🚀 go-pugleaf

>In <1993Jan4.015312.6224@cerberus.ulaval.ca> yergeau@phy.ulaval.ca (Francois Y
e
>rgeau) writes:
>
>>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?

   Sure. If you use the laser while aboard the Airbus. Their is
   a distinction here. There are plenty of research ships at
   sea, does this mean unless the ship tries out a hydrofoil
   design or something it is not doing research? Jacques Cousteau
   and the crew of the Calypso may disagree.
   
   Now, the Shuttle itself is not the subject of the research, but
   it is the only current transportation available for this
   research. You can go buy Soyuz (and hope Yeltsin remains in
   power) or wait a few years for DC-1, but until you do, the
   Shuttle is still at least partially a research vehicle.  
   
>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?

   Agreed. TDRS is not a research project and would be better lofted
   by Titan III or IV (which is planned for TDRS-G).

   -Brian

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Brian S. Thorn                                    "If ignorance is bliss,
BrianT@cup.portal.com                               this must be heaven."
                                                -Diane Chambers, "Cheers"
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