From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!karn Newsgroups: net.space Title: Re: SAA Article-I.D.: eagle.706 Posted: Wed Jan 5 02:57:19 1983 Received: Wed Jan 5 04:19:03 1983 References: watcgl.90 I also purchased a copy of "The Space Shuttle Operator's Manual". If you can tolerate the space cadet writing style, it actually does contain a remarkable amount of detail, for a readily available publication. The foldouts of control panels, orbital maps, etc, are particularly useful. There is another (better) publication that describes the shuttle in even more detail for the outsider: the Rockwell press kit, a thick (1.5") loose-leaf notebook. I do not know if further copies are available. I borrowed a copy dated February 1981, and was amazed at its depth, especially when you consider its intended audience... However, even it contains some flubs. They slavishly give virtually all measurements in as many systems of standards as there are, e.g, distances in statute miles, nautical miles and kilometers. In the section on thermal tiles, densities are in both kilograms per cubic meter and in pounds per cubic foot. However, a conversion factor of 2.2 was used for all the numbers! Gee, now I don't know whether the tiles just float on water, or if they're also supposed to float on air as well.... Phil Karn