SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0926 * SpaeNews 26-Sep-94 * BID: $SPC0926 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution. * MACHHOLTZ-2 NEWS * ==================== Astronomers are keeping a watchful eye on Machholtz-2, a comet discovered to be racing toward the Sun by an American scientist last month. Shortly after the comet was discovered, observers reported the comet had broken up in a manner similar to comet Shoemaker-Levy-9 before its impact with Jupiter in July, and there is some concern the fragments of comet Machholtz-2 could impact the Earth in the future. Five fragments have been spotted so far, and all are heading for Earth's orbit. However, astronomers warn it is extremely difficult to predict the long-term behavior of the comet fragments and advise the comet will be monitored closely. * NOAA-11 FAILURE * =================== Reliable sources report that NOAA-11's AVHRR failed at 23:30 UTC on 13-Sep-94. A brief report indicated that the fault appeared to be electrical. NESDIS personnel have been working diligently to solve the problem, but it seems that APT as well as high resolution images are no longer available from NOAA-11 because of this failure. * AO-16 RELOAD COMPLETE * ========================= As of 0330 UTC on 21-Sep-94, the AO-16 File Server is open and returned to general use. The AO-16 Command Team would like to thank everyone for their patience during this important "Preventive Maintenance" reload. Thanks go to the AO-16 Command Team consisting of WJ9F, WD0E, VK7ZBX, KB5MU, as well as NK6K and WB9ANQ. [Info via Russ Platt, WJ9F] * NASA NEWS VIA E-MAIL * ======================== NASA press releases and other information are available automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to domo@hq.nasa.gov. In the body of the message (not the subject line) users should type the words "subscribe press-release" (no quotes). The system will reply with a confirmation via E-mail of each subscription. A second automatic message will include additional information on the service. Questions should be directed to (202) 358-4043. * MIR NEWS * ============ On 09-Sep-94 Malenchenko and Musabayev performed an EVA for the first time. The duration of the EVA was more than 4 hours (a reliable source even spoke about 5 hrs 2 mins.). During the pass in orbit 48915, between 1200 and 1207 UTC when Mir was VHF of observers in Europe, the cosmonauts reported the closure of the hatch at 1202 UTC. During this EVA they inspected the outside of the entire orbital complex, installed experimental materials on outside platforms for exposure to open space and removed other experiments of that kind for storage inside the complex. They repaired the damaged thermo-isolation layer on the transition section (P.Kh.O.) of which a 30x40cm piece had been torn away during the collision with Soyuz-TM17 in January 1994. The inspection made clear that the toughes of the freighter Progress-M24 during its second approach on 30-Aug-94 did not cause significant damage. On 13-Sep-94 the cosmonauts worked in open space for a second time. The EVA lasted 6 hours and 1 minute between 0631 UTC (opening of the hatch) and 1232 UTC (closure of the hatch). The cosmonauts performed many minor repairs, replaced bolts, screws, etc. of platforms and equipment on the outer surface of the complex. They also spoke about an old antenna. Activities of that kind must be done now and then, but have been often neglected during EVA's due to more important matters. The cosmonauts also did some preparatory work aimed at the future transfer of the solar batteries from Kristall to Kvant-1. This transfer has been put back again to the beginning of 1995. Radio communications during the EVAs were copied in Europe on a frequency somewhat lower than normal, 143.622 MHz, shifting by Doppler to 143.617 MHz. Listeners in Western-Europe, including the UK, who monitor MIR traffic during EVAs often experience heavy interference caused by cross-modulation from an airtraffic control frequency. [Info via Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202] * THANKS! * =========== Thanks to all those who sent messages of appreciation to SpaceNews, especially: 7J1AJH N2RIF VK3DTO K4TXK/KL7 OA4PQ WB5PUM N6EGY W8QX * FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED * =========================== Mail to SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any of the following paths: FAX : 1-908-747-7107 PACKET : KD2BD @ N2KZH.NJ.USA.NA INTERNET : kd2bd@ka2qhd.de.com -or- kd2bd@amsat.org SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, LUSAT-OSCAR-19 MAIL : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD Department of Engineering and Technology Advanced Technology Center Brookdale Community College Lincroft, New Jersey 07738 U.S.A. <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> /EX