Article Abstract:
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) is adopting a new approach as the 21st century approaches. It has increasingly focused on research and innovation as its budget has been cut, and this led to the Discovery missions, using relatively small-scale scientific craft. Nasa is now developing its New Millennium programme, which aims to develop more advanced fleets of micro-spacecraft. Deep Space 1, which will be launched on Oct 25, 1998, will be the first stage in this programme.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
Nasa launches a 3 1/4-ton orbital ovservatory, the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (Euve) on Jun 4 1992 and a satellite called Solar, Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (Sampex) on Jun 18 1992. Euve will research ultraviolet wavelengths. Sampex will investigate energetic electrons and ions. It cost $35 million and was ready to launch three years from design. Euve cost $214 million. However, it is impossible to use a large telescope on a small craft.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
James Chipman Fletcher became head of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1971 after a career research physicist and educator. He promoted reusable space shuttles and joint US-Soviet missions in order to cope with the budget shortages that dominated his six-year tenure. He was called back to NASA in 1986 by President Reagan to oversee the reorganization of the agency in the wake of the loss of the space shuttle Challenger.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: