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TOPIC: ESApod


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RE: ESApod
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VEX_update_26-06-07.jpg
spacer.gifVenus Express is the first mission dedicated to the study of the composition and dynamics of the planets atmosphere. The European orbiter has identified broad meteorological regimes, all influenced by the gigantic hurricane-like vortices at the poles. From these double-eyed vortices, swirling in the atmosphere, around the planet in just a couple of days, to smoother streams at mid-latitudes and wave-dominated phenomena at lower latitudes - these regimes are, surprisingly, clearly delineated. The spacecrafts elongated orbit has allowed its instruments, notably the VMC camera and the VIRTIS imaging spectrometer, to obtain long-shot views of the planets weather patterns, mosaics showing different types of cloud formation and wind speeds, varying according to altitude and latitude. Venus Express has obtained much information on the composition and physical processes active in the atmosphere, and has been able to measure the loss of molecules, stripped away by the solar wind. Rates of oxygen depletion are still being calculated but some tentative conclusions are being advanced. Venus Express has also probably brought the final answer to the controversy about the presence of lightening. The venusian picture is still far from complete. The European mission which has now been prolonged to the end of 2008, is pursuing its harvest of data, allowing scientists to better understand the precise reasons why, compared to our planet, Venus has become so inhospitable.

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STS122_NOV2007_DV_23-11-07.jpg
spacer.gifColumbus, with its planned operational lifetime of ten years, is Europe's first laboratory for long-term research in space conditions. Scientific experiments will be performed on board in the weightlessness of orbit. Once in orbit, Columbus will be taken out of the cargo bay by the Shuttles robotic arm. The European laboratory will then be moved to the Italian-built Node 2 connector, where it will be permanently fixed to the Station. Each rack inside Columbus is a laboratory in its own right. Experiments in life sciences, physiology and physics can all be carried out within the one structure. These facilities are pre-installed inside Columbus so experiments can start immediately after it arrives at the ISS. Experiments can also be mounted outside Columbus, to examine the effects of exposure to the space environment. Two such experiments will be launched along with the laboratory.

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Hans Schlegel prepares for Columbus Mission
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Schlegel.jpg
spacer.gifSchlegel has been preparing for his upcoming mission to deliver Columbus since starting his training as mission specialist with the NASA astronaut class of 1998 at the Johnson Space Centre, Houston. All astronauts have to go through this extensive training to prepare for any given situation that might occur during a mission. Following his assignment to the STS-122 Shuttle mission that will deliver the European Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station, recent months have seen a period of even more intensive briefings and further training for Schlegel, for his colleague French ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts, and his STS-122 crewmates. Returning to space 14 years after his first visit, Schlegel is already wondering if his body will remember microgravity.

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ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts ready to make space history
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Eyharts.jpg
spacer.gifImagine a multifunctional high-tech laboratory, suspended some 400 km above our heads, dedicated to the achievement of scientific, technological and educational benefits for the citizens of Europe. Well, this dream actually exists, and it's called Columbus. In December, the Space Shuttle will carry Columbus up to the International Space Station along with ESA astronauts Eyharts and Schlegel and five American astronauts. Leopold Eyharts's main role will be to attach the module to the Station before making all the physical connections. Eyharts will become the first European astronaut to test and operate in orbit the systems of the Columbus laboratory as well as the European science experiments carried onboard. During his two and a half month mission to the ISS, he will act as flight engineer and will also support robotics activities. Apart from testing Columbus, Eyharts will also see the arrival at the ISS of 'Jules Verne', ESA's first Automated Transfer Vehicle, or ATV. This European-built spacecraft will be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket some weeks after Columbus to supply and reboost the International Space Station.

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RE: ESApod
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nespoli_postflight_S.jpg
spacer.gifOn 23 October 2007, Italian ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli prepared for take-off on the outbound trip on Space Shuttle Discovery to the ISS. This mission, named Esperia, was exceptional because of the very special payload astronaut Nespoli was responsible for delivering: Node 2. The 'Harmony' Node 2 module is an indispensable building block in the continuing construction of the ISS. As Intra Vehicular astronaut, Paolo Nespoli also co-ordinated all planned spacewalks from inside the Shuttle. These are essential for the ongoing maintenance and assembly of the ISS. Paolo Nespoli and his crewmates unexpectedly had to fix the damaged solar array that is key to generating the necessary power for the Columbus laboratory. Crew members fashioned a tool from existing materials on board the ISS to be used in the repair of the fabric during a dedicated spacewalk on day 11 of the mission. With the delivery and attachment of Node 2 to the ISS it is now possible to send Europe's Columbus laboratory to the ISS on the STS 122 Shuttle flight on 6 December as planned.

