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Author
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Topic: "Sneaking" messages during missions
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stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 08-18-2009 10:45 AM
   
In another forum people have written that in the current TV show "Defying Gravity", the astronauts referred to an "H2IK sequence", which was their way of saying "Hell if I know" to those in the know, while casual listeners would think it was a technical term. This got me thinking: how did Mission Control and the astronauts send information to each other (alerts or developments) which they didn't want all the journalists and other people listening in to understand? I can think of two examples: during Apollo 8, the astronauts informed Mission Control of Borman's illness using a tape of usually dry technical information that apparently wasn't available to public ears. And during one of the Apollo EVAs (can't remember which), a pre-arranged phrase was used to tell an astronaut that his pulse rate had gotten too high and he needed to rest. Can anyone think of any other examples from the past... and does anyone know of how such a thing would be done today? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-18-2009 10:57 AM
Astronauts aboard the space station and space shuttle can send e-mails, though there is a time delay as they are downlinked (and uplinked) in batches.If something more immediate is needed, there are encrypted audio and video channels that the public cannot intercept. These are most often used for private medical conferences. Also, on ISS there is an IP phone, through which the crew can call whomever they please without the ability of others to listen in. |
Max Q
Member Posts: 399
From: Whyalla South Australia
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 08-18-2009 10:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Also, on ISS there is an IP phone, through which the crew can call whomever they please without the ability of others to listen in.
Am I reading this correctly: they can actually phone home from the ISS? If so, that is real cool.
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randyc
Member Posts: 779
From: Chandler, AZ USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 08-18-2009 10:36 PM
On Apollo 13 the crew asked Mission Control "are the flowers blooming in Houston" as a way of asking if Ken Mattingly had the measles. And on Apollo 16 Charlie Duke asked how one of his stocks, Consolidated Jackpine, was doing. Only thing is, there was no Consolidated Jackpine. He did that to play a joke on the media because he knew they would spin their wheels trying to find out what this company did and why Charlie Duke would want to own it. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-18-2009 10:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Max Q:
Am I reading this correctly: they can actually phone home from the ISS?
Yes, they can. A few friends (including at least one cS reader) have received calls from ISS crew members. One was away from his desk when the astronaut called, so the crew member left a voice mail message... |
Max Q
Member Posts: 399
From: Whyalla South Australia
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 08-18-2009 11:02 PM
Now that is cool... |
AstroAutos
Member Posts: 803
From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 08-22-2009 05:44 AM
In Gene Kranz's autobiography, he talks about how during the Gemini 7 mission (Borman and Lovell) when the flight controllers wanted privacy in certain communications involving things like mission risk discussions or direct conversations between flight surgeons and crew members they developed a code word. If the MCC or the crew wanted a private conference, either side could request a "UHF-6" test, which they gradually wove into the daily flight-plan, hoping that the media would pay little attention to the "test."But the jig was up when a reporter finally asked at a press conference, "Is UHF-6 a code name for a private medical conference?", to which Kranz replied "Yes." With his response the press corps applauded, which I think is hilarious!  |
jasonelam
Member Posts: 691
From: Monticello, KY USA
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 08-22-2009 12:39 PM
Another from Apollo 8 that I remember was "the custards in the oven at 350", communicated to Frank Borman via the CAPCOM from his wife. |
Lou Chinal
Member Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 08-23-2009 07:40 AM
During geology field trips the term 'FLR' came into use. It was code for funny looking rock. |
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