----------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, Oct. 12, 1989 Audio: 202/755-1788 ----------------------------------------------------------------- This is NASA Headline News for Thursday, October 12th...... Shuttle engineers and technicians are working towards a launch of the space shuttle Atlantis and its cargo, the Galileo spacecraft, during a 24-minute window beginning at 12:57 P.M., Tuesday, October 17. After evaluating the work that will remain after replacing the number 2 main engine controller on the orbiter, officials estimate there is a 50-50 chance of completing the work in time to launch on Tuesday. Managers will make a final decision at about noon on Saturday whether a Tuesday launch is achievable or whether the launch will occur on Wednesday, October 18. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports a spokesman for the three groups who oppose the launch because of Galileo's plutonium power supply, said they would attempt to appeal U.S. District Court Judge Oliver Gasch's ruling that the launch may proceed. They said they will ask the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to overturn his decision. The paper reports that because appeals involving temporary restraining orders are not normally permitted, lawyers for the groups may first seek an injunction, which is appealable, from Judge Gasch...and then appeal his expected rejection. NASA has announced that beginning with next week's STS-34 mission, medical consultations between astronatus in space and nasa physicians on the ground will become a routine part of all space shuttle flights to help improve the understanding and provide timely treatment of initial space motion sickness symptoms. A private medical communication will be schedule between shuttle crew members and mission control center flight surgeons during the pre-sleep periods on the first 2-days of each flight. Additional consultations may be requested by either the crew or the flight surgeons. ************* ----------------------------------------------------------------- Here's the broadcast schedule for public affairs events on NASA Select television. All times are eastern. Sunday, Oct. 15..... Noon STS-34 crew arrival at KSC. All events and times are subject to change without notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------- These reports are filed daily, Monday through Friday, at 12 noon, Eastern time. ----------------------------------------------------------------- A service of the Internal Communications Branch (LPC), NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.