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tw · 03-23-2004, 07:19 PM

Universe expansion is accelerating - a mystery discovered by Hubble. One suggested reason was dark matter. Currently, not enough matter (Hubble number) has been found to account for the big bang. Science speculates that 'dark matter' must exist.

Also to confuse quantum mechanics theories is a shortage of anti-matter. In theory, matter and anti-matter should be in equal quantities.

Noble prize winner Samuel Ting of MIT leads a 16 nation space mission to find these answers. The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) is a multi-purpose particle detector to perform three experiments including a search for dark matter and to locate the missing anti-matter. Previous attempts using high altitude ballons discovered nothing. The detector must get outside earth's atmosphere.

Normally AMS would be launched into high orbit by expendable rocket. But ISS was so desperate for any real science (previous NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin had to justify ISS existence). A free shuttle launch without the usual NASA restrictions was offered. Entire AMS program will cost $840million. AMS would still be exposed to earth's atmosphere in low earth orbit (LEO). But free launch and eliminated attitude control would make the bird both simpler and less expensive. Also the bird could be recovered three years later so that data can be 'tweeked' by recalibrating an aged space vehicle.

Expected launch data was 2007. That was until George Jr annouced his 'man to Mars' mission. AMS may be bumped this summer when NASA reevaluates all science not directly traceable to a manned Mars mission. Just more good and essential science being undermined for the glory of George Jr's wish to become another Kennedy - without first learning facts. "We're going through a rethinking process," says Bernard Seery of NASA's biological and physical sciences office.

If AMS does get bumped, then the bird will require massive changes to fly freely; including hardening of its structure, enlarged power systems, and a flight control system. Messy job after the bird has been designed and is being constructed. But then George Jr better understands what science needs do. Politics being more important.

03-23-2004, 07:19 PM	#3
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	Universe expansion is accelerating - a mystery discovered by Hubble. One suggested reason was dark matter. Currently, not enough matter (Hubble number) has been found to account for the big bang. Science speculates that 'dark matter' must exist. Also to confuse quantum mechanics theories is a shortage of anti-matter. In theory, matter and anti-matter should be in equal quantities. Noble prize winner Samuel Ting of MIT leads a 16 nation space mission to find these answers. The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) is a multi-purpose particle detector to perform three experiments including a search for dark matter and to locate the missing anti-matter. Previous attempts using high altitude ballons discovered nothing. The detector must get outside earth's atmosphere. Normally AMS would be launched into high orbit by expendable rocket. But ISS was so desperate for any real science (previous NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin had to justify ISS existence). A free shuttle launch without the usual NASA restrictions was offered. Entire AMS program will cost $840million. AMS would still be exposed to earth's atmosphere in low earth orbit (LEO). But free launch and eliminated attitude control would make the bird both simpler and less expensive. Also the bird could be recovered three years later so that data can be 'tweeked' by recalibrating an aged space vehicle. Expected launch data was 2007. That was until George Jr annouced his 'man to Mars' mission. AMS may be bumped this summer when NASA reevaluates all science not directly traceable to a manned Mars mission. Just more good and essential science being undermined for the glory of George Jr's wish to become another Kennedy - without first learning facts. "We're going through a rethinking process," says Bernard Seery of NASA's biological and physical sciences office. If AMS does get bumped, then the bird will require massive changes to fly freely; including hardening of its structure, enlarged power systems, and a flight control system. Messy job after the bird has been designed and is being constructed. But then George Jr better understands what science needs do. Politics being more important.