UFO Potpourri No 356

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue: no. 356
Date: Wednesday, August 7, 1991
Publisher: PRESS-TELEGRAM
Country: USA

This issue of UFO POTPOURRI features a prominent headline about a mysterious object observed near the space shuttle Atlantis, which NASA identified as ice. It also covers astronaut observations of Earth, experiments related to weightlessness, and historical UFO sightings.

Mysterious 'Flying Bumper' Keeps the Shuttle Company

This article, by Knight-Ridder Newspapers, details the sighting of an unusual object near the space shuttle Atlantis. NASA engineers identified the five-foot-long, curved object, described as resembling a car bumper, as a chunk of ice that likely detached from the shuttle's engine nozzle after the deployment of a communications satellite. The object was captured on videotape by the Atlantis crew. The article notes that this was not the first such sighting, referencing similar incidents involving John Glenn in 1962 who saw 'fireflies' (later identified as ice) and Robert Michael White in 1962 who observed a large sheet of paper-like material (also identified as ice) near the X-15 space plane. Another similar incident occurred in October 1990 when the Discovery shuttle launched the Ulysses solar probe. James Hartsfield, a spokesman for NASA's Johnson Space Center, stated that while they were sure the object was 'ours,' they intended to investigate the shuttle's cargo bay upon its return. NASA officials were comparing tapes of earlier sightings to the current one.

Atlantis Crew Prepares for Sunday Touchdown

By MARK CARREAU, Houston Chronicle

The Atlantis astronauts were preparing for their return to Earth on Sunday, August 11, 1991. The five-member crew spent their time conducting medical research and testing equipment for the space station Freedom. They also observed a lightning display over Central America. Mission commander John Blaha was scheduled to pilot the shuttle to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a contingency landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California if weather conditions were unfavorable. The mission, which began on August 2, involved the successful deployment of a $125 million communications satellite. During their mission, the crew focused on scientific experiments. Blaha engaged with youngsters via a demonstration on weightlessness, using marshmallows and M&Ms to show how objects mix randomly in zero gravity, unlike their behavior under Earth's gravity. He expressed a wish for future generations to have exciting careers in space exploration.

'Earth Looks Hazy,' Astronauts Observe

By MARK CARREAU, Houston Chronicle

Astronauts aboard the Atlantis reported that Earth appeared unusually hazy from space. Shannon Lucid, who had previously flown missions in 1989 and 1985, commented on the difference in visibility. Mission commander John Blaha and astronaut James Adamson agreed, suggesting that recent volcanic activity, specifically the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in June, or the Kuwaiti oil fires might be contributing factors. Blaha described seeing black smoke pouring from Kuwait into Saudi Arabia, calling it a 'sad sight.' The astronauts also completed an experiment measuring ozone concentrations in the atmosphere, a topic linked to rising pollution levels and increased risk of skin cancer due to higher ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth's surface.

Astronauts' Device Defies Weightlessness

From Times Wire Services

This article details a medical experiment conducted on the Atlantis mission to help astronauts adjust to Earth's gravity after space flight. Two astronauts, G. David Low (Mission Specialist) and Michael Baker (Shuttle Pilot), sealed themselves in a waist-high vacuum container. This device created negative pressure, forcing blood from their upper bodies to their legs, simulating the effects of gravity. Shannon Lucid, a biochemist, recorded echocardiograph images of Low's heart during the procedure. Scientists believe this method, along with increased fluid consumption, can improve readjustment to gravity and mitigate the fainting astronauts often experience upon returning to Earth. Michael Baker described the container as a 'big can' with a seal and a hose connected to the orbiter to pull the vacuum, noting that while 'not comfortable,' it was effective.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO POTPOURRI revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, space exploration, and the scientific endeavors of NASA astronauts. The magazine appears to maintain an interest in UFO sightings, presenting them alongside factual reporting on space missions and scientific experiments. The editorial stance seems to be one of reporting on these phenomena, acknowledging public interest while also presenting official explanations from NASA, such as the identification of the 'flying bumper' as ice. There is a clear effort to balance the more speculative aspects of UFOs with the concrete realities of spaceflight.