It is still commonplace to find Nasa publicity without metric units. "Spacecraft can weigh up to 150 pounds with a center of gravity (CG) no more than 10.25 inches above the separation plane. The spacecraft must also be balanced to within .25 inches of the ejection centerline. Maximum spacecraft diameter is 19 inches. Maximum height is 20.5 inches (depending upon carrier system configuration) Customers can choose to fly with or without an opening lid (Hitchhiker Motorized Door Assembly) at the top of the canister, and have options of ejection velocities from 1.0 to 4.0 ft/sec." http://ssppgse.gsfc.nasa.gov/ejection_sys/hes.html
"The average payload increased from 407 pounds in 1964 to more than 3000 pounds in 1988. Average balloon volume has increased from 2.8 million cubic feet (MCF) in 1964 to over 20.0 MCF in 1988. Today, payloads weighing 5000 pounds are quite common and balloons of 20 to 30 MCF are flown routinely." http://www.nsbf.nasa.gov/mission.html -- Terry Simpson Human Factors Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.connected-systems.com Phone: +44 7850 511794
