Arianespace to Launch Pleiades 1 Earth Observation Satellite in 2nd Soyuz Mission from French Guiana
On December 16, Arianespace will launch its 2nd mission from Kourou, French Guiana with the legendary, medium-lift Soyuz vehicle. The primary payload for the mission is the Pleiades 1 Earth observation satellite, which was built by EADS Astrium for the French CNES space agency. Pleiades 1 will provide military and civilian users with 50-cm resolution optical satellite imagery at a coverage swath width of 20km. The compact, hexagonally-shaped spacecraft will operate from a 700-km orbit. Four French DGA defense ministry ELISA electronic intelligence demonstrators, and a Chile SSOT Earth observation platform will also be launched on the mission. Both SSOT and the ELISA spacecraft use the Myriade microsatellite platform developed under French CNES leadership, which weighs less than 200 kg and offers low-cost access to space. Soyuz joined the heavy-lift Ariane 5 at the French Guiana spaceport with its successful October 21 launch. The lightweight Vega will complete the Arianespace’s launcher family in 2012. (Image Credit: Arianespace, EADS Astrium)
New Cosmodome Advancing Canada Space Education, Exploration with Virtual Exhibits
A newly revamped Cosmodome will launch its brand new virtual space exploration experience on December 15 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The US$10.5M project paid for by the Quebec Government and the Ville de Laval, took nearly 2 years to complete and will feature 3 60-minute interactive space missions geared to be educational and stimulating. Visitors can participate in any of 3 missions of their choice which include reliving the Apollo 11 voyage to the Moon, a perilous journey to Mars and a conquest of our Solar System and beyond. The Cosmodome also includes 17 new engaging modules for visitors and new updates to its existing exhibits. The Cosmodome is recognized as 1 of 5 metropolitan tourism facilities in Greater Montreal and the only museum dedicated to advancing space exploration in Canada. Executive Director Sylvain Belair (TL) hopes to double the attendance in 2012 with a goal of more than 150,000 visitors. Other programs held by the Cosmodome including Space Camp, workshops and various educational and public events. (Image Credit: Cosmodome, spacemart.com)
= All times for terrestrial events in local time unless noted.
= All times for international terrestrial events in local time unless noted.
= All times for space events, and…
= All times for international space / astro events in Hawaii Standard Time unless noted. Add 10 hours to obtain UT (‘Universal Time;’ Greenwich, England).
Dec 12 — International Space Station, LEO: E-30 crew members focus on science experiments, hardware tests and maintenance duties while making preparations for the arrival of 3 more crew members next week.
Dec 12 — NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), Lunar Orbit: LRO continues to function nominally in its 50±15 km near-circular orbit as it makes digital elevation and terrain maps that will be a fundamental reference for future human exploration.
Dec 12 — Mars Rover Opportunity, Red Planet: NASA scientists continue to study imagery from Martian rover Opportunity after it discovered a mineral vein that was almost certainly deposited by water billions of years ago.
Dec 12-15 — Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative, United Nations Environment Program, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: ‘1st Eye on Earth Summit.’
Dec 12 — Asteroid 6735 Madhatter: Closest Approach To Earth (1.001 AU).
Continued from…
Dec 10 — Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral FL: ‘Astronaut Encounter: Space Shuttle Astronaut Don Thomas,’ half-hour, interactive Q&A-oriented program aims to inspire children and adults alike to strive for excellence; through Dec 16.
Dec 13 — Langley Research Center, Hampton VA: Reporters invited to view test version of the Orion crew capsule taking its final splash of the year at the Hydro Impact Basin of NASA’s Langley Research Center between 15:00-16:00 EST.
Dec 13 — Geminids Meteor Shower Peak: Appearing to radiate from constellation Gemini, this final major meteor shower of the year usually produces over 50 meteors per hour. Unfortunately it will be obscured by a waning gibbous Moon.
Dec 15 — Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville AL: ‘NASA MSFC Industry Day,’ event to share latest information on an upcoming research announcement for the Space Launch System’s advanced booster at 09:00 CST.
Dec 15 — The Cosmodome, Laval, Quebec, Canada: ‘Cosmodome Reopening,’ space-themed facility to reopen following a $US10.5M facelift.
Dec 15 — Moon: 2.8° S of Pleiades; 16:00.
FRIDAY
NET Dec 16 — Arianespace, Launch Soyuz / Pleiades 1,Kourou, French Guiana: An Arianespace Soyuz rocket set to launch 2nd mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America.
