The Space Shuttle STS-108 launch, with our Starshine 2 satellite aboard,
has been postponed until November 29, 2001. Engineers at the Naval Research
Laboratory have completed the installation of 845 student-polished mirrors,
31 laser retrorefectors and 2 micro-jet thrusters on the surface of the
Starshine 2 satellite shell in a clean room at their satellite assembly
facility. They have also completed the construction and assembly of a
pressure vessel and valve that will work with the micro-jet thrusters to
spin Starshine 2 at the start of its orbital mission. Schools in the
vicinity of the Naval Research Laboratory in southeast Washington, DC can
make arrangements to visit the laboratory and watch their mirrors being
vibration tested on the Starshine 2 satellite. Due to the aforementioned
delay in the launch schedule, this vibration test has been postponed until
July 2 and 3. Teachers wishing to schedule a visit to the laboratory should
send an email message to Mr. Bill Braun, Starshine Spacecraft Program
Manager, at braun@space.nrl.navy.mil
or call him at 202-767-0695.
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Photo by NASA
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