CENAP Infoline - no 153

Magazine Overview

Title: FLUG REVUE
Issue: February 2002
Volume: Nr. 153
Date: 28. Februar 2002

This issue of FLUG REVUE, a German-language magazine focused on aviation and space technology, presents a diverse range of articles covering recent advancements, upcoming missions, and technological developments.

Articles

US-RAKETENABWEHR: "Volltreffer bei Test 7"

This article reports on the successful "Flugtest 7" (IFT-7) of the US Ground-based-Midcourse-Defense-Program (GMD), formerly NMD. The test involved launching a target from Vandenberg, California, carrying a simulated nuclear warhead and a decoy. An interceptor missile launched from Kwajalein in the Pacific successfully hit the target at an altitude of 225 km and a closing speed of 24,000 km/h. This success comes after the US officially terminated the ABM treaty with Russia, paving the way for a comprehensive missile defense system.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Hubble hebt den Schleier

This piece discusses a new image from the Hubble Space Telescope that reveals the nature of a "Pleiades veil" that had puzzled astronomers for over a century. The image shows a dark cloud of gas and dust flowing towards the Pleiades star Merope. The radiation pressure from Merope slows down smaller dust particles more than larger ones, creating the observed 'spiky' appearance of the nebula as the faster-moving particles form trailing structures.

FR Raumfahrt: Roland für Rosetta

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Rosetta mission is highlighted. The probe is scheduled to launch in January 2003 towards Comet Wirtanen, which it will reach in 2011. The mission's ambitious goal is to deploy a lander named RoLand onto the comet's surface in 2012. Due to the comet's orbit, Rosetta will undertake a complex trajectory involving fly-bys of Mars and Earth twice to gain momentum, resulting in a nine-year journey. The RoLand lander is equipped with nine instruments to analyze the comet's composition, physical properties, and internal structure. It underwent rigorous testing, including vibration and vacuum tests, at IABG in Ottobrunn before being handed over to ESA for integration.

FR Raumfahrt: Mit dem Ballon in die Mesosphäre

This short article introduces the QinetiQ 1, a manned helium balloon project by two Britons, Andy Elson and Colin Prescot. They plan to ascend to over 40 kilometers in altitude in the summer of 2002, aiming to witness the curvature of the Earth. The balloon's envelope will expand to a volume of 1.1 million cubic meters at its peak altitude. The pilots will wear specialized pressure suits, similar to those used by Russian cosmonauts, for the estimated eight to twelve-hour flight.

FR Raumfahrt: Deutsche Nase für Raumgleiter X-38

This article focuses on the development of the nose cone for the X-38 V-201, a prototype space glider designed as a crew rescue vehicle (CRV) for the International Space Station (ISS). The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has successfully integrated the nose cone, which is crucial for withstanding extreme thermal loads of up to 1750 degrees Celsius during atmospheric re-entry. The nose cone's design is integrated with a pressure measurement system consisting of nine boreholes and sensors to determine the glider's flight attitude for control. This is the first 'hot' structure from Germany to be mounted on the X-38, with further components from Astrium and MAN Technologie to follow. The project aims to establish a technological basis for future space transport systems, with a realistic test flight anticipated in 2003.

FR Raumfahrt: Galileo-Mission - Letzte Visite am Jupitermond Io

The Galileo probe, launched in 1989, is nearing the end of its mission. On January 17, 2002, it made its final close fly-by of Jupiter's moon Io, passing within 100 kilometers of its surface. This maneuver served two purposes: to gather final images of Io and to set a trajectory for Galileo's plunge into Jupiter's dense atmosphere in September 2003. The probe has endured radiation doses three and a half times higher than it was designed for. Galileo has orbited Jupiter over 33 times, also visiting moons Europa, Ganymed, and Callisto. Before its final descent, Galileo will make one last fly-by of Jupiter's innermost moon, Amalthea, in November 2002. The article notes that Galileo's camera functions intermittently due to Jupiter's radiation.

Zwillingsstart in Plesezk: GRACES messen Schwerkraft

This article details the launch of the twin GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellites from Plesetsk, Russia. Built by Astrium based on the German geophysical spacecraft Champ, GRACE's mission is to measure Earth's gravity field with unprecedented accuracy. By continuously monitoring the 200 km distance between the two satellites in their 485 km polar orbit, scientists can detect subtle changes in the gravity field caused by internal Earth processes, melting ice, or shifting ocean currents. The mission is expected to provide updated models of Earth's gravitational field and atmospheric profiles for five years.

ESA plant acht Lander

This section outlines ESA's ambitious plans for planetary exploration over the next twelve years, involving eight landers targeting four celestial bodies. Five landers are destined for Mars, with Beagle 2 scheduled to arrive in December 2003 aboard the Mars Express probe. Four identical NetLanders from CNES will study Marsquakes starting in August 2008. The Huygens probe, part of NASA's Cassini mission, is en route to Saturn's moon Titan, with a planned landing in January 2005. The BepiColombo probe will reach Mercury in 2012, and the Rosetta mission will deploy the RoLand lander on Comet Wirtanen in the same year.

FR Raumfahrt: Die Erde bekommt bald neue Pole

A brief note discusses the shifting of Earth's magnetic poles, as explained by Professor Hermann Lühr. He suggests that Earth's magnetic field is moving towards a multi-polar structure, a phenomenon that has occurred periodically throughout Earth's history, approximately every 200,000 years. Potential consequences include disruptions to TV broadcasts and satellite communications.

FLUG REVUE MÄRZ 2002: SOLOTREK XFV

This short piece reports on the initial tethered hover tests of the SoloTrek XFV, a single-person vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft developed by Millenium Jet. The craft, powered by a piston engine, achieved altitudes of about 60 centimeters for up to 20 seconds. Further free flights are expected in the coming months, with DARPA providing funding. A prototype is slated for delivery to the military for trials in late 2003.

MORGEN: Astronauten reisen zu Hubble

This news brief announces the launch of the US Space Shuttle Columbia for a mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. The astronauts are tasked with installing new instruments to upgrade the nearly twelve-year-old telescope. The launch was scheduled for 12:48 PM CET on February 28, 2002.

MORGEN: Columbia startet verspätet

This follow-up report states that the US Space Shuttle Columbia's launch to Hubble has been delayed by 24 hours due to a cold snap. The launch is now expected on March 1, 2002.

Nach 27 Minuten knallen die Sektkorken

This article details the successful launch of the European environmental satellite Envisat from Kourou, French Guiana, by an Ariane 5 rocket. The launch control center in Darmstadt, Germany, celebrated the event after a tense countdown. The article highlights the nearly ten years of work and 2.3 billion Euro investment that went into the mission. Envisat is equipped with ten instruments to monitor greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, ocean pollution, and geological activity. The satellite successfully deployed its solar panels and is now undergoing instrument calibration, with the first usable images expected in the fall. The article also mentions the concurrent launch of seven astronauts aboard the US Space Shuttle Columbia for a mission to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope, which involves five planned spacewalks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes European achievements in space exploration, particularly highlighting ESA's role and collaborations. There is a strong focus on technological advancements, from missile defense systems to satellite instrumentation and personal aircraft. The editorial stance appears to be one of celebrating scientific progress and the capabilities of European space programs, while also reporting on significant international developments in the field. The inclusion of news briefs from "MORGEN" suggests a commitment to timely reporting of major space events.