9.20.2004
Space probes feel cosmic tug of bizarre forces
EducationGuardian.co.uk | Higher | Space probes feel cosmic tug of bizarre forces: "Something strange is tugging at America's oldest spacecraft. As the Pioneer 10 and 11 probes head towards distant stars, scientists have discovered that the craft - launched more than 30 years ago - appear to be in the grip of a mysterious force that is holding them back as they sweep out of the solar system.
Some researchers say unseen 'dark matter' may permeate the universe and that this is affecting the Pioneers' passage. Others say flaws in our understanding of the laws of gravity best explain the crafts' wayward behaviour.
As a result, scientists are to press a European Space Agency (Esa) meeting, called Cosmic Visions, in Paris this week for backing for a mission that would follow the Pioneers and pinpoint the cause of their erratic movements."
Some researchers say unseen 'dark matter' may permeate the universe and that this is affecting the Pioneers' passage. Others say flaws in our understanding of the laws of gravity best explain the crafts' wayward behaviour.
As a result, scientists are to press a European Space Agency (Esa) meeting, called Cosmic Visions, in Paris this week for backing for a mission that would follow the Pioneers and pinpoint the cause of their erratic movements."
9.17.2004
Space's largest window is built
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Space's largest window is built: "The largest window built for use in space has been completed, promising to give astronauts a spectacular view from the International Space Station.
The 80cm-wide window is one of seven fitted to an observation dome called Cupola, which will be attached to the ISS in January 2009.
Cupola has six trapezoid-shaped side windows around the large, circular one."
The 80cm-wide window is one of seven fitted to an observation dome called Cupola, which will be attached to the ISS in January 2009.
Cupola has six trapezoid-shaped side windows around the large, circular one."
9.06.2004
Pilots will help bring Genesis capsule to soft landing
HoustonChronicle.com - Pilots will help bring Genesis capsule to soft landing: "In a harrowing feat high over the Utah desert Wednesday, two helicopter stunt pilots will try to snatch a floating space capsule that holds 'a piece of the sun' and bring it safely down.
Their biggest fear: What if they flub it on live TV? And that's entirely possible. The pilots rate it 8 or 9 on a difficulty scale of 10. 'It's like flying in formation with a giant floating jellyfish,' says pilot Dan Rudert.
The stuntmen will be trying to hook the 400-pound Genesis capsule as it hurtles 400 feet a minute. Inside it are fragile solar wind particles -- so small they're invisible -- which scientists hope will reveal clues about the origin of our solar system."
Their biggest fear: What if they flub it on live TV? And that's entirely possible. The pilots rate it 8 or 9 on a difficulty scale of 10. 'It's like flying in formation with a giant floating jellyfish,' says pilot Dan Rudert.
The stuntmen will be trying to hook the 400-pound Genesis capsule as it hurtles 400 feet a minute. Inside it are fragile solar wind particles -- so small they're invisible -- which scientists hope will reveal clues about the origin of our solar system."
News
News: "Hurricane Frances did more damage to the Kennedy Space Center than any other storm in history, tearing an estimated 1,000 exterior panels from a giant building where space vehicles are assembled, officials said Monday.
No space shuttles were inside the 525-foot-high building, a familiar landmark at the space center. But center director James Kennedy said he feared the damage could set back NASA's effort to resume shuttle launches next spring.
Monday marked the first time anyone from NASA had seen the damage from the storm because the agency completely evacuated the space center - the first time NASA made such a move.
The holes left by the missing panels created 40,000 square feet of ``open window'' on two sides of the building, Kennedy said. Each panel measures 4 feet by 10 feet.
Kennedy said it was too soon to provide a dollar figure for all the damage. Hurricane Charley three weeks earlier caused $700,000 worth of damage, and this will be ``significantly more,'' he noted.
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No space shuttles were inside the 525-foot-high building, a familiar landmark at the space center. But center director James Kennedy said he feared the damage could set back NASA's effort to resume shuttle launches next spring.
Monday marked the first time anyone from NASA had seen the damage from the storm because the agency completely evacuated the space center - the first time NASA made such a move.
The holes left by the missing panels created 40,000 square feet of ``open window'' on two sides of the building, Kennedy said. Each panel measures 4 feet by 10 feet.
Kennedy said it was too soon to provide a dollar figure for all the damage. Hurricane Charley three weeks earlier caused $700,000 worth of damage, and this will be ``significantly more,'' he noted.
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