Since its launch 11 September 2010, the satellite Michibiki was used by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) to test the technologies developed for the QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System). QZSS is intended to complement and improve the accuracy of GPS positioning system satellite-American (see BE 572 Japan, “Navigation in urban areas improved by Michibiki” [1]). In total, Michibiki is capable of transmitting six different positioning signals: L1 C / A, L1-SAIF, L1C, L2C, L5 and LEX. The tests conducted so far have tested the quality and reliability of the positioning signals L1-C / A and L2C (identical to the first two civil GPS signals, whose combined use can correct disturbances due to ionosphere) emitted by the satellite meets the requirements specified in the specifications of the user interface QZSS system (IS-QZSS).

Consequently, JAXA has decided to “use” signals L1-C / A and L2C, which could already be captured by the terminal but could not be used for positioning calculations. In the future, the Japanese space agency will temporarily make the signal unusable again, for the purposes of certain checks or conducting experiments. L1C and L5 signals (the third and fourth civilian GPS signals that correspond to a modernization of the GPS) will also be used when conformance to specifications IS-QZSS has been demonstrated.

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(The satellite Peace is a component of the Spanish program of Earth observation. Image: Astrium.)

Spain a few years will become “the first European country to have a dual system of Earth observation, radar and optical, and dual-use civilian and military, as highlighted on Tuesday the Defence Minister, Carme Chacón , at the launch of satellite Peace.

The minister explained that this satellite radar technology, one hundred percent developed and manufactured in our country, will provide up to 100 daily images of the Earth’s surface with a resolution of one meter. These capabilities will join in three years from the satellite WitOf optical technology.

Peace be in orbit in 2013 and can detect the position of any ship in the world can be affected by a kidnapping, thanks to the Automatic Identification System AIS. It will also allow to perform more tasks simple and efficient border control surveillance, international treaty verification, monitoring and evaluation of natural disasters or environmental monitoring.

From manufacture to launch, the satellite will generate 425 jobs for highly qualified in Spain, as it is in orbit another 80 jobs will be created more.

The new satellite, with high resolution radar technology, was commissioned in late 2007 by the Ministry of Defence Hisdesat, under the National Plan for Earth Observation, to meet the operational requirements of the Armed Forces.

In turn, the company hired to design and manufacture of the satellite to EADS Astrium, which is the first time the Spanish space industry are challenged to build a satellite of this size and complexity, assembled and manufactured entirely in Spain.

Launch end 2012

For its part, has hired Hisdesat the launch of Russian satellite launcher DNPER, Scheduled for late 2012. Peace, Which is designed for a mission of five and a half, is five meters high and 2.4 meters in diameter, with a total weight of 1,400 kilos.

INTA is responsible for developing the ground segment of the program, including control and monitoring stations in Torrejón (Madrid) and Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) and processing facilities and data storage.

The satellite presentation Peace has been made in the EADS CASA Espacio, and have assisted the defense minister, Carme Chacon, the Chief of Staff of Defense, José Julio Rodríguez, Secretary of State for Defence, Constantino Mendez, Secretary General of Industry , Teresa Santero, Hisdesat CEO, Roberto Lopez, and the CEO of Astrium Spain, Antonio Cuadrado.

The satellite has “a sophisticated technology that will allow our country to have a major role in the field of satellite images of high resolution,” said Roberto Lopez. And thanks to Peace, Spain possess powers of observation at all times, day and night in all weather conditions, highlighted Antonio Cuadrado.

The Defence Minister also recalled the drive and innovation of the Spanish aerospace industry, which has positioned itself in a few years as the fifth largest in Europe.

Source: Defense

After running the SDS-1 satellite in 2009, JAXA is developing the SDS-4 satellite. As SDS-1, this small satellite (a cube of 50 kg and 50 cm edge, with a 120 W power available) will test several promising technologies. Unlike the SDS-1 satellite attitude SDS-4 can be controlled on its 3-axis pointing toward the Sun in normal operation phase and to Earth at nadir during his experimental phase. SDS-4 to be launched in summer 2011 with the GCOM-W1 satellite, and placed on a sun-synchronous orbit at 677 km altitude.

SDS-4 will carry four technology validation missions. Experience FOX (FHP On-orbit Experiment) will validate the new orbit flat heat pipes for future thermal control systems for satellites. Experience IST (In-flight experiment of Space Materials using THERME) characterize the degradation of thermal control materials, using the component THERME provided by the French space agency. Experience QCM (Quartz Crystal Microbalance) will characterize a quartz microbalance developed by the scientific division of JAXA (ISAS), a component that will be useful to develop future sensors that will measure internal contamination by micro satellite (a causes of deterioration of certain instruments on board).

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Party in 2009 with the aim of studying the origins of the universe through the measurement of cosmic background radiation, Planck was able to provide an image of the sky with an angular accuracy and sensitivity as yet unpublished. He becomes the first source of information to test theories about the formation of the universe and its present structure.

