Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles; site hpfcla.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!oliveb!hplabs!hpfcdc!hpfcla!ajs From: ajs@hpfcla.UUCP Newsgroups: net.space Subject: Re: Voyager at Uranus Message-ID: <22000009@hpfcla.UUCP> Date: Sun, 27-Oct-85 19:11:00 EST Article-I.D.: hpfcla.22000009 Posted: Sun Oct 27 19:11:00 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 13-Nov-85 08:20:48 EST References: <170@bambi.UUCP> Organization: 27 Oct 85 17:11:00 MST Lines: 15 >> 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