Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!att!pacbell!ames!topgun.dspo.gov!lanl!opus!dante!lesc
From: lesc@nmsu.edu (Lief Kirschenbaum)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Space Program-related acronyms
Keywords: acronyms
Message-ID: <298@opus.NMSU.EDU>
Date: 7 Aug 89 21:14:05 GMT
References: <135@sdcc10.ucsd.EDU>
Sender: news@nmsu.edu
Reply-To: lesc@dante.UUCP (Leif Kirschenbaum)
Organization: Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Company
Lines: 41

In article <135@sdcc10.ucsd.EDU> bruno@sdcc10.ucsd.EDU (Bruce W. Mohler) writes:
>Known abbreviations (acronyms) used in the space shuttle program:
>
>TDRS  - Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
>Sameer
>-- 
>Bruce W. Mohler
>Systems Programmer (aka Staff Analyst)
>bruno@sdcc10.ucsd.edu

   White Sands Test Facility has on its grounds the main downlink
station for the Tracking Data and Relay Satellite System. It's
TDRSS Tracking Data and Relay Satellite System

I can see the three antennas out my window right now.  It's run by Goddard
and is about as secret as a fusion bomb plant; barbed wire fences, high
security, etc.  I'm told that the TDRSS system could/may now carry
sensitive DoD information.  They've also built another station about a mile
and a hlaf further in the desert.  The office building is built but the
antennas aren't up yet.  I don't understand it; a mile and a half away,
one nuke/tornado/hurricane would still get both stations.  I would
imagine they would spread them many miles apart.  The antennas don't appear
to move at all.  Contel is contracted to take care of the whole system.

  Also, we have the honor of maintaining a Shuttle landing strip down the
road.  It used to be called Northrup Strip, but after the shuttle landed
there a few years back they renamed it White Sands Spoace Harbor
WSSH White Sands Space Harbor

  When the shuttle landed here, no one thought to cover the engine nozzles
and wind blew sand into the engines.  Ever since then NASA has been wary of
landing a shuttle here.  Astronauts also do landing training in aircraft
at the shuttle strip.  The aircraft are modified to perform like a shuttle.
(I suppose they throw a wrench in the engine and fill the unoccupied
seats with concrete ;-) )



The views presented here are not those of my employer, but are solely
mine.  -Leif S. Kirschenbaum, Technical Associate, Lockheed Egineering
UUCP: opus!dante!lesc 		Internet:lesc@nmsu.edu