PART 1: The Great Plant Debate: time to submit design
PART 2: Survey coming: please help us
PART 3: What's up in space
PART 4: A juggling act and Glasnost
PART 5: Interview with John Blaha

Hopefully your classrooms are winding up the design portion of The Great
Plant Debate. The final designs are due on November 4. Please submit your
designs as close to that date as possible. For instructions on submitting
your designs, see the previous updates-sm message (SMORE #5) or visit
this web address: 

The next step will be to begin debating the relative merits of various
designs. That debate is set to begin on Wednesday, November 4 and will
happen through a maillist called debate-sm. There are various ways to
participate in this action. You may receive the messages direct to your
email box, either in a standard or digested form. The standard mechanism
will deliver each contribution as a new mail message. If you already get
too much email coming in, then you may opt for the digest option. This
collates all of the contributions in the past 24-hours, which is then
forwarded as one email per day to you. In addition, you may access this
dialogue via the web at 

If you're new to S/MORE, and don't know what we are talking about, take a
look online at 

If your students haven't created their own designs, they are still welcome
to participate in the discussion and debate. Please consider joining in.

Finally, folks should might begin part two of the collaborative activity at
any time. This involves classes growing wheat seeds, collecting real data
about the experiment, and sharing it. This activity is scheduled to last from
November 1 through Christmas break. For more details, see this address:

We have had a wonderful response from people who have voluntarily
registered to support an eventual project evaluation. Thanks so much!

If you still haven't registered, please do. It won't take very much of your
time and it will provide us with critical information we need to
continue doing these projects. We are interested in hearing from
everybody, whether or not you are actually using this project to teach
students in a classroom. Please take a few moments and visit

Thanks again

WHAT'S UP IN SPACE

NASA 3/Mir 22 Status Report-7 

Mission Control Korolev
October 25, 1996 

Work continued apace aboard Russia's Mir Space Station this week as
U.S. astronaut John Blaha pressed ahead with numerous experiments,
taking time out for a brief orbital press conference, his first since
joining the Mir 22 crew over a month ago. [Editor's note: see the
transcipt of the press conference below]

Blaha joined his crewmates, Commander Valery Korzun and Flight
Engineer Alexander Kaleri in a news conference with U.S. reporters
Thursday. When asked what he missed most about being away from
Earth for such an extended period, Blaha put his family at the top of
the list and said he didn't miss the pull of gravity at all. He commented
at length on the usefulness of an orbiting space station and
complimented his Russian cosmonaut colleagues for their hard work. 

Reporters also asked Blaha whether he would be able to vote in the
upcoming U.S. presidential elections Nov. 5. Although Blaha didn't
know it at the time, officials in the U.S. are working with Texas state
election officials to try to arrange for the astronaut to cast his ballot
electronically. 

Blaha was interviewed on Tuesday by radio station WAZY in West
Lafayette, Indiana, home of his alma mater, Purdue University. His
daughter, who is a student at the university, sent greetings to her father
via a taped message during the interview. 

Highlights of experiment work this week included the downloading of
monthly data from the Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter
experiment, a radiation monitoring test, along with the changeout of
samples in the Biotechnology Systems (BTS) cartilage growth
experiment. BTS studies cell attachment patterns and interactions in
microgravity. 

Scientific research next week will feature more work with the Passive
Accelerometer System, (PAS), in which Blaha will observe the motions
of a small metallic ball as it travels down a narrow cylinder, offering
researchers information on the amount of residual gravity at the Mir's
altitude of 240 statute miles. That test also was performed Monday and
Friday of this week. 

Blaha became a Mir crew member September 19, trading places with
astronaut Shannon Lucid who completed a U.S.-record 188 days in
orbit. Blaha is scheduled to remain aboard Mir until mid-January when
he will be replaced by astronaut Jerry Linenger during the STS-81
mission, the fifth docking of Space Shuttle Atlantis to the Russian
outpost. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Life Science activities over the past week (for more information
about these activities, see the background section of the S/MORE web:

Payload Activities
The Mir crew's regularly scheduled daily science activities
included monitoring of the BioTechnology System (BTS) systems,
growth of bovine cartilage cells as part of the Cartilage
in Space (CART) experiment in the BioTechnology System (BTS)
facility, growth of wheat plants in the Greenhouse, and assessment
of the Materials in Devices as Superconductors (MIDAS) experiment. 