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Accomazzo.jpg
spacer.gifRosetta, ESA's comet-chasing spacecraft, is due to swing-by Earth tomorrow, 13 November, making closest approach at 21:57 CET. The next three days promise to be intensely busy at ESOC, ESA's Space Operations Centre, in Darmstadt, Germany. On 12 November, ESApod spoke with Andrea Accomazzo, the Spacecraft Operations Manager, who provided an update on the team work going on at ESOC and the support being provided by ESA's New Norcia ESTRACK ground station and by NASA's deep-space network. At 19:00 CET (18:00 UTC) tonight, Rosetta will be 920 000 km from the Earth, approaching at 9.4 km/second relative to our planet.

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Rosetta_flyby2_S.jpg
spacer.gifRosetta swung by Earth in March 2005 and Mars in February 2007. As it approaches its home planet once again, the spacecraft will have travelled more than 3000 million kilometres since launch in 2004. At ESA's Space Operations Centre (ESOC), in Darmstadt, Germany, mission controllers have made the final adjustments to Rosetta's trajectory in preparation for the swing-by. The highest priority is being given to spacecraft operations, as the manoeuvre is critical for the success of the mission. However, and despite the unfavourable illumination conditions due to the positions of the Sun and the Earth, a few experiments both on the orbiter and the Philae Lander will be activated for calibration, scientific measurements and imaging. The observations are scheduled during and around the time of closest approach, from 7 Nov, 01:00 CET, to 20 Nov, 15:00 CET. Rosetta will first point to Earth to observe the atmosphere and the magnetosphere, and it will also look for shooting stars from space. It will image urban regions in Asia, Africa and Europe and then point to the Moon and obtain spectra of the illuminated Moon. Flying away after closest approach, Rosetta will image the Earth-Moon system from a distance.

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Columbus_Control_Centre_S.jpg
spacer.gifESA's Columbus Control Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, made its successful debut as an ISS control centre in 2006, scheduling and controlling the scientific experiments conducted by ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter during the hugely successful Astrolab mission. With delivery of Europe's space laboratory Columbus to the ISS set for December 2007, flight controllers at 'Col CC' will become responsible not only for scientific experiments but also for a complete laboratory of the International Space Station, with operations running 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. The Columbus Control Centre is operated on behalf of ESA by DLR, the German Aerospace Centre, and the flight control team is composed of dedicated specialists from DLR, ESA and industry. The team is supervised by Columbus Mission Directors of the European Space Agency.

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Esperia_2007_S.jpg
spacer.gifDuring a 10-day stay at the Space Station, Paolo Nespoli will coordinate three spacewalks from inside the ISS during which Harmony will be installed. He will also be carrying out experiments on behalf of ESA and of the Italian Space Agency (ASI). In return for Europe providing high-tech nodes for the Space Station, NASA will soon be carrying the European Columbus Laboratory into orbit. Columbus, ESA's most important contribution to the ISS so far, will be used for science experiments and to prepare for the exploration of the Moon and Mars.The conference was organised by ESA`s Technology Transfer Programme which promotes the use and transfer of space technology and materials to non-space sectors. The European Space Technology Conference 2007 took place as part of the Materialica Trade Fair which focuses on new materials. The scope was to attract in particular industry in that field to take a closer look at the potential of space-developed technologies and materials. More than 40 successful examples were presented by 21 speakers illustrating the adventurous and profitable solutions provided by space tech in many different industrial sectors: automotive, medical, energy, textile, security and robotics.

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DSC_0020_S.jpg
spacer.gifThe conference was organised by ESA`s Technology Transfer Programme which promotes the use and transfer of space technology and materials to non-space sectors. The European Space Technology Conference 2007 took place as part of the Materialica Trade Fair which focuses on new materials. The scope was to attract in particular industry in that field to take a closer look at the potential of space-developed technologies and materials. More than 40 successful examples were presented by 21 speakers illustrating the adventurous and profitable solutions provided by space tech in many different industrial sectors: automotive, medical, energy, textile, security and robotics.

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