Contents of Spaceflight Magazine Volume 34

From The Space Library

Jump to: navigation, search
Title Co-authors Page
VOL. 34 NO. 1 JANUARY 1992
EURO PLANS HIT BY COSTS The long-awaited meeting of European Space Ministers ended with no decision on the future of ESA's ambitious manned space projects. After months of negotiation the deal fell apart when it became apparent the costs were too high for Germany. 2
INTERNATIONAL Space Report Our regular round-up of space news from around the World. Includes:Atlantis Mission Cut-Short by Navigation System Failure - JPL Makes Another Attempt to Free Stuck Galileo Antenna - Discovery on Schedule for January Launch - Italy to provide Logistics Modules for Space Station - TDRS Satellite is Operational - Another Zenit Failure - Atlas II Launches Eutelsat 2 - Eureca Arrives in the US. 6
VOYAGER SPACECRAFT STILL GOING STRONG More than two years after Voyager 2 encountered Neptune, both Voyager spacecraft are continuing to return data about interplanetary space. 11
MIR MISSION REPORT Despite the failed coup against President Gorbachev, the Soviet space programme continues. In October an Austrian and a Kazakh spent a week aboard the Mir space station, Neville Kidger has the details. We also present some exclusive colour photographs courtesy of Spaceview Operations Amsterdam. 12
SHUTTLE SCHEDULE NASA plans to launch eight Shuttle missions in 1992. Spaceflight presents details of the flights, the crew, launch dates and other useful facts. 18
STS-43 MISSION REPORT ATLANTIS LAUNCHES FOURTH TDRS SATELLITE DURING NINE-DAY FLIGHT NASA's fourth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite was deployed from the Space Shuttle Atlantis during a nine-day mission in August Spaceflight has its usual in-depth coverage of the flight, accompanied by some stunning colour photographs. 20
SPACE IN MINIATURE - CREATING THE FUTURE IN THREE DIMENSIONS As a BBC special effects man, Society Fellow Mat Irvine is often called upon to duplicate past, present and future spacecraft for the Corporation's television programmes. 28
WE'VE GOT A FIRE IN THE COCKPIT On the 25th anniversary of the tragic fire that killed three Apollo astronauts, Ed Hengeveld recalls the events of January 1967. 32
SOCIETY NEWS The British Interplanetary Society is planning a major space event in October 1992. 36
VOL.34 NO.2 FEBRUARY 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report This month's comprehensive report of space news from around the world. 38
IRIDIUM - COVERING THE GLOBE WITH PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS Peter A. Swan, John E. Hatlelid and David E.Sterling of Motorola Inc. report on the company's plans for a global personal communications system using a constellation of 77 satellites. 46
STS-42 PREVIEW: SHUTTLE TO CARRY INTERNATIONAL SPACELAB The Space Shuttle Discovery is due to blast-off in late January with the International Microgravity Laboratory or IML. The mission is a cooperative effort between NASA, six international space agencies and over 200 scientists from 13 different countries. Spaceflight presents a preview of the flight. 45
ALAN BEAN - FROM ASTRONAUT TO ARTIST In November 1969, Alan Bean became the fourth man to walk on the surface of the Moon. Now an artist, Bean has recorded on canvas some of the most historic moments of the Apollo programme. Keith Wilson spoke to the former astronaut in Houston. 54
Space at JPL Reports from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California by Dr WI. McLaughlin. 57
Correspondence Readers letters. 64
Book Notices 68
SOCIETY NEWS News from the British Interplanetary Society. 70
VOL.34 NO.3 MARCH 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report NASA Administrator Richard Truly Resigns - Britain to Study New Space Initiatives Says Major - Japanese Earth Resources Satellite Launched - Military Atlas II Makes its Debut - Magellan Resumes Venus Mapping Following Transmitter Failure. 74
SATELLITE DIGEST The August 1991 listing of satellites includes launches from four of the World's space powers. 80
THE SOVIET SPACE 'BACK-PACK' Neville Kidger looks at the history of the Soviet Union's Manned Manoeuvring Unit, used for the first time in February 1990. 82
STS-48 MISSION REPORT NASA's 'Mission to Planet Earth' got under way with the deployment of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite from the Space Shuttle Discovery last September. Spaceflight present a full report on the five-day mission. 84
SHUTTLE MISSION TO PROBE THE ATMOSPHERE In late-March, if all goes according to plan, the Space Shuttle Atlantis will blast off from the Kennedy Space Center on the first of a series of six Spacelab science missions called "ATLAS" — the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science. 90
NASA UNVEILS LEAN BUDGET FOR 1993 Before his shock resignation, NASA Administrator Richard Truly unveiled a lean budget for 1993.A lack of funds caused him to cancel several high profile projects, including the Comet and Asteroid Flyby mission and the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor for the Shuttle e. 93
