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From: aws@ITI.ORG ("Allen W. Sherzer")
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: LLNL size and Fred micrograv environment
Message-ID: <9011131955.AA18407@iti.org>
Date: 13 Nov 90 19:55:19 GMT
References: <2721@polari.UUCP>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: Evil Geniuses for a Better Tomorrow
Lines: 45

In article <2721@polari.UUCP>:

>+This is not a benefit, it is a liability.  Ask the micrograv
>+researchers.  A free-flyer can be tailored to the job, and
>+does not suffer from vibration or CG shifts on the station proper.

>In an ideal sense this is true.  In practice, experiments fail all
>the time, and benefit from human intervention to get them going
>again.

But then the things you do to fix the failed experiment may well
break several others. This is why microgravity people would rather
have a free-flyer.

>It is rather the reverse, the experiments will have to be scheduled
>around when the burns are required, which will be once or twice per
>orbit.

Not a serious problem.

>+On a manned platform, you are going to have vibration any time the 
>+crew is moving around, which will be much of the time.  There is work
>+which cannot be done on a manned platform, and the Fred design
>+doesn't allow for it at all.

>Indeed.   It is a trade off.  NASA considers human presence to be
>of benefit, on balance.

This is true. The problem is that the benefit goes to NASA and not
to the people doing microgravity work.

       Many material scientists, concerned over vibrations in
       the station that would be caused by nearby astronauts,
       continue to urge NASA to consider removing their projects
       to orbiting laboratories that would only be visited by
       astronauts.

               -- Avation Week Nov. 12, 1990 page 27

  Allen
-- 
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