Aalice.160 net.columbia utzoo!decvax!duke!mhtsa!research!alice!sjb Fri Nov 13 20:33:48 1981 update Here are the TV networks' plans for tomorrows coverage of the shuttle landing: NETWORK COVERAGE TIMES (EST) CBS 1500 - 1630 NBC 1500 - 1700 ABC 1610 - 1630 ------------------------- So far, Engle and Truly have accomplished the following in their abbreviated flight: _ Accumulated some data on the Earth. This will help scientists somewhat to know where resources are and how the shuttle can perform experiments of this sort. _ Improvement of launch techniques. Most importantly was the quick fix water spray system that worked perfectly in reducing the SRB shock wave. _ Successful tests of the shuttle's jet thrusters which send the ship into different orbital positions Officials concluded that this is about 90% of the main mission goals. If the shuttle lands safely, it will have accomplished the biggest test: proving that the shuttle is indeed a vehicle that can be repeatedly launched and brought back into/from space. ------------------------- Damage to pad 39A was ``80% less than last time...Basically, the damage is nothing that can't be washed down or painted.'' The most significant factor was the water spray system. Designed to reduce the SRB shock wave by a factor of four of what they were in April, it succeeded in cutting them by five. Other damage included some bricks blown loose in the fire trench, a demolished camera, a fan ripped off from the white room, and a screen on the external tank arm. Repairs began one hour after launch and are already ahead of schedule. ----------------------------------------------------------------- gopher://quux.org/ conversion by John Goerzen of http://communication.ucsd.edu/A-News/ This Usenet Oldnews Archive article may be copied and distributed freely, provided: 1. There is no money collected for the text(s) of the articles. 2. The following notice remains appended to each copy: The Usenet Oldnews Archive: Compilation Copyright (C) 1981, 1996 Bruce Jones, Henry Spencer, David Wiseman.