Home |

Archive for March, 2008

Audit raps NASA for handling of survey (AP)

Monday, March 31st, 2008

AP – NASA shut down a massive air-safety survey project without ever properly evaluating, explaining or publicizing its purpose and results, and thus lost a chance for valuable insight into safety issues, the space agency’s inspector general said Monday.

More: continued here

Successful qualification firing test for Zefiro 23

Monday, March 31st, 2008

On 27 March 2008, the second stage motor for Vega – Europe’s new small launcher – successfully completed a static firing test at the Salto Di Quirra Inter-force Test Range in Sardinia, Italy.

More: continued here

Impressive dress-rehearsal for Jules Verne ATV

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Jules Verne ATV today approached the International Space Station to within 11 m of the docking port on the Russian Zvezda module. The approach was part of a second ATV demonstration day which clears the way for the first rendezvous and docking attempt on 3 April.

More: continued here

European space freighter in dress rehearsal for ISS hookup (AFP)

Monday, March 31st, 2008

An artist's impression released by European Space Agency (ESA) shows the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) during docking with the International Space Station (ISS). Europe's brand-new robot space freighter was inching towards the International Space Station on Monday as mission controllers practised key manoeuvres ahead of a maiden linkup on Thursday, the European Space Agency said.(AFP/ESA/File/D. Ducros)AFP – Europe’s brand-new robot space freighter inched towards the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday as mission controllers practised emergency manoeuvres ahead of a maiden linkup on Thursday.


More: continued here

Space Freighter Finishes Docking Dress Rehearsals (SPACE.com)

Monday, March 31st, 2008

SPACE.com – Europe’s massive “Jules Verne” space freighter wrapped up its final dress rehearsal high above the Earth, priming the ship for a Thursday docking at the International Space Station (ISS).

More: continued here

NASA’s next launch delayed until May 31 (AP)

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takao Doi (R) waves as the crew of space shuttle Endeavour leave a post-landing news conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida March 27, 2008. From left are Pilot Gregory Johnson, Commander Dominic Gorie (obscured), Michael Foreman and Doi.    REUTERS/Joe Skipper  (UNITED STATES)AP – NASA’s next space shuttle launch has been delayed until May 31, nearly a week late because of extra time needed to get the fuel tank to Florida.


More: continued here

Earth from Space: Further break-up of Antarctic ice shelf

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

This animation, comprised of images acquired by Envisat’s Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR), highlights the rapid loss of ice on the Wilkins Ice Shelf from 26 February to 7 March 2008.

More: continued here

ESA satellite technology enhances nuclear monitoring

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

Satellite telecommunication technology developed with support from ESA is being used to enhance the connections between the International Atomic Energy Agency’s remote monitoring centre and nuclear facilities around the world, including the Chernobyl site.

More: continued here

Jules Verne receives go for next step

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

International Space Station managers have today given the go-ahead for Jules Verne ATV to proceed with the second of two demonstration days in the lead up to a first ISS docking attempt later in the week. On Monday, Demonstration Day 2 will see ATV approach to within 11 m of the ISS.

More: continued here

Hebes Chasma, a trough in the Grand Canyon of Mars

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

Hebes Chasma is an enclosed trough, almost 8000 m deep, in Valles Marineris, the Grand Canyon of Mars, where water is believed to have flowed. The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on ESA’s Mars Express studied the area providing new pictorial clues to its history.

More: continued here