SpaceViews Event Horizon

ISS Crews Chosen: VideoCosmos Co. of Moscow, Russia, and Novosti Kosmonavtiki Magazine report that the first four three-person crews have been selected for the International Space Station. The first crew consists of American William M. Shepherd and Russians Sergei K. Krikalyov and Yuri P. Gidzenko. The crews will alternate between one American/two Russians and two Americans/one Russian. Occupancy of the station will begin in early 1999, in shifts of approximately six months per crew. James Voss, one of the Americans on the second ISS crew, will also reported serve as a backup for astronaut Andy Thomas, the last American slated to stay on Mir. NASA has been having problems finding a backup for Thomas, since a backup would have the train for a Mir mission but would not have an opportunity to fly unless Thomas was unable to go.

Astronauts Retire: Two highly-regarded NASA astronauts announced their retirements in September. Story Musgrave, who tied a record for the most trips into space by an American with six shuttle missions, announced his retirement September 2. Musgrave, the only astronaut to fly on all five shuttles, set a record last year by becoming the oldest person to fly in space, at the age of 61. Musgrave had been told that he would not be considered for future missions. John Blaha, a veteran of four shuttle missions and a four-month stay on Mir, announced his retirement September 12. Blaha was pilot on two missions and commander of two more before spending four months on the station in late 1996 and early 1997. Blaha will become vice president of the USAA Corporation. Of the four astronauts who have returned from extended stays on Mir, only Shannon Lucid is still in the astronaut corps...

Senate to Consider Space Commercialization Bill: Two members of the U.S. Senate have reported agreed to support a companion bill to the Space Commercialization Act of 1997, currently being considered in the House. The Florida delegation of Senators Bob Graham, a Democrat, and Connie Mack, a Republican, will introduce the bill in the near future. Time is working against the passage of the bill, since the Senate is considering a recess date as early as October 15. The full House of Representatives has yet to vote on H.R. 1702, the House version of the bill.

Other News: The two Voyager missions marked their 20th anniversaries in late August and early September. Voyager 1 was launched on September 5, 1997 and Voyager 2 on August 20 (Voyager 1 was launched on a faster trajectory, hence the earlier designation). The two spacecraft provided detailed looks at the four gas giant worlds, and the RTG-powered spacecraft continue to return data on the sun's magnetic field and particle environment, especially important as the two craft approach the heliopause, the boundary between interplanetary and interstellar place... The Congressional bonehead award goes to Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) who, on a visit to JPL, asked if Mars Pathfinder had taken an image of the flag planted there in 1969 by Neil Armstrong! Quipped Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) to the Washington Times: "We just don't teach enough science." Worse, Jackson Lee, who represents Houston, is a member of the House Science Committee's space subcommittee. Perhaps some committee reassignments are in order...