NASA Daily News Summary

For Release: June 9, 1999

Media Advisory m99-115

Summary:

-- Video File for June 9

-- Upcoming Live Interview Opportunity: Hyper-X...Preview of 21st
Century Space Flight, June 10
-- Upcoming Live Interview Opportunity: Living Under the Lightning
Bolts, Research Could Improve Severe Weather Forecasting, June 11

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No news releases have been issued today.

If NASA issues any news releases later today, we will

e-mail summaries and Internet URLs to this list.

Index of 1999 NASA News Releases:

http://www.nasa.gov/releases/1999/index.html

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Video File for June 9, 1999

ITEM 1 FUSE (TRT 05:55) (REPLAY)

ITEM 2 HYPER-X (TRT 04:22) (REPLAY)

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ITEM 1 FUSE (TRT 05:55) (REPLAY)

The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer spacecraft (FUSE)

mission seeks to answer long-standing questions about the origins of the
universe. FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest
elements in the universe --hydrogen and deuterium. FUSE will also
examine the forces and processes involved in the evolution of galaxies,
stars and planetary systems.

ITEM 1A FUSE ANIMATION

ITEM 1B FUSE LOOKS WITHIN AND BEYOND MILKY WAY

The FUSE science team will study the hot gas content of our galaxy,
the Milky Way, and its nearest neighboring galaxy, the Magellanic
Clouds. To conduct these large studies, FUSE will observe hundreds of
astronomical objects, using about half of the observing time during the
three year mission.

ITEM 1C FUSE IN THE CLEAN ROOM AT GODDARD

The Johns Hopkins University developed FUSE for NASA. Johns Hopkins
University has the primary responsibility for all aspects of the
project, including both development and operational phases of the
mission. This is the first time that a mission of this scope has been
developed and operated entirely by a university. Credits: NASA and
Orbital Sciences Corporation

ITEM 1D ANIMATION OF FES ON FUSE

Animation shows the Fine Error Sensor (FES) and how it operates on the
FUSE satellite. FES is a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera which takes
star images by focusing light from the field of the primary mirror onto
a CCD through any of three filters. FES provides pointing information to
the satellite attitude control system. Credits: NASA and CSA

Contact at NASA Goddard: Donna Drelick, 301/286-7995;

Contact at NASA Headquarters: Don Savage, 202/358-1727.

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ITEM 2 HYPER-X (TRT 04:22) (REPLAY)

ITEM 2A HYPER-X ANIMATION

NASA's Hyper-X program seeks to demonstrate, for the first time, a
hypersonic air-breathing engine in flight. Engineers believe this engine
will do for space flight what the jet did for air travel. Animation
shows a rocket boosting the Hyper-X research vehicle to the test
altitude and speed. It will be the first time a non-rocket engine powers
a vehicle in flight at hypersonic speeds.

ITEM 2B HYPER-X WIND TUNNEL TESTS

The 8 ft. High Temperature tunnel at NASA's Langley Research Center
very accurately simulates the speed and temperature of the Hyper-X
flight. Footage show Langley researchers test firing a model of the
Hyper-X research vehicle in preparation for the first realistic flight
of this new engine concept early next year.

ITEM 2C INTERVIEW
Larry Huebner, Hyper-X propulsion engineer, NASA Langley Research
Center

Contact at NASA Langley: Keith Henry, 757/864-6120

Contact at NASA Headquarters: Michael Braukus 202/358-1979.

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UPCOMING LIVE INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: HYPER-X.....PREVIEW OF 21ST CENTURY
SPACE FLIGHT, JUNE 10

TOPIC: NASA is looking at concepts that promise to make space flight

routine by the middle of the 21st Century. Right now, NASA engineers
are testing an engine that "breathes" oxygen from the air, something
other rocket-powered spaceships can't do. Present-day rockets carry
their liquid oxygen with them in heavy tanks. Air-breathing vehicles
will be lighter and more cost effective than current rockets and will
operate more like airplanes. Researchers at a wind tunnel at NASA
Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, are testing an air-
breathing engine at seven times the speed of sound -- preparing for the
first realistic flight of this new Hyper-X engine concept early next
year.

TALENT: Hyper-X Propulsion Engineer Larry Huebner, NASA Langley

Research Center

TIME: June 10, 1999, 6-10 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. EDT

To schedule an interview, call Ivelisse Gilman, 757/864-5036.

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UPCOMING LIVE INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: LIVING UNDER THE LIGHTNING BOLTS
 -- RESEARCH COULD IMPROVE SEVERE WEATHER FORECASTING, JUNE 11

TOPIC: In the time it takes you to read this sentence, lightning will strike
about 100 times around the world. A single bolt has 1 trillion watts of
electricity with temperatures up to 27,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lightning is one of the most powerful forces in nature. Understanding it
takes dedicated, intensive study. Lightning researchers are pursuing
more accurate severe weather forecasting and improved public safety.
This week, experts from around the world are talking about lightning and
other flashy subjects at the 11th quadrennial International Conference
on Atmospheric Electricity in Guntersville, AL.

TALENT: Lightning Expert Steve Goodman, Global Hydrology and Climate

Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

TIME: June 11, 1999, 6-9 a.m. EDT

To schedule an interview, call Connie James, 256/544-2188 or pager

256/544-1183 (PIN 0224).

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end of daily news summary