News

1 April 2001
NASA Names New Shuttle Crew

NASA Names Shuttle Crew for STS-AO-40
Front Row L-R Pilot Bill Bergs KC9UC, Mission Specialist Dean Andrewjeski K9PT, Mission Commander Rich Maier KC9NW
Back Row Mission Specialist Scott Tatro N9NQQ, Mission Specialist Paul Nelles K9DB


Five members of the Rib Mountain Repeater Association at Wausau have been chosen by NASA to fly the next shuttle mission. Mission STS-AO-40 is a repair project to the ailing AMSAT OSCAR-40 Phase IIID satellite. The launch is scheduled for April 31st. The satellite has been having communications and orientation problems since its launch in September 2000.

Mission Commander will be RMRA President Rich Maier KC9NW. Shuttle Pilot will be Bill Bergs KC9UC. Dean Andrewjeski K9PT will be operating the shuttle's remote manipulator arm while Mission Specialists Scott Tatro N9NQQ and Paul Nelles K9DB will conduct two planned spacewalks to repair the satellite.

When asked about crew selection, NASA head Dan Goldin said, "At first we were a bit leery about assigning a completely inexperienced crew, especially since they don't even work for us. We weighed the benefits of fixing OSCAR against the risks of losing a multi-billion dollar spacecraft. Then we thought,'What the hell. It's only money. We've got three more!'".

Much concern has been raised over the $350 million cost of a mission to save a $2 million volunteer built satellite. Goldin has a one word reply: "Image".

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