Book Notices. 96
INTERNATIONAL SPACELAB MISSION AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS Steven Young reports from the Kennedy Space Center on the recent International Micro-gravity Laboratory Shuttle mission. The eight-day mission is being hailed by scientists as an outstanding success. 98
SPACE ACADEMY Angela Coster reports on a visit to the US Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. 100
THE BIRD THAT DID NOT WANT TO FLY Edward Hujsak writes from first hand experience about the problems of the Atlas E and F rockets, being assistant chief engineer for mechanical and propulsion systems at General Dynamics at the time of their development. 102
SOCIETY NEWS Includes results of the recent elections to the Council of the British Interplanetary Society. 106
VOL. 34 NO. 4 APRIL 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report Our regular round-up of space news from around the World. 110
MIR MISSION REPORT A space walk from the Mir space station was curtailed by the failure of a cooling system on one of the cosmonauts space suits. Neville Kidger has the details. 117
A SPACE PROGRAMME FOR PLANET EARTH Ian Crawford argues the case for a World Space Agency to manage space programmes on a global scale. 121
THE FIRST WATCHES WORN IN SPACE Alan Nelson reports on the wrist watches that accompanied the first cosmonauts and astronauts into orbit. 125
Correspondence Readers letters. 126
Book Notices A look at some of the latest space publications. 128
STS-44 MISSION REPORT Despite an early return to Earth, the STS-44 crew achieved the vast majority of their objectives. Six hours after making a spectacular nighttime blast-off they oversaw the deployment of a $300 million Defense Support Program (DSP) missile warning satellite. The flight w as cut short by the malfunction of a crucial piece of navigation equipment. Roelof Schuiling and Steven Young bring you our mission report. 130
SPACE SHUTTLE THERMAL BLANKETS While much has been written about the Space Shuttle's Thermal Protection System tiles, relatively little has appeared in print about the thermal blanket insulation that has largely replaced the white tiles on the fuselage of the orbiter. Joel W. Powell reports on these quilted blankets that protect the orbiter's structure against temperatures of 649 degrees Centigrade. 138
SOCIETY NEWS News from the British Interplanetary Society. 142
VOL. 34 NO. 5 MAY 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report Our regular round-up of space news from around the world. Includes: 'Stranded' Cosmonaut Returns - Atlantis Makes Mission to Planet Earth - China Hit by Second Launch Failure - Atlas Scores Another Success - Space Flight Chief to Leave NASA - Lageos II Arrives at K SC - N ASA Selects New Astronaut Candidates - Truly Recommends Shuttle Flight for Teacher. 146
STS-49 PREVIEW: SPECTACULAR DEBUT FOR ENDEAVOUR NASA's newest Space Shuttle, Endeavour is scheduled to make its maiden voyage in early May. Steven Young and Keith Wilson report on what is widely expected to be the most exciting Shuttle mission so far. During this week-long mission the astronauts will make a record-breaking three space walks from the Shuttle. They will attach a new rocket motor to a communications satellite stranded in the wrong orbit and practice space station assembly and crew rescue techniques. 152
VENUS - A PRIME SOVIET OBJECTIVE While the US explored the rest of the Solar System, the Soviets dominated the exploration of Venus for over a decade with their Venera programme. The road to Venus was long and difficult. In part one of a two part series, Donald F. Robertson, presents the story of the first phase of the Venera programme. 158
NASA'S SPACE OBSERVATORIES GET EXCITING RESULTS Despite their problems, NASA's 'Great Observatories' have been returning excellent data about some of the greatest mysteries of the Universe. Includes: Hubble Finds Evidence of Black Hole - Hubble Discovers Young Star Clusters - Compton Observatory Makes New Discoveries. 162
Space at JPL Reports from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California by Dr W.I. McLaughlin. - Ulysses Swings by Jupiter - Radar Tracking of Asteroids. - Lowering Mission Costs. 166
SOCIETY NEWS The British Interplanetary Society has awarded its Special Achievement Medal in Gold to Len Carter for his 47 year's dedication to the Society and its goals. 178
Correspondence A selection of readers' letters. 178
VOL. 34 NO. 6 JUNE 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report Our regular round-up of space news from around the World. Includes: NASA's COBE Spacecraft detects Structure of Early Universe - New NASA Chief Makes Key Appointments - 50th Ariane The First of a New Batch - Short Circuit Blamed for Launch Failure - Lageos II Arrives at KSC Yuzhnoye Offers Air-Launched Booster - Further Setbacks for H-II Rocket. 182
EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET EXPLORER: A VIEW INSIDE THE BUBBLE The launch of NASA's Extreme Ultraviolet on a Delta II rocket will herald a major step forward for astronomy. 190
Correspondence A selection of readers' letters. 194
STS-50 PREVIEW: COLUMBIA TO MAKE SPECTACULAR RETURN Columbia will make a spectacular return to orbit in June when it blasts-off with the United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML) on a 13-day mission, the longest in Shuttle history. 196
SOCIETY NEWS News from the British Interplanetary Society. 200
VENUS - A PRIME SOVIET OBJECTIVE Donald F. Robertson concludes his two part article on the Soviet Venera programme to explore Venus. 202
DISCOVERY MAKES 'AWESOME' INTERNATIONAL SPACELAB MISSION The first flight of the International Microgravity Laboratory mission has been hailed by scientists as an outstanding success. 206
THE SECOND COMING OF GIOTTO - PART 1: ENCOUNTER WITH HALLEY As the European Giotto probe approaches the comet Grigg-Skjellerup, Darren Burnham looks back to the spacecraft's historic encounter with the legendary Comet Halley. 210
VOL. 34 NO. 7 JULY 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report Our regular round. 214
SATELLITE DIGEST Listing the latest satellite launches. 220
ENDEAVOUR CREW CAPTURE SATELLITE The crew of the brand-new Space Shuttle Endeavour successfully captured the stranded Intelsat 6 satellite in a nail-biting last-ditch attempt. Two earlier tries had left the satellite tumbling out of control.. 221
ASTRONOMICAL NOTEBOOK A round-up of Astronomy news. 222
DISCOURAGING WORDS: FAMOUS QUOTES Space flight does not get a fair press in the mass media. This article is presented as an antidote to such depressing material. 225
THE SECOND COMING OF GIOTTO Part 2 In this, the second and concluding part of a our preview of the Giotto Extended Mission, Darren Burnham takes a closer look at the preparations for Giotto's forthcoming encounter with Comet Grigg-Skjellerup. 228
EURECA - AND EUROPE CAN SHOUT EURECA Eureca — the European Retrievable Carrier — is due to be placed into orbit this month by the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Norman Longdon reports. 232
Book Notices. 234
Correspondence A selection of readers' letters. 236
SOCIETY NEWS News from the British Interplanetary Society. 238
BIS ANNUAL REPORT. 240
1991 proved to be another eventful year for the British Interplanetary Society. Society President Tony Lawton presents his annual report. 199
VOL. 34 NO. 8 AUGUST 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report This month's comprehensive report of space news from around the World. 246
ASTRONOMICAL NOTEBOOK A round-up of astronomy news. 250
SPACE IN RECESSION: EUROPEAN SPACE INDUSTRY & BRITISH SPACE INDUSTRY - A PERSONAL VIEW This issue of Spaceflight puts the spotlight on the pause in growth now all too apparent in the European space industry and particularly on the almost terminal decline faced by the UK space industry. 252
SOLAR SAIL EXPEDITION TO THE MOON AND MARS: MISSION UPDATE An international scientific solar sail expedition and "race" to the Moon is planned for 1994. Robert L. Staehle, John M. Graham and John Champa report. 256
SOLAR SAILING FOR SETI AND ASTROPHYSICS Continuing our solar sailing theme, Gregory L. Matloff and Claudio Maccone look at some possible applications of solar sails. 259
NASA DEVELOPS HL-20 'SPACE TAXI' NASA's Langley Research Center has been studying a concept for a 'space taxi' based on the lifting body designs of the '50s and '80s. Ed Hengeveld has the details. 260
EURECA - AND EUROPE CAN CRY EUREKA PART 2 In the second part of this article, Norman Longdon reports on the payload for the first Eureca mission. 263
MIR MISSION REPORT In the latest of his regular Mir Mission Reports, Neville Kidger reports on the flight of a German astronaut to the Mir space station. 266
Book Notices. 270
Correspondence Readers' letters. 272
SOCIETY NEWS News from the British Interplanetary Society. 274
VOL. 34 NO. 9 SEPTEMBER 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report Our monthly look at space news from around the world begins with a report on the disappointing flight of the Italian tethered satellite aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. 278
SPACE AND THE MEDIA As part of the sixtieth anniversary celebrations of the British Interplanetary Society, the November issue of its Journal will be devoted to a variety of articles on space and the media. In this short article, Professor Jack Meadows, editor of that Journal, provides a taster of this special issue. 284
THE FLIGHT CONTROLLERS LOT IS NOT AN EASY ONE Dave Shayler and Andy Salmon interview Flight Director Chuck Shaw at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. 286
THE N1lL3 PROGRAMME D.A. Lebedev reports on the manned lunar programme of the former Soviet Union. His report includes exclusive photographs of Soviet lunar hardware. 288
