CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB

www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org

 

NEXT Meeting (The Read House)_____________________________________________

 

Monday, August 9, 2004, noon, The Read House, Continental Room

 

Topic:  “Optical Sensors” - T.W. Cease, IEEE

 

What are optical current and voltage sensors and why would a utility use them?  T. W. Cease will give us a brief description and show some of the uses.  TVA first installed an optical current sensor in 1986 since then there have been great improvements and developments.  The first significant use has been in IPP installations.  Now there are new opportunities for the optical voltage sensor for phasor measurements.

 

Invocation/Pledge Chair for August:  Jack Anderson

Menu:  Chicken Penne Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce

 

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING________________________________________________

 

Topic:  “NASA's Vision for Space Exploration” - Roy Priest, Marshall Space Flight Center

 

A little over 100 years ago, the Wright Brothers figured out how to fly.  Now we have discovered how to go Mach 7.  The new X-43C Scramjet design, recently proven to go Mach 7, uses air that it can compress beginning at Mach 3 to leap to the higher speeds.  Why do we want to go faster and faster?  To reach and explore other planets and other galaxies in a single lifetime.  NASA just opened in July 2004, a new, world-class laboratory for research into future space transportation technologies.  The principal occupant is the Marshall Centers’ Propulsion Research Center - those on the cutting edge of new propulsion systems (http://www.spacetransportation.com). 

 

Mr. Priest reminded us of the vision of NASA and showed a video of our President’s proposed plan for future space exploration.  This video is available at http://history.nasa.gov/Bush%20SEP.htm.

Here are the highlights:

  1. Our first goal is to complete the International Space Station by 2010.  To meet this goal, we will return the Space Shuttle to flight as soon as possible.
  2. Our second goal is to develop and test a new spacecraft, the Crew Exploration Vehicle, by 2008, and to conduct the first manned mission no later than 2014. The Crew Exploration Vehicle will be capable of ferrying astronauts and scientists to the Space Station after the shuttle is retired.
  3. Our third goal is to return to the moon by 2020, as the launching point for missions beyond.

 

The launch of the Mercury-bound MESSENGER spacecraft was delayed this morning because of bad weather.  It has a 12-second window to get into an orbit of Mercury.  It will take 7 years for MESSENGER to travel 5 billion miles to Mercury.

 

Mr. Priest mentioned that the Battle Academy in Chattanooga has just been selected as an Explorer School.  Here is the web site describing this new partnership of NASA with schools and teachers to encourage students to consider a career that will help NASA achieve its vision:  http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/portal/site/nes

 

A picture was shown that was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope where it was pointing toward the darkest part of the universe.  The Hubble can see things that are 25 times dimmer in any other telescope.  It looked like a candy dish of lights and colors.  He said these were not just stars.  They are galaxies of stars.  So, there are many places to explore in space.

 

Thanks to Judy Driggans for the meeting summary.

 

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________

 

August 16:  “How NASA Hardware Operates in the Demanding Environments of the Space Shuttle and Space Station” - Tim Allen, Teledyne Brown Engineering (TBE)

 

August 23:  “TVA Activities as a Result of the Northeast Blackout” - Tim Ponseti, TVA

 

August 30:  Field Trip - Oak Ridge National Lab Summer Tour

 

TBD:  “Nuclear Proliferation and Security:  Keeping us safe at home and abroad” - ORNL

 

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________

 

We meet at The Read House, and lunch is $11.  Parking is free at the Days Inn across MLK Blvd. but you’ll need a note in your windshield that you’re with the Engineers’ Club.  Valet parking (by AAA, the manager of the Read House Hotel parking garage) is $3 for lunch events.  The Read House Hotel garage entrance is now on Broad Street.

 

QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________

 

If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please call Tiffany Gibby at 423-751-3168 or email her at tjgibby@tva.gov. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org.