocket measuring about 2 feet tall and used 4 model rocket
engines. The idea was to get it into orbit... now apparently they spent the
whole term calculating everything needed to get it into ...

I've heard in some of the press conferences questions from the press about
concerns for potential dust devils in the vicinity of Spirit.  The response
to the questions was something like: the MER is heavy and could not be
tipped over by the dust devil.  I think this misses the point ...

Hi gang. Just read that a band called "Blur" created the phone home beacon
for the mars rover.
I am not a big fan of the band but found it an interesting choice.
Is there a website with an audio file of it?

How are the orbits of MGS and Odyssey set up?  I suspect there is not likely
to be an Opportunity to take a picture of Spirit from either of those two
orbiters when the sun is directory overhead of the rover.  If I am not
mistaken, the solar panels are sort of shiny and reflective. ...

We here at NASA, don't hire niggers or have them around.
We had so much trouble keeping track of the monkeys and apes we used to
shoot off into space in the 60s that we don't want anymore!
Robert Manning

During BBC and the other British news reports of shuttle flights I see
that there is a TV camera on the flight deck the living deck and at
the far end of the shuttle bay all which show live coverage of
activities during the mission.

.... and like the voice from the pinball machine "Rack 'em Up" used to
say....
"lot's more to do........"
Here are things I enjoyed...

Dear Internet User:
Good Day! This article I’ve written is all about the fact where I earned an
ASTOUNDING amount of money in less than a month and I’ve decided to share the
secret with you…(yah you the one reading this message) behind making big

Looking for life and water on the bottom of the RED Planet,
and finding WATER and DEATH on the bottom of the RED Sea,
on the SAME DAY...
They first claimed it was surely NOT a terrorist attack...

Was NERVA type or other nuclear engines ever considered for the space
shuttle? Do they generally release any radioactive materials or is this
completely contained? Is it still contained in failure modes? Thanks,
David

In the morning there was a bill for
a billion dollars on the night stand.
 On the top was written, "Had a great time, see you soon.  Columbia."