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From: wmartin@brl-vgr.ARPA (Will Martin )
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: Solar Max troubles - (nf)
Message-ID: <93@brl-vgr.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 11-Apr-84 10:42:31 EST
Article-I.D.: brl-vgr.93
Posted: Wed Apr 11 10:42:31 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Apr-84 07:16:56 EST
References: <1191@sdccs7.UUCP>, <2701@alice.UUCP>
Organization: Ballistics Research Lab
Lines: 29

I'm mystified about this business regarding the fuel for the MMU's vs
the Shuttle maneuvering fuel. Not only the network news people (NBC)
but also the advisors (astronauts, scientists, whoever) were
specifically discussing that Pinky's MMU fuel gauge was "red-lined";
that he only had enough MMU fuel to get back to the Shuttle, so
he had to let Solar Max go and get back. There was no choice; it
was a "mission rule". I assumed he ran out because he had the MMU
thrusters on full while he hung on to Max trying to slow its rotation.
It wasn't surprising that he would run out. And since they wanted
to do the activity in sunlight, they had to wait until the next
orbit anyway to continue, as they approached nightside. But what
irked me was that NOBODY (advisors, newscritters, whatever) ever
mentioned refueling the MMU -- they talked about using the OTHER MMU.
They never said that it wasn't possible, that it would be possible
but wasn't wise or safe, or that there wasn't any source for more
MMU fuel, or ANYTHING! They just left the topic hang!

Now I see net discussion saying that it wasn't the MMU fuel, but
the shuttle thruster fuel that was the limiting factor. That is
NOT what was clearly and specifically said at the time. The term
"red-lined" was used repeatedly, and it was the MMU they were
referring to.

Now that the point is moot, I expect no one will ever say anything
publically about it again, but I still am irritated by the
failure of the people on the tv to ask and answer the OBVIOUS
questions that occur to the audience. 

Will