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ISRO To Launch 10 Satellites Together

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch ten satellites, including eight from abroad, which will be carried by PSLV-C9, on April 28 from Sriharikota.

The cluster of satellites being carried on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C9 will also include the advanced remote sensing satellite, Cartosat-2A, which will carry high resolution stereo cameras and scientific instruments and will have intelligence gathering functions.

This will mark the first time that ISRO will attempt a simultaneous launch of ten satellites, ISRO officials said.

The mission will also see the launch of eight micro-satellites. The 5-20 kg satellites have been provided by three European countries, as well as from Canada.

The satellites would be ejected into a 635 km orbit. Cartosat-2A, which is of one metre resolution, would be used for mapping purposes and management of natural resources.

The second Indian satellite of the cluster, weighing 85 kg, was an experimental remote sensing satellite. It would also be used as a platform for trying out advanced technology during the coming launches, the official said.

The launch is scheduled at 0920 hrs from ISRO’s launch port Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on 28 April. ISRO considers the launch very important as it was a major step forward in its commercial launch operations.

Technically also, it is an important mission, as satellites have to be put at the right time in precise orbit one by one.

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Posted in Innovative, Future, Sky, Research, Space, Science, Trends | 1 Comment »

US Navy Shoots Down The Crippled Spy Satellite Using Missile

The U.S. Navy successfully blasted a wayward satellite with a heat-seeking missile over the Pacific Ocean Wednesday evening, defense officials announced in a press release. A missile launched from a Navy ship struck a dying U.S. spy satellite passing 130 miles over the Pacific on Wednesday.

The satellite USA-193, also known as NROL-21, was launched into orbit Dec. 14, 2006. Shortly after it reached orbit, ground controllers lost contact with it. Though the satellite’s objective is secret, many figure it is a high-resolution radar satellite intended to produce images for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

The Pentagon submitted orders to shoot down the spacecraft because they said its fuel tank could survive atmospheric reentry and spew 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) of toxic hydrazine gas over an area about the size of two football fields. The initial view of missile strike indicates it probably did hit the spacecraft’s fuel tank, a defense official said, but whether or not the threat was completely eliminated is unknown at this time.

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Posted in Sky, Astronomy, Future, Research, Science, Space, Science Fiction, Trends | No Comments »

2009 Declared As Year Of Astronomy

The United Nations (UN) 62nd General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The Resolution was submitted by Italy, Galileo Galilei’s home country.

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is an initiative of the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO.

The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei.

The aim of the Year is to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme “The Universe, Yours to Discover”. IYA2009 events and activities will promote a greater appreciation of the inspirational aspects of astronomy that embody an invaluable shared resource for all nations.

The IYA2009 activities will take place at the global and regional levels, and especially at the national and local levels. National Nodes in each country have been formed to prepare activities for 2009. These Nodes establish collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers, science centres, educators and science communicators in preparing activities for 2009. Well over 140 countries are expected to take part in the activities in 2009.

To help coordinate this huge global programme, and to provide an important resource for the participating countries, the IAU has established a central Secretariat and this website as the principal IYA resource for public, professionals, and media alike.

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Posted in Astronomy, Sky, Research, Science, Space | No Comments »

NASA Outlines Manned Mars Mission Plans

Nasa has released details of its strategy for sending a human crew to Mars within the next few decades, the BBC reports.

NASA is planning to send a 400,000kg crewed spacecraft on a 30-month round trip to Mars as early as February 2031. The details of the planned mission were announced at a meeting in Houston, Texas.

As per the current plans the spacecraft would be assembled in low-Earth orbit using three to four Ares V rockets - the new heavy-lift launch vehicle that Nasa has been developing. Notionally dispatched in February 2031, the mission’s journey from Earth to Mars would take six to seven months in a spacecraft powered by an advanced cryogenic fuel propulsion system.

The cargo lander and surface habitat, which would be nuclear-powered, would be sent to Mars separately, launched before the crew in December 2028 and January 2029, approximately two years ahead of the manned mission. Astronauts could grow their own fruit and vegetables on the way.

Currently that many challenges remain for ensuring safe passage for the crew, like the high levels of cosmic radiation in deep space and on the surface of Mars. They will also need medical equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses or injuries. Nasa proposes using the Moon as a testing ground for many of these new systems.

Lets hope NASA will resolve all the difficulties and the Manned Mars exploration will be successful!

Sometime back, NASA was testing Linux for spacecraft control. We will have to wait and see whether Linux will play a role in this exploration.

Mars Facts:

Average Distance from the Sun: 141,633,260 miles
Surface Area: 89,500,000 square miles
Length of Day: 24.62 hours
Length of Year: 686.93 Earth days (1.9 Earth years)
Minimum/Maximum Surface Temperature: -125° to 23° F

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Space Solar Power Gets Momentum

The interest in the space solar power seems to be rising, as the The Space Solar Alliance for Future Energy (SSAFE), a new organization advocating investment in space-based solar power technologies to address the planet’s future energy needs, was announced.

The coalition of thirteen leading research organizations and space advocacy groups focused their inaugural event on the announcement of a new study of space-based solar power led by the National Security Space Office (NSSO).

The study concludes that space-based solar power deserves substantial national investment as a path towards addressing America’s future energy needs via a renewable energy source with no carbon emissions or hazardous waste. In the Space Solar Power concept, developed in the late nineteen-sixties by Dr. Peter Glaser, energy from sunlight is collected in space and transmitted wirelessly for use on Earth.

More images of space solar power system design are available at: http://www.nss.org/settlement/ssp/mafic.htm

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Posted in Sky, Innovative, Science, Space, Trends, Technology | 2 Comments »

NASA Wants More Astronauts

NASA is accepting applications for the 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class. Those selected could fly to space for long-duration stays on the International Space Station and missions to the moon.

To be considered, a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience are required. Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft.

Teaching experience, including work at the kindergarten through 12th grade level, is considered qualifying. Educators with the appropriate educational background are encouraged to apply.

After a six-month period of evaluation and interviews, NASA will announce final selections in early 2009. Astronaut candidates will report to Johnson in the summer of 2009 to begin the basic training program to prepare them for future spaceflight assignments.

NASA will accept applications through July 1, 2008. To apply visit: http://www.usajobs.gov

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