Friday, 25 January 1991 Washington, DC
1. APS COUNCIL APPROVES STATEMENT ON PHYSICS FUNDING AND THE
SSC.
Perhaps it is a measure of the depth of the funding crisis: for
the first time in the 92-year history of the American Physical
Society, the governing body of the Society overwhelmingly adopted
a public position on funding priorities. Top priority is given
to support of individual investigators and "broadly based physics
research." The statement endorses construction of the Supercon-
ducting Super Collider in a "timely fashion," but says that it
"must not be at the expense of the broadly based research program
of the United States." The action was initiated by the Physics
Planning Committee and endorsed by the Panel on Public Affairs.
2. SCIENTIFIC JUSTIFICATION IS LACKING FOR A MANNED SPACE
STATION
in earth orbit, according to another statement
adopted by the APS Council. Expressing concern that the
potential contributions to the physical sciences have been
greatly overstated, the Council concluded that: "The United
States needs a vigorous space science program, but such a program
can be implemented for the forseeable future without the proposed
manned space station. " Meanwhile NASA reportedly wants an
extension of the 90-day period Congress gave them to "descope"
the space station design (WN 19
Oct 90).
3. FALLOUT FROM STANFORD'S OVERHEAD BOMB THREATENS OTHER
SCHOOLS.
A projected increase in the overhead charged on research grants
triggered a faculty revolt at Stanford last year (WN 16 Feb 90). Other schools
are now feeling the heat. Disclosures that research funds had
paid for such things as refurbishing a grand piano and
depreciation on a 72-foot yacht embarrassed Stanford, which had
the highest indirect cost rate in the nation, and renewed calls
for uniform rates. Rates currently vary from a low of about 37%
to Stanford's 78%. With money tight, the federal government is
considering a cap on overhead--and it won't be 78%. Congress has
already ordered the Department of Agriculture to limit indirect
costs to 14%. University administrators are terrified that the
idea will spread; desperate researchers may see it differently.
4. NASA MAY HAVE TO TURN TO THE SOVIET UNION FOR PLUTONIUM-
238.
The radioactive thermoelectric generators (RTGs) that provide the
electric power for US deep space probes use the decay of Pu-238,
a non-fissile isotope that decays by alpha emission with a 90-
year half-life. Pioneer 11, now at the edge of the solar system,
is still operating on a Pu-238 RTG after 17 years, and Galileo is
powered by a 100-watt RTG on its roundabout trip to Jupiter. But
there is not enough Pu-238 on hand to fuel the CRAF and Cassini
missions in 1995 and 1996--and the Savannah River reactors where
Pu-238 was produced are shut down> It takes about 300g of Pu-238
to produce one watt of electrical power. The Soviets, who would
sell the family jewels these days, are offering to supply NASA's
needs if the purity is adequate. In fact, SDI just purchased a
Soviet Topaz-2 space reactor, which produces 6 kw thermionically.
|
