France in Space #286
** 1: FIRST INMARSAT-4 SATELLITE READY FOR LAUNCH
The first Inmarsat-4 satellite is due to be launched from Cap Canaveral on
March 10 aboard an ILS (International Launch Services) Atlas V vehicle.
Built by EADS Astrium, the spacecraft weighs approximately six tons and is
based on EADS AStrium’s Eurostar E3000 satellite platform, which carries
several technological improvements. It is today viewed as the world’s
largest and most sophisticated communication satellite. The new generation
of three Inmarsat satellites will provide a Broadband Global Area Network
(BGAN) service, which will offer 8-10 times more bandwidth capacity than
currently exists.(cf France in Space No 283 article 2) [Aviation Week &
Space Technology 03/07/2005]
** 2: METEOSAT-5 NOW AVAILABLE FOR TSUNAMI ALERT APPLICATIONS
EUMETSAT has made available its METEOSAT-5 spacecraft, stationed over the
Indian Ocean, for a new tsunami warning system. The University of Hawaii
will especially use the satellite to retransmit signals from two new buoys
placed in the Indian Ocean as part of the Pacific tsunami warning system
operated by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
Engineers had previously reconfigured the satellite’s ground infrastructure
to allow data-collection platforms to receive signals in the international
frequency band reserved for emergency use. [EUMETSAT 03/01/2005, Aviation
Week & Space Technology 03/07/2005, EADS Astrium 03/07/2005]
** 3: EURISS TO BE IN CHARGE OF OPERATION AND UTILIZATION OF ISS
EADS Space Transportation and Alenia Spazio, a Finmeccanica affiliate, have
formed on March 3 a joint venture called EURISS, for European utilization
and operation of the International Space Station (ISS). Owned 75% by EADS,
the new company will serve as an interface between the European Space Agency
(ESA) and all contractors involved in industrial operations or services
related to the European part of the ISS. EURISS creation is aimed at
facilitating the execution of the “Exploitation contract” signed by EADS and
Alenia in 2000, expected to be worth 2.6 billion euros ($ 3.4 billion)
through 2013. This contract covers preparation tasks for operation of
Colombus orbital lab as well as production and launch of 6 ATV (Automated
Transfer Vehicle) units. [EADS Space Transportation 03/03/2005]
** 4: A CLOSE EARTH FLY-BY ALLOWS TESTING OF ROSETTA INSTRUMENTS
The Rosetta spacecraft performed on March 4 ESA’ closest-ever Earth fly-by
at an altitude of 1954 kilometres, gaining an essential gravity boost in its
ten-year mission to Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The passage through the
Earth-Moon system allowed engineers to test Rosetta’s Asteroid Fly-by Mode
(AFM). During this successful test, both navigation cameras tracked the Moon
as a ‘fake’ asteroid, allowing Rosetta’s altitude to be automatically
adjusted. In addition, other onboard instruments were switched on, including
ultraviolet imaging spectrometer (ALICE), visible and infrared mapping
spectrometer (VIRTIS), and the microwave instrument MIRO, for calibration
and general testing. [ESA 03/05/2005]
** 5: ESA TO SELECT SEVEN GMES RESEARCH PROJECT IN MAY
The European Space Agency (ESA) plans to select seven Earth observation
projects by May, which will run for about two years with a budget between 3
and 10 million euros ($3.9-13 million) each. The awarded projects will then
be part of the second phase of Global Monitoring for Environment and
Security (GMES) pilot project program led by ESA. CNES is currently working
at three preliminary studies related to continental, oceanic and atmospheric
environment, which will be potential candidates to fulfil ESA’s GMES needs.
[Space News 03/07/2005, CNES]
** 6: IN BRIEF
On July 4 Rosetta will be in a good position to observe and gather data
during the encounter of the NASA’s Deep Impact probe with Comet Tempel 1.
Some Rosetta’s instruments, such as its ultraviolet imaging spectrometer
ALICE, should be available to contribute to the American mission. [ESA
03/05/2005]
Michel Tognini has recently been nominated at the head of the European
Astronaut Centre (ECA). Located in Cologne, Germany, this centre is the home
base of the the European Astronaut Corps, led by the German astronaut
Gerhard Thiele. [Air & Cosmos 03/04/2005]
France In Space is a weekly synthesis of French space activities based on
French press. Its content does not reflect an official position of the
French Government or CNES. It is provided by the CNES office and the Office
of Science and Technology of the French Embassy in Washington D.C
Editors: Jean-Jacques Tortora, Clémence Le Fèvre
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