🚀 go-pugleaf

	* All details from Boulder Daily Camera, 5/6/88;  information used
	  and quoted without permission *

	FACTS:

	In todays Boulder Daily Camera (5/6) there is an article about
a Boulder company that stands to benefit by a new amendment passed by the
space sub-committee (Congress).  The company is ETCO (External Tanks Corp.) of
Boulder.  ETCO was created by UCAR (Univ. Corp. for Atmospheric Research, also
of Boulder) to study and design ways of using the ET in orbit.  ETCO is/was
founded as a co-op between gov't and the private sector; uses of the tanks
are to be investor financed (yea!).  Final bit of factual info:  the bill
to authorize NASA to make use of the ET was introduced by Rep. David Skaggs
D-Colo.  

	ME:
	
	Funny that a Boulder company could stand to benefit from this bill, 
huh?  In any event, the bill is a good idea, no matter who is the *financial*
winner.  I know that uses of the ET has come up before in this group, but it
might be a good time to discuss it again - since it just really might happen.
To start the ball rolling, here are a few (well, 5) questions I have:

	1.  Does anyone in the know (Greg Woods at NCAR, others) know if the
	    previous net discussion, amongst others I presume, influenced
	    our Congress-critters/NASA to make use of the ET?  Did it help?
	2.  The Camera article mentioned 20 to 30 experiments have been 
	    proposed to UCAR.  Care to give us any details, anyone?
	3.  Timeframe, if Congress/NASA is timely about adoption of the plan?
	4.  Does anyone have a summary of previous net proposals?
	5.  What about integration with the space station/ISF plans?

	Speaking for myself only...if anyone else has a better summary of 
the amendment, speak up!

			-Tim
[[I would disclaim this, but unfortunately I had to sign a 
  non-disclaimer agreement]] 
Tim Beres   Cadnetix, 5775 Flatirons Pkwy, Boulder, CO 80301  
            beres@cadnetix.com  {uunet,boulder,nbires}!cadnetix!beres