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ZL2VAL > TECHNO 09.03.05 11:08l 92 Lines 3822 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : D50886ZL2VAL
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Subj: NASA helped record solo flight
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Sent: 050308/0825Z @:ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC #:58514 [New Plymouth] FBB7.00g
From: ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
To : TECHNO@WW
March 9, 2005
NASA helps record flight
BY JOHN KELLY
FLORIDA TODAY
CAPE CANAVERAL - NASA technology played critical roles in last week's
record-breaking solo, nonstop flight around the world by wealthy
adventurer Steve Fossett.
On a gangly airplane created by Burt Rutan, the genius designer behind
the world's first privately fielded space vehicle Space-
ShipOne, Fossett took off from Salinas, Kan., and flew three days around
the world without stopping for fuel or sleep or anything else, before
touching back down at the same rural airport Thursday.
Fossett's trip might not have been possible without the help of tools
provided by NASA's space agency.
First, the flight tested some experimental NASA communications
equipment. The GlobalFlyer carried an advanced experimental Tracking and
Data Relay Satellite System transceiver dubbed the Low Power Transceiver.
A bonus for the mission control team: The communication tool allowed
them to stay in constant contact with Fossett throughout the three-day
flight with a live video feed from the cockpit.
NASA's researchers are pursuing the technology for slightly different
purposes. The space agency thinks the Low Power Transceiver could be a
cheaper option for relaying information to and from spaceships. The
tracking satellites already provide nonstop data relay and
communications between orbiting spacecraft and the ground.
The tests aboard GlobalFlyer were aimed at finding out how the new
transceiver functions in real flight. Most important was how the device
performed in delivering a constant video feed.
People at Kennedy Space Center and three other NASA centers contributed
technology for the video test and, last week, also aided in monitoring
Fossett's historic flight.
In addition to the communications feed, NASA loaned the GlobalFlyer team
a device called Personal Cabin Pressure Monitor. And, the team had to
modify it to function in a special way for Fossett's mission.
The device monitors the pressure in the cabin and alerts a pilot of
potentially dangerous conditions. In this case, GlobalFlyer's cabin is
incredibly loud. The device typically sounds an audible alarm. Fossett
would have never heard that over the roar inside the GlobalFlyer's
cockpit. Instead, the team modified the alarm to vibrate if there was a
problem -- much like a cellular phone sent to vibrate.
"We're proud of our very talented, dedicated people and cutting-edge
technologies and look forward to even more partnering in the future,"
said William Readdy, NASA's Associate Administrator for Space
Operations, after Fossett landed.
Fossett's flight was an adventure in every sense. The man spent 67 hours
without sleep and "eating" 12 not-so-tasty milkshakes before landing
back at Salinas Municipal Airport.
In flight, the mission overcame periodic failures of its navigation
systems and appeared, while in Japanese airspace, to be running out of
fuel too quickly. Fossett pondered a Hawaii landing, aborting the
mission, but a solid tailwind helped him overcome the fuel issue as he
crossed the Pacific Ocean.
-=###=-
73, Alan
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