---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 14:34:14 -0600 (CST)
From: Gene Mechtly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "W. Brian Keegan, Chief Engr., NASA" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
"Richard H. Weinstein, Tech. Stds." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
"Paul J. Shawcross, Ldr., G-00-021" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: NASA Distortion
An associate has called my attention to the following public
information distortion by NASA:
"How can NASA continue to operate like this? Here are some further
examples of what would seem to be symptoms of a multiple personality
disorder on NASA's part." These "gems" from NASA's spaceflight.nasa.gov.
are posted in an "Expedition One Press Kit"; "Ascent/Insertion Timeline":
STS 102 would have a velocity of 1640 ft/sec. Later it would have a velocity
of 4921 ft/sec. And again later, 19685 ft/sec.
"Which came first - the chicken or the egg?" Obviously, 500 m/s, 1500 m/s,
and 6000 m/s are the original values which should be honestly reported
without adulterations in the NASA Press Kit.
"It might be fun to have students find this page - note the velocities -
translate them into SI velocity units - and ponder man's inhumanity to
man."
"My reference to a multiple personality disorder refers to the contrast
between the above calculations and this line which also occurs in the same
document:"
'Education and inspiration will couple to maintain U.S. economic leadership
by raising a new generation of science, math, and technology savvy children
that will invent 21 st century products and services.'"
There is no excuse for NASA to dumb down flight performance data
in the STS 102 Press Kit to further handicap non-savvy children!
Recall the Inspector General's Recommendation 8: "NASA's program
and functional offices should use SI as the preferred system for interactions
with the external community in public events, educational materials, and
Web site viewing. English units can be presented parenthetically."
NASA Management must implement IG Recommendation 8 if NASA is to
fully comply with Public Law 100-418 and Executive Order 12770!
Eugene A. Mechtly, College of Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