The new data and images captured by Planck were presented during the meeting between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), which was held at the UPS in Rome. The Presidents of the two bodies, and Enrico Saggese Tomaso Maccacaro, and a representative of the European Space Agency (ESA), Fabio Favata, have participated in the conference.

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IKAROS was launched May 21, 2010 with the probe Venus AKATSUKI. Ikaros is a square sail of about 14 m square, made of a polyimide material as fine as 7.5 microns. Solar cells are integrated into the membrane. The central part of the probe, which houses the electrical systems, has a diameter of 1.6 m for a thickness of 1m. The total mass of the demonstrator is 315kg. In June 2010, the sail was fully extended and rotated at a speed of between 1 and 2.5 revolutions per minute. This process of unfolding was monitored by a camera placed at the center of the sail, then dropping a camera which allowed to observe the veil in its entirety. The power supply was tested on June 10 and was able to demonstrate a power supply of about 40 W. JAXA then began surveillance by Doppler measurement of the acceleration of the sail pressure exerted by the sun. June 9, JAXA has been able to determine that the solar pressure on IKAROS equivalent to a force of 1.1 mN. Finally, between June and November 2010, sailing has seen its rate increase of 100 m / s. Finally, in December last, JAXA engineers conducted a test of navigation, the approach to Venus, which showed that the trajectory of the probe could well be controlled to some extent (not IKAROS suffered a parabolic trajectory exactly close to Venus). To rotate the sail IKAROS, JAXA uses a special coating placed on certain parts of the sail, the properties of transparency can be changed when there is a current flow, thus producing a torque about the center of gravity of the demonstrator.

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Johann-Dietrich Worner, director of DLR, said “a lot of missions and projects in space can not, due to their complexity and high costs, be made in international cooperation.” He added that “just as the DLR, other entities involved in space research will benefit from the agreement, such as universities or large centers such as the Max Planck Society, or companies Aerospace. He is also pleased to have completed shortly after the announcement of the new national aerospace to achieve one of the stated objectives, namely strengthening international cooperation.

The cooperation agreement covers most important areas of aerospace research. In space, the theme will be the main Earth observation and research in space conditions and the flight out of the atmosphere and planetary exploration. The agreement covers joint development of spacecraft, platforms and research on the use of rockets and research balloons.

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Currently the sensor operates in an elliptical orbit with a perihelion of 90 million kilometers and an aphelion of 110 million kilometers. Its orbital period is 203 days and revolves around the sun faster than Venus (225 days). JAXA would however not make the same mistake at the next opportunity to put into orbit, and wants to avoid to achieve a sharp deceleration of the probe. In addition, the analysis shows that the engine thrust OME not work now at 60% capacity. It seems increasingly clear that the failure of December was caused by a defect in a valve system for supplying fuel to the engine OME (orbital maneuvering engine). The pressurized tank of motor OME has been weaker than expected and has shortened the duration of engine operation. A gradual slowing of the probe would meet again in 5 years Venus, after eight revolutions around the Sun.

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The funds released should be used for three projects: building a space center, the manufacture of satellites in Earth observation, and a training program for Vietnamese engineers. The future space center is located in Hoa Lac (30 km from Hanoi), and should include a test center for the assembly of satellites, an operations center, and a bidirectional antenna 7 meters in diameter. The first of two Earth observation satellites will be manufactured by Japan and launched by an H-IIA rocket in 2017. JAXA, aided by Japanese manufacturers, will train Vietnamese engineers in the production and operation of satellites, as well as for data analysis. The second satellite will be made to him by Vietnamese engineers and the beginning of its manufacturing phase is set in 2019. JAXA will provide components and technical assistance aiming for a launch in 2020.

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The government said the gesture by the very favorable impact of the Hayabusa mission to the Japanese public. Several newspapers have indeed mentioned the return of Hayabusa in the top three “good news” for Japan for 2010, as well as obtaining two Nobel Prize in Chemistry or the accession of the football team in the final rounds of the World Cup.

The Hayabusa probe-2 will take off in 2014 bound for the asteroid 1999JU3. As Hayabusa-1, it should release a mini-rover, making scientific observations from a distance, and take samples at the asteroid’s surface. The difference with the previous mission, in addition to the more primitive nature of the asteroid in question, lies in the fact that the probe recovery of samples located at depth. It is foreseen qu’Hayabusa-2 dropped an impactor that will create a crater, thus updating the interior of the asteroid. The probe should then return to Earth in 2020.

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The complex of Cerro Paranal, built by ESO (European Southern Agency) to study dark matter under heaven among the most pure and transparent world, already has since the late 90s a cluster of four telescopes which together form the VLT (Very Large Telescope). This new tool will be used as a “hunter” to search for stars to be studied, then they will be more finely analyzed by the four telescopes of the VLT.

The VST is a telescope of 260 cm in diameter, equipped with a camera of 268 million pixels, with a field equivalent to four times the full moon. Its completion took place under the leadership of Professor Massimo Capaccioli of INAF (National Institute of Astrophysics). Many parts of the telescope was provided by INAF observatories of Padua (Veneto) and Arcetri (Tuscany).

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