The Mir crew's regularly scheduled weekly science activities
included: Cartilage in Space (CART) sample removal, processing
and storage, as planned 

Completing (along with the other crewmembers and selected
Russian and American support specialists in TsUP) the weekly
"Interactions" questionnaires for the Crew - Ground Interactions
Investigation 

Performing the planned weekly functional check of the
Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA). 

During the week, the Mir crew also performed the first of three
planned analyses of changes in aerobic exercise capacity using
the United States' ergometer (data also collected on the Mir
crewmembers), deployed and retrieved the Solid Sorbent Air Sampler
(SSAS) as planned, collected a sample of cabin air with the
Grab Sample Container (GSC), replaced the growth media for
the Cartilage in Space (CART) experiment as planned (every 11 days),
performed BioTechnology System (BTS)/Cartilage in Space (CART)
sample processing and photography, downloaded the Tissue Equivalent
Proportional Counter (TEPC) data, and did Earth observations. 

the Russian Mir space station. Besides collecting good data, this equipment
must operate within the restrictions of spaceflight. To be successful,
George says, "I must be a self-starter and be able to figure out ways to
solve problems. It's good to have a broad background, be practical and find
simplified ways of doing things." See his biography at

A Juggling Act and Glasnost
George Fenton

July 30, 1996
When I come to work each day, I try to maintain continuity and progress
from the previous day's work. When I first arrive, I check my email and
phone messages, as well as my schedule for meetings throughout the day.
I work to solve design problems, consult with others for advice on
solutions, and generate paperwork to document hardware designs and
obtain hardware. I spend a lot of time clarifying constantly changing
requirements, as well as updating others on my progress. 

I juggle multiple tasks. I do a lot of running around and I must spend a lot
of time finding and considering solutions and alternatives to design
problems. In the last few years, I have been working part time and
pursuing my Master's degree, as well as recently having a child. I must
attempt to balance my responsibilities between all three, without depriving
any of the attention they need. Time conflicts between work, school and
my family most often result in lost sleep. 

I went to Moscow over two years ago to assemble flight hardware that I
had designed and built, and that was to be launched on a Russian launch
vehicle. The trip was close to mid-terms so I was only in Moscow for
approximately one week. 

The Russians are people just like us. Life in Russia can be hard and the
trip made me appreciate the quality of life in the United States. The
Russians are warm and friendly and they appreciate simple things. I
learned to appreciate what I normally take for granted in the United States.

In one instance, the people we were working with had not been paid for a
long time. A festival was taking place at the time and they still provided a
nice lunch for us. They were very pleasant and welcoming. 

Red Square was amazing. I also visited the Kremlin and St. Basil's
Cathedral. I went to a marketplace and bought Russian goods. The Metro
(transportation) system was efficient, fairly well-kept, and each station
showcased a different art form, such as mosaics, stained-glass and
wrought-iron. 

The stations were deep underground. On the way down to the station we
would pass through large metal blast doors. During the Cold War the
Metro was to serve as a shelter to protect the Russians from American
nuclear weapons. It was very sobering. 

Not speaking or reading the language was difficult and awkward. In
Europe many people speak English, but not in Russia. I had been to
Europe before but the trip to Russia was similar and different at the same
time. Before going to Russia all I had were preconceived notions of
Russian life based upon Cold War propaganda. It was interesting to be
there and see the real Russia. While sightseeing one day I came across a
large pro-Communist rally, with many Soviet flags and people speaking.
This reinforced how difficult and uncertain the changes have been in
Russia. 

It was difficult to find places to eat because we were unsure of the foods
that were served. We went to a Mexican restaurant run by Latin
Americans who were taking advantage of the "new" Russia. At first I
could not understand the waiter, but I overheard him speaking Spanish
with a coworker. I asked him to continue to speak in Spanish so I could
communicate with him. It was a strange way to overcome the language
barrier. But it was just interesting to see so many different people going to
Russia to take advantage of the new system. 