EARLY SOYUZ HISTORY RECALLED The newspaper 'Moscow News' recently published new details about the history of the Soviet Soyuz programme. Neville Kidger has the details. 291
'HEAVY KOSMOS' REVEALED An exclusive report by J. P. Esderson the 'heavy kosmos' spacecraft and alternative design for the Soyuz capsule. 292
MIR & BURAN TO BECOME INTEGRATED New details have emerged on the use of the Buran space shuttle to assembly a new Mir space station. Lucien van den Abeelen reports. 293
Correspondence A selection of readers' letters. 295
THE PROTON LAUNCHER AT BAIKONUR The Proton launcher has served the USSR, and now the CIS, as its main heavy-lift satellite launch vehicle for over 25 years. F.A. Beswick reports on pre-launch operations at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. 298
Book Notices. 302
ASTRONOMICAL NOTEBOOK A round-up of astronomy news, including the Giotto encounter with Comet Grigg Skjellerup and Space Probe Diary. 304
SOCIETY NEWS One of the Society's most distinguished Fellows and former President, Arthur C. Clarke, celebrated his 75th birthday with a week-long celebration in his home-town of Minehead. 307
VOL. 34 NO. 10 OCTOBER 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report 1 A round-up of space news from around the World. 310
EUROPEAN RENDEZVOUS Norman Longdon reports that Eureca is now operational after its earlier difficulties. 312
ASTRONOMICAL NOTEBOOK A round-up of astronomy news. 313
Correspondence A selection of readers letters. 316
A GLORIOUS HOBBY - SPACE PHILATELY Les Winick writes about his collection of space postage stamps and the up-coming sale of part of his unique collection. 320
SPACE IN THE CLASS-ROOM Members of the University of Kent have recently been working with primary schools to promote the teaching of space. Mike Howell writes about this work and the great interest it has aroused. 323
ION PROPULSION - SCIENCE FICTION BECOMING SCIENCE FACT D.G. Fearn reports on the work being undertaken in the UK to design and construct ion propulsion, previously referred to only in the books of science fiction authors. 324
Space at JPL Reports from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California by Dr W.I. McLaughlin. 327
STS-45 MISSION REPORT Roelof Schuiling reports from the Kennedy Space Center on the March flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis with the ATLAS atmospheric laboratory. 332
INTERNATIONAL Space Report 2 More space news from around the World. 336
SOCIETY NEWS Features plans for the British Interplanetary Society's 60th Anniversary. 338
VOL.34 NO. 11 NOVEMBER 1992
INTERNATIONAL Space Report Late items of space news. 342
ASTRONOMICAL NOTEBOOK The latest news in astronomy, including 'Space Probe Diary'. 344
SPACE, WHAT IS AILING? Readers' letters. The Facts about the Society. 346
Correspondence A selection of readers' letters. 352
STS-50: SHUTTLE PROGRAM'S LONGEST MISSION Roelof L. Schuiling reports from the Kennedy Space Center on, STS-50, the longest mission in Shuttle history. 354
MIR MISSION REPORT There has been a lot of activity on the Mir space station over the last few months. Neville Kidger brings us up-to-date. 360
Book Notices. 364
EUROPEAN RENDEZVOUS Norman Longdon has the latest news from the European Space Agency, including a competition to win ESA videos. 366
SOCIETY NEWS The BIS 60th Anniversary year is underway. 368
THE WORLD SPACE CONGRESS Mark Hempsell reports from Washington on the World Space Congress, the first joint session of the IAF and COSPAR organisations. 370
VOL. 34 NO. 12 DECEMBER 1992
SPACE POLICY Roy Gibson, former Director-General of BNSC outlines his views on the way forward for a UK Space Programme. The Ministers' Meeting in Granada. Minister reviews Britain's Space Policy. Details of the Report on space by the European Commission. 374
MARS-94 PROJECT UK Group in "Marsquake" Search. Howard Shaw gives the details. 379
BIS 60TH ANNIVERSARY Joint Reception and Presentation of BIS Space Achievement Medal starts the Society's 60th Anniversary year. 380
INTERNATIONAL Space Report Monthly look at space news from around the World. 382
STS-53, STS-66 SHUTTLE PREVIEWS The Space Shuttle Discovery is due to blast-off in December. The IML-2 crew is named for a July 1994 Spacelab mission. 385
ASTRONOMICAL NOTEBOOK A round-up of Astronomy news including Hubble's Exploration of lo. 386
Space at JPL Reports from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California by Dr W.I. McLaughlin. 389
SPACE PROBE DIARY Our diary record of interplanetary space probes. 393
SOCIETY NEWS News from the British Interplanetary Society. 394
APOLLO 17 - 20th ANNIVERSARY Apollo 17 launched on 7 December 1972 was the final lunar Apollo flight. The 20th Anniversary of this event is commemorated by this special Apollo feature story by Ed. Hengeveld. 397
Correspondence A selection of readers' letters. 400
No. 1 HIT TARGETS MOON M. Hempsell interviews Tasmin Archer singer of the latest No. 1 Hit. 401
SPACE, WHAT IS AILING? We conclude our open forum with further readers' letters. 402