September 15
The Magellan spacecraft began bouncing radar off Venus when received computerized commands radioed 154.9 million miles from Earth. (Johnson Space Center, Space News Roundup, September 21, 1990)
September 17
NASA released Magellan's latest pictures of Venus showing valleys that resembled the animated character Gumby and a meteorite crater that scientists said was unlike any seen in the solar system. (Johnson Space Center, Space News Roundup, September 21, 1990)
September 17
A build-up of hydrogen in the engine compartment caused NASA to cancel a fourth attempt to launch the Space Shuttle Columbia. ("NASA Cancels Fourth Try at Shuttle Launch," Birmingham Post-Herald, September 18, 1990)
September 18
MSFC Director Jack Lee presented an award to the Boeing Company for its role in the development, production, and operation of the inertial Upper Stage (IUS) booster rocket. The Paris-based Federation Aeronautique Internationale selected Boeing's IUS team to receive its Honorary Group diploma. The award presentation was made at Seattle's Museum of Flight. ("Boeing Honored for its 'Space Truck,' The Huntsville Times, September 20, 1990)
September 19
The Aeroassist Flight Experiment (AFE) critical design review met at the Marshall Center. Representatives from the Marshall Center, Johnson Space Center, Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center, and Kennedy Space Center participated as board members. The review marked the start of transition from in-house MSFC design to McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company's. (See MSFC History Office Microfiche #2127, "Notable MSFC Events During 1990," September 24, 1990)
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