INTERVIEW WITH JOHN BLAHA

On October 24, John Blaha fielded news media questions about
the NASA 3/Mir 22 mission.

QUESTION:
How has the mission measured up so far? How productive do you feel,
and how have you acclimated physically and psychologically to this point?

It's beyond my expectations. I'd heard a lot about the Mir, I'd
heard a lot of talk during meetings about the space station.
This is an incredible space station. I am very impressed with
it, I'm very impressed with Valery and Sasha, the work they
do here. I wish I could keep up with them. The view out of
the space station is incredible. The longer I am here the more
I'm able to observe both on the experiments and in looking at
the Earth, the stars, and the planets. 

I never knew before that you need to be in orbit for a longer
time to really become more effective. When the Russian
cosmonauts told me that a couple of years ago, I thought they
were just saying that, but I'm very impressed. It's beyond my
expectations, and I'm having a great time here. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
What has surprised you most so far, what do you miss the most,
and do you miss having gravity? 

What has surprised me the most is how fantastic this space
station is. Space station Mir is an incredible laboratory and
workshop. You can observe astronomy with it, you can
observe the Earth, you can observe the environment, you can
conduct experiments. It has a tremendous amount of volume
with all the modules, a lot of privacy. It's just an incredible
space station. I'm very impressed with it, and I'm very
impressed with Valery and Sasha; they're incredible
cosmonauts. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
In light of the recent discovery of possible life on Mars,
what do you think about when you look out the window at
the stars and planets? 

Once a day I take some time to go on a dark pass to look at
the planets. I've seen Mars, Saturn, the moons of Jupiter,
Jupiter, and Venus, and every time I look at Mars I say 'we
ought to go, we ought to go.' Without a doubt, that kind of
program is good for mankind, good for all the countries on
the Earth to work together. I think we ought to go - I wish we
were on our way right now, but I guess that will have to be
younger people in the future. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
Are you able to vote in the upcoming elections? What is your
message to the public in the upcoming elections? 

I don't think I'll be able to vote, but I think two things. I think
President Clinton has done a great job in the last four years.
I'll be very honest, I didn't vote for him four years ago, but I
think he's done a great job and I'm all for him. I also think
Bob Dole did a great job in the U.S. Senate, so both men are
doing very well. I hope we'll keep the spirit of everybody
together and work to try to improve America and not worry
about the politics of Republican and Democratic parties so
much. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
Is NASA working on letting you vote? What kind of U.S. news are
you getting? Are you getting World Series updates? 

I'm getting all sorts of updates on the World Series. The box
scores of the ballgames, about 48 hours after the games. Steve
Vanhorn in Houston puts those together for me and I love
looking at them. I get updates on the ballgames from ham
radio operators all over the world as soon as the games are
over, as well as the opinion of my son Steven, who lets me
know what he thinks. I'm really excited because the Yankees
are doing better than I thought against the Braves' great
pitching staff.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
Do you have a sense of time in space? Do you feel like you've been
in space a month? Can you look ahead to the day when you might
look forward to coming home? 

I can't believe how the time has flown here, and I'm starting
to worry that it's flying too fast. Every now and then I think,
"Golly, January will be here in a couple of days." I'm
worried about that because I really enjoy it here. I enjoy the
work and I enjoy watching and learning how to work on a
space station from these two great cosmonauts. 

I do miss my wife and family, and I only wish I could beam
them up here and show them some of the fantastic views of
the cosmos and of the planet. Yesterday I had an incredible
view late in our time, midnight, but about 3 pm Houston time.
I had a pass where we came over Los Angeles, and I could see
L.A., San Diego and Edwards Air Force Base, and they
looked like they were right next to each other. About a
minute later I saw Las Vegas and could see Lake Mead and
the Grand Canyon. It was absolutely beautiful because there
weren't any clouds. Then I could see Denver and Salt Lake
City. All that happened in the space of about three minutes, so
this space station is really trucking along. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
How do the three of you spend your nonworking hours?
What kinds of things do you do to relax? 

