Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site kovacs.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!qantel!hplabs!sdcrdcf!randvax!kovacs!rivero From: rivero@kovacs.UUCP (Michael Foster Rivero) Newsgroups: net.space Subject: Re: Voyager at Uranus Message-ID: <270@kovacs.UUCP> Date: Fri, 8-Nov-85 11:28:10 EST Article-I.D.: kovacs.270 Posted: Fri Nov 8 11:28:10 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 11-Nov-85 06:48:35 EST References: <170@bambi.UUCP> <22000009@hpfcla.UUCP> Reply-To: rivero@kovacs.UUCP (Michael Foster Rivero) Organization: Robt Abel & Assoc, Hollywood Lines: 35 In article <22000009@hpfcla.UUCP> ajs@hpfcla.UUCP writes: >>> I doubt it. When the Viking missions landed in '76, they sent home most >>> of the JPL employees (!) for half a day. >> >> What was the reason for sending home "most of the JPL employees"? > >All I remember is, we got some notice from our managers (dunno if it was >in writing), and I don't think we were paid for the time. My vague >memory is that it was paranoia about someone (anyone, even a JPL >employee) somehow wrecking the landing, or even just the receipt of the >data during the landing. Remember, JPL is in California, where it's >taken for granted that weirdos abound. The honchos probably worried >about some anti-science cult attempt to gain attention and/or prevent >"heresy". > >Alan Silverstein As a flight controller for the Viking Missions, I would like to clear the air a little. The employees who were sent home were not sent home because they were suspected wierdos! They were sent home to gaurentee a reduced load on all power / computer systems. Viking had already suffered bad press for missing the Bi- Centennial landing date on July Fourth, and JPL was taking no chances on the landing itself. Every piece of computer gear was on standby, and sending everyone home was deemed the best way to keep 'em off the time sharing systems. JPL people are NOT weird. Just delightfully eccentric! Michael Rivero First Order Viking Lander Image Processing