Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ncrlnk!ncrcae!ece-csc!ncsuvx!gatech!ukma!rutgers!cmcl2!phri!cooper!dasys1!tneff
From: tneff@dasys1.UUCP (Tom Neff)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Space Shuttle communications on shortwave
Message-ID: <6607@dasys1.UUCP>
Date: 23 Sep 88 15:38:41 GMT
References: <1255@ncspm.ncsu.edu> <6376@dasys1.UUCP> <615@cmx.npac.syr.edu>
Reply-To: tneff@dasys1.UUCP (Tom Neff)
Distribution: na
Organization: Independent Users Guild
Lines: 27

In article <615@cmx.npac.syr.edu> anand@nic.nyser.net (Anand Rangachari) writes:
>In article <6376@dasys1.UUCP> tneff@dasys1.UUCP (Tom Neff) writes:
>>I wonder if you noticed that item in the STS-26 Release about the
>>infrared intercom system they're going to try out.  It would replace
>>the RF cabin loop they currently use.  The whole point: providing
>>a "secure" communications environment inside the orbiter (RF leaks
>>but IR won't).  ...
>
>   I doubt however that the new system was developed to secure the shuttle.
>They probably did not want too many stray RF sources around those comm
>sats.

Rick Hauck or Pinky Nelson was just quoted either in this newsgroup or
in one of the space mags (I forget which right now, I read so darn much!)
confirming my suggested rationale for the IR cabin loop.  They want to
keep DOD missions secure.







-- 
Tom Neff			UUCP: ...!cmcl2!phri!dasys1!tneff
	"None of your toys	CIS: 76556,2536	       MCI: TNEFF
	 will function..."	GEnie: TOMNEFF	       BIX: t.neff (no kidding)