Re: HST Mark II?

From: Alson Wong (rasvp_at_yahoo.com.b_l_o_c_k)
Date: 02/04/05 

Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 17:54:13 -0800

<bratislav3162@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1107478116.820145.72230@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Yes, computer modelling was in its infancy in late 70's /early 80's but
> it DID NOT EVEN EXIST in 50's. Orbital elements, amount of fuel etc.
> were calculated BY HAND, on a piece of paper ! Nothing digital onboard,
> ultra primitive servos, no fancy insulation materials, no carbon fibre,
> ceramics and glues used in Shuttle, kilometers after kilometers of
> ordinary wires tied by cotton threads, and most important no decades of
> knowledge built up in 30+ years of space exploration. Gagarin didn't
> even know what was in store for him up there. To do it in something
> that was best described as zero generation ICBM with a tin can on top,
> screwed and welded together by a workforce that if you didn't live in a
> communist country you really don't have any idea, well yes, *in my
> opinion*, was bravest act of them all.

We should not forget to mention John Glenn, who flew the first manned Atlas
flight after the Atlas had failed twice in five previous launches.