Dec 18 — Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland CA: ‘Ask Jeeves Planetarium Shows,’ featuring ‘Astronaut,’ ‘Secret of the Rocket,’ ‘Tales of the Mayan Sky,’ and ‘2 Small Pieces of Glass.’
Includes ~150 meetings covering the fields of COSPAR Scientific Commissions / Panels / Task Groups, such as SC B: The Earth-Moon System, Planets, and...
At the Palais des Nations and online. Outer space is entering a renewed phase of strategic importance, defined by rapid innovation, growing competition and deepening...
This international lunar science meeting has two objectives: to provide a platform for leading experts to review recent advances across lunar research, from the...
At CSIR International Convention Centre. Key topics are Earth Observation, Developing Space Tourism, Space Supply Manufacturing. Cultural tours are offered.
(No earlier than 10 Aug) Japan to launch the MICHIBIKI No. 7 | Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-7) navigation satellite. Launch window remains open through...
Participants will receive theoretical and hands-on training in electron imaging and X-ray spectroscopy for application to planetary samples. This training opportunity is targeted at...
"Leading Australia’s Space Future for Our Strategic Advantage". Southern Space 2026 brings together decision-makers who set the direction for Australia’s space sector. It is...
The second test launch of LandSpace's ZQ-3 rocket with undisclosed test payloads. Zhuque-3 first stage booster will attempt to land on its downrange landing...
A total solar eclipse with a magnitude of 1.0386 (greatest eclipse 17:47:06 UTC) will be visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic...
Includes presentation of the Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence, activities for the new class of Astronaut Scholars, 2-day Technical Conference where Scholars present their...
During U.S. spacewalk 97, two astronauts will replace a Space-to-Ground antenna on the orbital complex. The antenna is a critical communication system NASA uses...
Key themes include: Characterizing exoplanet-host solar-like stars; Star-planet interactions; Planet populations around solar-like stars. At University of Liège.
On December 16, Arianespace will launch its 2nd mission from Kourou, French Guiana with the legendary, medium-lift Soyuz vehicle. The primary payload for the mission is the Pleiades 1 Earth observation satellite, which was built by EADS Astrium for the French CNES space agency. Pleiades 1 will provide military and civilian users with 50-cm resolution optical satellite imagery at a coverage swath width of 20km. The compact, hexagonally-shaped spacecraft will operate from a 700-km orbit. Four French DGA defense ministry ELISA electronic intelligence demonstrators, and a Chile SSOT Earth observation platform will also be launched on the mission. Both SSOT and the ELISA spacecraft use the Myriade microsatellite platform developed under French CNES leadership, which weighs less than 200 kg and offers low-cost access to space. Soyuz joined the heavy-lift Ariane 5 at the French Guiana spaceport with its successful October 21 launch. The lightweight Vega will complete the Arianespace’s launcher family in 2012. (Image Credit: Arianespace, EADS Astrium)
A newly revamped Cosmodome will launch its brand new virtual space exploration experience on December 15 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The US$10.5M project paid for by the Quebec Government and the Ville de Laval, took nearly 2 years to complete and will feature 3 60-minute interactive space missions geared to be educational and stimulating. Visitors can participate in any of 3 missions of their choice which include reliving the Apollo 11 voyage to the Moon, a perilous journey to Mars and a conquest of our Solar System and beyond. The Cosmodome also includes 17 new engaging modules for visitors and new updates to its existing exhibits. The Cosmodome is recognized as 1 of 5 metropolitan tourism facilities in Greater Montreal and the only museum dedicated to advancing space exploration in Canada. Executive Director Sylvain Belair (TL) hopes to double the attendance in 2012 with a goal of more than 150,000 visitors. Other programs held by the Cosmodome including Space Camp, workshops and various educational and public events. (Image Credit: Cosmodome, spacemart.com)
= All times for terrestrial events in local time unless noted.
= All times for international terrestrial events in local time unless noted.
= All times for space events, and…
= All times for international space / astro events in Hawaii Standard Time unless noted. Add 10 hours to obtain UT (‘Universal Time;’ Greenwich, England).
Dec 12 — International Space Station, LEO: E-30 crew members focus on science experiments, hardware tests and maintenance duties while making preparations for the arrival of 3 more crew members next week.
Dec 12-15 — Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative, United Nations Environment Program, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: ‘1st Eye on Earth Summit.’
Dec 16 — Space Center Houston, Houston TX: ‘Lunch With an Astronaut,’ Leroy Chiao.
