Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Shuttle Launch Times
Message-ID: <1990Feb12.052438.28647@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <338@mtndew.UUCP> <171.UUL1.3#5131@mvac23.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 90 05:24:38 GMT

In article <171.UUL1.3#5131@mvac23.UUCP> thomas@mvac23.UUCP (Thomas Lapp) writes:
>I was under the impression that the reason the launch time was kept
>classified was so that the "enemy" couldn't have all their "fishing"
>trawlers in place and ready at launch time...

Trouble is, they've only got something like a four-hour window to fill,
and it's not hard to have the snoops in place for that long.  Especially
since anyone with binoculars can give you advance warning, because some
of the crucial events are quite noticeable.  (Removal of the "LOX beanie"
on the external tank means "launch imminent", and main-engine ignition
gives you several seconds of warning before the SRBs fire.)
-- 
SVR4:  every feature you ever |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
wanted, and plenty you didn't.| uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu