
SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0926
* SpaeNews 26-Sep-94 *
 
 
BID: $SPC0926
 
 
                               =========
                               SpaceNews
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                        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.
 
 
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