Word: orbited
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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WHEN SKYLAB'S orbit began to degenerate, everyone knew there could be only one outcome. As the satellite plunged closer and closer to Earth, it had to plow through denser and denser layers of the atmosphere; increasing drag reduced its velocity and increased the rate of its fall. Finally, too much of its momentum had been destroyed. The situation, literally, disintegrated...
Madelon Fuller's childhood memories of Waxahachie, Texas (pop. 18,560), include chasing fireflies, catching crawdads and eating plenty of fried okra, gravy-soaked chicken-fried steak and eggs. Not surprisingly, Fuller's cholesterol level went into orbit -- 324 mg per 100 ml of blood, in contrast to an optimal level of 200 mg -- and by age 44 she had had triple-bypass surgery. She went on a restrictive diet, and her cholesterol level plunged. But her arteries were still choking. Early this year her doctor suggested adding an experimental drug called lovastatin to her regimen. Within four months...
NASA will study the bids for months before winners are announced, probably in November. The space station, which will require some 30 shuttle flights to haul its pieces into orbit, is scheduled to be completed in the mid-1990s...
...solar system unique in the universe? This question has long driven astronomers to search for planets beyond our sun's. Last week three Canadian astronomers presented the first hard evidence that at least one planet, probably larger than Jupiter, may orbit around Epsilon Eridani, a nearby star favored by planet hunters...
Energia's debut may push the balance of space power decisively into Soviet hands. With it, Moscow can easily launch its own shuttle. The Soviets can send up large modules to Mir to convert it into a full-fledged research and manufacturing station or send them into orbit to be assembled as a manned interplanetary ship. And they now have the muscle to do what the Pentagon cannot for the foreseeable future: orbit antisatellite and antimissile laser and particle-beam weapons for Star Wars-like battle stations in outer space...