Universe Today - August 31, 2000

the
U N I V E R S E
T O D A Y

Space Exploration News From Around the Internet, Updated Every Weekday.
August 31, 2000 - Issue #299
http://www.universetoday.com
info@universetoday.com

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-- UNIVERSE TODAY STORY SUMMARY --

* Hubble Images a Deceptive Object
* Atlantis is Cleared for Launch
* New Report Warns of Shuttle Worker Shortage


HUBBLE IMAGES A DECEPTIVE OBJECT
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Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered an object that looks like a dust enshrouded star, but it's not a star at all, and has been classified as a planetary nebula - the glowing remains of a dying, lightweight star. But astronomers believe there could be a different explanation for the object, that it could be a giant red star ejecting matter, and orbited by a much smaller white dwarf.

Original Source:
http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/pr/2000/24/

Internet Coverage:
http://www.cnn.com/2000/TECH/space/08/31/hubble.release/index.html
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0008/31hubble/

Similar Stories:
http://www.universetoday.com/html/topics/hubble.html

Related Sites:
http://www.universetoday.com/html/directory/astronomy.html


ATLANTIS IS CLEARED FOR LAUNCH
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NASA has officially cleared the Space Shuttle Atlantis to launch on September 8th, at 1:45pm GMT from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. During the 11-day flight, the crew will transfer equipment and supplies from the shuttle to the International Space Station, and will help prepare the station for when its permanent residents arrive later this year.

Original Source:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/spacenews/releases/H00-134.html

Internet Coverage:
http://www.cnn.com/2000/TECH/space/08/30/shuttle.cleared.ap/index.html
http://www.foxnews.com/science/083000/shuttle.sml
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts106/000829preview/
http://www.spaceviews.com/2000/08/29b.html

Similar Stories:
http://www.universetoday.com/html/topics/shuttle.html

Related Sites:
http://www.universetoday.com/html/directory/spaceshuttle.html


NEW REPORT WARNS OF SHUTTLE WORKER SHORTAGE
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A steady loss of skilled technicians and engineers could threaten a busy launch schedule warns a new report from the US Government Accounting Office. Over the last 5 years, the shuttle workforce has decreased 33 percent, to only 1,800 employees. The report notes that there are many unfilled positions, and current employees are starting to show signs of overwork and fatigue. At the same time, NASA is planning to double the number of space shuttles launched in order to get the International Space Station completed.

Original Source:
http://www.gao.gov/daybook/000829.htm">US General Accounting Office Report

Internet Coverage:
http://www.cnn.com/2000/TECH/space/08/30/shuttle.report.02/index.html
http://www.msnbc.com/news/447866.asp
http://www.flatoday.com/space/explore/stories/2000b/083100shuttle.htm

Similar Stories:
http://www.universetoday.com/html/topics/shuttle.html

Related Sites:
http://www.universetoday.com/html/directory/spaceshuttle.html


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