WIRE Update from Astronomy Now

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The Astronomy Now web site has an update on efforts to save the WIRE, from the
GSFC.  For those who may have observed WIRE (or may be trying to), the release
noted that:

     The spacecraft continues to spin, but the rate of spin has 
     stabilized at about 60 revolutions per minute. Last night, 
     controllers sent commands to the spacecraft to see if the 
     telescope could be gently moved in order to reduce solar input. 
     However, imparting even the extremely light magnetic countering 
     force on the rotating spacecraft caused the spacecraft's solar 
     arrays to begin oscillating and the maneuver was stopped. 

To view the entire article (which also has a diagram of the satellite, plus
links of interest), see:

Ground controllers continue efforts to establish control of WIRE
http://www.astronomynow.com/breaking/990306wire/index.html

Jim Cook
Germantown, MD
39.2N, 77.3W

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