Message #53632 From SPARKS, 3-18-87, 21:13

The following information is culled from "Advanced Military Computing"

Ames Research center in Mountain View ("The Blue Cube") is the worlds most powerful center for computational research in fluid dynamics. A major project at Ames is modelling on a Cray 2 for the National Aerospace Plane. They aim (mild pun) to develop the technology necessary for a vehicle to operate from conventional airports, capable of mach 25 speed and of reaching low earth orbit.

The director of the center says that this modelling will require " all the computational resources the country has...". The center now uses 3 Cray supercomputers and plans to retire the oldest of these ( not a Cray, as I recall) when new hardware is purchased this year.

Sounds to me like NASA is bent on repeating past mistakes and has no intention of investigating cost-effective practical methods of orbital delivery. Maybe the startling recent progress in superconductor research will make some waves here, but I woudn't bet on it.

1. Don't confuse Ames Research Center with the Blue Cube!
2. Don't confuse the Blue Cube with The Brass Rail.
3. Don't confuse The Brass Rail with the Iron Rail.
4. Don't confuse the Iron Rail with the Iron Lung