Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!ucbvax!space From: tencati@JPL-VLSI.ARPA Newsgroups: net.space Subject: RE: Naming Uranian Moons Message-ID: <8602051830.AA00883@s1-b.arpa> Date: Wed, 5-Feb-86 13:17:22 EST Article-I.D.: s1-b.8602051830.AA00883 Posted: Wed Feb 5 13:17:22 1986 Date-Received: Fri, 7-Feb-86 22:07:36 EST Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The ARPA Internet Lines: 33 I do not feel that the moons of Uranus should be named after the astronauts who died. It was a national tragedy, the country is saddened, but I don't feel that the United States is any more special in this world than any other country. True, it was a NASA probe that discovered the satellites, but I don't see where that gives NASA or the US the right to name the moons after something that only affects Americans. I would like to believe that the new moons of Uranus belong to mankind (sort of like the movie 2010). The mexicans lost over 200 people in an air-related disaster the very next day after challenger blew up. In 100 years, the names of the seven who died will only be alive in history books. I think a more fitting memorial is to do something NOW. Like build or rename a school for schoolteacher McAuliffe (sp?). So that today's pupils remember and honer her memory and what she stood for. Naming moons of a planet that noone can see seems silly to me. Naming a crater on the moon is a nice idea, but we aren't going to have a moonbase in mine or my grandchildren's lifetime. It's a nice idea, but who is going to fund it. Let us not only concentrate on the loss of America's first civilian-astronaut either. There were six other brave souls whose lives were just as important as McAuliffe's. I feel the media is brushing the others aside, giving them "honorable mention", while McAuliffe get's "star" attention. The families of the other six are grieving just as bad, their loss is just as great. Most of them left spouses and children behind. I think a memorial to all the crew is fitting. Something we can all see, and touch, and experience....now while everyone who is alive can appreciate who those people were, and teach our children about America's first "space pioneers". Ron Tencati, JPL-VLSI.ARPA Jet Propulsion Laboratory 4800 Oak Grove Dr. Pasadena, Ca. 91109 -----------------------------------------------------------------------