CENAP Infoline - no 143

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP-INFOLINE, dated September 27, 2001, is identified as NR.143 and focuses on science and technology, with a particular emphasis on astronomy and space exploration.

Rätselhafte Himmelskörper (Enigmatic Celestial Bodies)

This article, reported by Ralf Müller, discusses a conference held in Munich by the German and European Astronomical Society. The central theme was the ongoing mystery surrounding "black holes." While once a theoretical concept, black holes are now considered a common phenomenon in the universe. The article highlights that the mechanism by which millions or billions of suns collapse into a "singularity" from which not even light can escape remains theoretically explainable but experimentally unproven. An international team of astronomers has confirmed that black holes are widespread, likely existing in the central bulge of most galaxies. However, spiral galaxies appear to be an exception, seemingly lacking massive black holes. Douglas Richstone from the University of Michigan and Ralf Bender, Director of the Munich University Observatory, presented these findings.

Russen bringen Haustür ins All (Russians Bring a Front Door into Space)

This report from Moscow/Houston details the preparation for the arrival of a new Russian docking module, "Pirs" (meaning "Pier"), for the International Space Station (ISS). The four-ton module was launched from Baikonur via an unmanned Progress freighter and was scheduled to dock automatically. ISS Commander Frank Culbertson observed the launch from the ground. The "Pirs" module serves as a new "front door" for the Russian living and service module "Zvezda" (Star), enabling two Russian spacecraft to dock simultaneously. It also includes an airlock for Russian spacewalks. The article mentions that the module carries a small crane and scientific equipment from Germany and France. The crew was preparing for spacewalks through the new module in October.

Gerüchte über Ufos, düstere Nostradam (Rumors about UFOs, dark Nostradamus)

This article from New York discusses the rumors and legends that emerged in the city following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. It mentions various unsubstantiated stories circulating online and via SMS, including alleged sightings of Jesus in the smoke, and even claims of UFOs rescuing people from the upper floors of the buildings. The article also touches upon conspiracy theories, such as the involvement of Timothy McVeigh's followers or Colombian drug cartels, and bizarre claims that Presidents Bush and Clinton are aliens planning terrorist attacks. The prophecies of Nostradamus are also brought up, with alleged predictions of the Twin Towers' destruction and the start of World War III, though experts suggest these quotes may be falsified.

Polarlicht-Fans schauen in die Röhre (Aurora Fans Look into the Tube)

This report by Jörg-Peter Klotz and dpa discusses the phenomenon of auroras. Despite increased solar activity, the article states that the spectacular light show was not visible in the region. The US space agency NASA had initially raised hopes for auroras due to strong solar eruptions. While geomagnetic storms and auroras did occur, they were primarily visible in Alaska and Canada. Sascha Tubbessing, a physicist at the State Observatory in Heidelberg, explains that auroras are rare in their region, typically occurring only during periods of maximum solar activity. He notes that the sun's activity is decreasing, making auroras less likely. The article explains that auroras are caused by solar particles interacting with the Earth's magnetic field, exciting atmospheric atoms and molecules that then release light. The report also briefly mentions that the weather in Germany is expected to improve, with sunny conditions and warmer temperatures.

Cypher II im Schwebeflug (Cypher II in Hover Flight)

This brief report mentions that Sikorsky has begun initial tethered hover tests for its new mini-drone, the Cypher II. Free flights are expected by the end of summer, with delivery to the US Army Night Vision Lab in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, planned for the following year. The drone is intended as a test platform for small sensors and was picked up by the Army after the US Marine Corps lost interest. The Cypher II features a ducted fan, a propeller, and wings, capable of speeds up to 215 km/h and a range of about 180 km. It has a wingspan of approximately three meters and a takeoff weight of around 115 kg. Its potential use in "urban environments" is highlighted.

Testflug von B-52 erfolgreich (B-52 Test Flight Successful)

This section reports on the successful test flight of the American-European space glider X-38 on July 10. After being dropped from a NASA B-52 at an altitude of 11,430 meters, the X-38 successfully landed on Rogers Dry Lake in California. The primary goal of the test was to validate improvements in its control software, developed by Astrium. During the 13-minute flight, the X-38 was initially slowed by a 960-meter parachute and then by a larger parachute, which had more surface area than the wings of a Boeing 747.

Zweite Chance für Buran (Second Chance for Buran)

This article, authored by Matthias Gründer, discusses the potential revival of the Russian space shuttle Buran. Russian engineers believe there is a market for heavy payloads that cannot be fully served by the Shuttles alone. The Buran, which orbited the Earth only once in November 1988, was grounded due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. One of the Buran orbiters (001) is currently held as collateral for an unpaid loan at the Baikonur cosmodrome. The article states that the Buran program was never officially canceled, and 13 Buran orbiters were built, with five flight-ready units. Representatives from the Energija space corporation suggest that these could be reactivated relatively quickly. Orbiter 002 is 95% complete, and 003 is half-finished. The necessary funding for reactivation is reportedly available, with Russian rocket launches earning nearly two billion US dollars in the past 18 months, a sum that could be significantly increased with the Buran's payload capacity of around 100 tons. The reactivation of the orbiter, its Energija carrier rocket, and launch facilities is estimated to take about a year.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers cutting-edge developments in space exploration, including new spacecraft, orbital modules, and the challenges of astronomical research. There's a clear interest in phenomena that push the boundaries of current understanding, such as black holes and UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on scientific advancements while also acknowledging and exploring public interest in more speculative or mysterious topics, such as UFOs and prophecies, often presenting them with a degree of skepticism or as subjects of rumor and legend. The magazine also highlights international cooperation in space, as seen with the ISS and the X-38 project, alongside national space programs like Russia's.