🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <ewright.726168030@convex.convex.com> ewright@convex.com (Edward V. Wright) writes:
>In <1993Jan4.015312.6224@cerberus.ulaval.ca> I wrote:
>
>>If I build a custom laser in my lab, and then operate it purely 
>>as a tool to support my research program, I think I am still doing 
>>research.  Likewise, when NASA is using the shuttle to fly Spacelab, 
>>TSS, Hubble, etc, it's doing research.  
>
>If you pay Air France to fly your laser to the research site,
>does that mean the Airbus is a research vehicle?

No, it's an aircraft _I_ am using to support my research activities.

>>Even a TDRS launch is part of the research effort, since the
>>constellation is used to support various birds doing research
>>missions.  
>
>If you call someone in New York to discuss your research, the
>call goes via Intelsat or undersea cable.  Does that make the
>Intelsat or the cable a research venture?

Ditto, mutatis mutandis.  Likewise, when NASA flies Spacelab, TSS or a
TDRS on the shuttle, the latter is used to support NASA's research
activities, pursuant to its charter.  It is my understanding that this
thread originated when someone claimed that NASA was not respecting its
charter by operating the shuttle, which is admittedly not an
experimental craft anymore.  I disagree, as long as the shuttle
manifest contains only genuine R&D.



-- 
Francois Yergeau (yergeau@phy.ulaval.ca) |  De gustibus et coloribus
Centre d'Optique, Photonique et Laser    |  non disputandum
Departement de Physique                  |          -proverbe scolastique
Universite Laval, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada    |