OUR PREVIOUS MEETING 26 Aug, 2002 _________________________________

Topic: Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle - Suzan Turner, Marshal Space Flight Center
NASA's Space Launch Initiative (SLI ) is the centerpiece of NASA's long-range Integrated Space Transportation Plan. It is synonymous with the Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Program. The program seeks to develop a new generation of safer, more reliable and less expensive launch vehicles for both government and commercial needs. Its goals are to reduce the risk of crew loss and lower the cost of delivering payloads to low-Earth orbit. NASA expects to enable full-scale development of the Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle around the middle of this decade, although this target may be allowed to slip to give the airforce time to figure out military needs. A new system could be operational early next decade, if current plans are not altered. NASA says that ultimately, the program will [at last] focus resources on its core missions of scientific discovery and exploration. Suzan noted that US market share of space launch businesses has dropped to 30% from 60% due to high cost and low reliability. China has made increased control of space by Chinese industrial/military conglomerates a high priority in trade talks with the US.

Suzan Turner of the Marshal Space Flight Center explained NASA's Space Launch Initiative in more detail and showed two illustrative video presentations. Marshall engineers are designing and developing enhancements and upgrades to the Shuttle to improve safety and increase performance and reliability. As NASA's center of excellence for space propulsion, Marshall employs some of the nation's finest and brightest engineers to support its renowned propulsion program. Economic impact studies have shown that for every dollar spent on NASA seven dollars are returned to the economy, unfortunately little public pressure is being focused on increased funding for NASA.

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS _____________________________________
September 9: Global Warming - How Real the Threat? - Dr. Marilyn Brown, ORNL
September 16: Operating a Manufacturing Plant in Chattanooga - How difficult has it become? Mark Collin, Magister Corp.
September 23: TVA's Reservoir Operations - Resolving Competing Interests - David Nye, TVA
September 29: Plant Tour of the Light Touch (Previously Olan Mills Digital Photography School Division)
October 7: An update on the TVA Regenesys Project - Ian Grant, TVA
October 14: No meeting in observance of Columbus Day
October 21: CSTCC Partnering with Industry for Success- Dr. James Catanzaro
October 28: UCT, an Engineering Program for The New Century- Dr. Phil Kazmerski
November 4: Urban Heat Retention-Cooling Our Cites Down - Dr. Dale Quattrlouci, Marshal Space Flight Center
November 11: Water, Water Everywhere? - A global look at a precious resource- Mike Sale, ORNL
November 25: Technology Transfer and Economic Development - A little help from Oak Ridge- Terry Payne

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________
Unless we note otherwise, all of our presentation meetings are held at the Cellar Restaurant in the Tallan Building, Union Square Downtown Chattanooga from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Our meeting room and luncheon service are open by 11:30 a.m. Lunch buffet is $10.00 per person (inclusive). No reservation is required. Free parking is available in the Days Inn Motel (on Carter St. and MLK Blvd,) courtesy of the Days Inn management. When you park there, be sure to place a note on your dashboard indicating you are attending the Engineers Club meeting.

QUESTIONS ? ___________________________________________
If you have any questions about program items please call Steve McGuire at 756- 4430 or e-mail him at stevemcguire@comcast.net. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.chattanooga.net/engineer/CEC .