We work about a 16-hour day, Sasha and Valery for certain.
I'm a little older, so after about 14 hours I need to settle down
a little bit and look at the stars or the Earth. I watch movies,
and both Valery and Sasha join me every now and then and
look at them. Last night we were looking at 'Texas,' and they
were both interested in the history of Texas. 

The best time we can communicate is when we're eating
around the table, either breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and we
usually knock off for about an hour and do that each day for
those three meals. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
What touches of home do you have on Mir?
Do you have any traditions there? 

I don't think so. I've joined the regime of Valery and Sasha,
probably the regime Shannon was living with them. I haven't
really done anything to change it other than bring the movies
along - Shannon didn't have the movies. I guess my one
change was bringing the movies. I thank the people in
Houston who put that great system together for me that's
allowed me to settle down in the evening. As a result, I get a
fantastic night's sleep and I eat real well and enjoy the
exercise. The movies have been helpful; they're like medicine
to me. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
How is the wheat experiment growing? Does it help you psychologically
to have something living growing aboard Mir with you? 

No it doesn't help me psychologically, but it is a fantastic
experiment. It's going very well - there are so many seeds I
can't believe it. In fact, I think it's progressed well beyond
what I thought on the ground it was going to do. Some
fantastic scientists in Moscow at their biological institute as
well as people at our Ames Research Center have been
working on it. Sasha really knows about that part of the
mission. The bottom line is that we're harvesting it, collecting
samples to bring back to the planet so they can analyze it. The
greenhouse experiment is going very well growing that
wheat. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
How long does it take to get from Mir to the ground,
and how does it feel to ride on the Soyuz? 

(Valery Korzun responds) In case of emergency, we can
return to Earth in two hours. Our return takes quite a bit of
time for closing the locks, and then we can be back on the
ground in six to eight hours, normally. We say goodbye to the
new crew, close the locks and make sure there are no leaks.
Then we undock from the station and we are in autonomous
flight. In the next three hours we descend to Earth, where we
are met by experts and doctors, and after that we go home. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
To Valery Korzun: How well is John Blaha performing? 

He is an excellent person, a good specialist, an outstanding
astronaut, a wonderful investigator, so we have no problems
with our crew, neither with the Russian or American sides. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
What is the most difficult part of what you're experiencing now?
What can we just not get about being there? 

Two things: from a human viewpoint, the incredible view of
our planet, where our planet is in the universe, and the fact
that our planet is one of the most beautiful places in the
universe. That's one thing that you just can't get on the Earth,
even looking at IMAX movies, as you can get from here. 

From a scientific viewpoint, when you see crystals growing
here in microgravity, it's just incredible. I think it's a shame
we can't beam up lots of smart people who understand
physics, chemistry, fluid dynamics so they can rapidly expand
their knowledge of those particular physical and chemical
processes. Of course that's what all the science research is
about on material science. As they do that on the planet and as
they expand their knowledge, they produce better products
for people all over the world and improve the productivity of
food production, improve how we study the environment.
When you're here, you can see it, and seeing the detail of it is
incredible and you can't see it on the planet. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
You're not going to vote? 

I don't know of a way. If somebody would let my wife vote
for me, and I would give her the authority to do that, that's
how I could get my vote in. I think that's the simplest way to
do that, so if someone could arrange it, we could do it. If we
can't arrange it, I guess that's just the way that would turn
out.  Either man, Bill Clinton or Bob Dole, would be a great
result, so whether I get to vote or not isn't really that
important. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

QUESTION:
Is there anything you forgot to pack, or wish you had? 

The one thing I wish I had is my wife Brenda. I miss her. We
have a very good relationship. I miss talking with her and
seeing her. Of course pictures help a little bit, and every once
in awhile I have conversations with her and that's very good.
That's the Number One thing I miss here on the Mir space
station. Other than that I don't miss a thing. I wish she were
here with me. If she were here with me I'd stay here for four
or five years. 

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