On 4th October 1957 the world's first artificial satellite was launched into orbit. Circling the globe every 90 minutes, Sputnik transmitted a signal to the world listening below, and the echoes of that signal are still being felt. Fifty years on the world relies on satellites in ways that are not always recognised – broadcasting, navigation, communications, surveillance and astronomy would no longer be the same without space. And that doesn't even touch on the major public perception of space, which is of astronauts risking their lives. The Society will be organising a variety of events around this anniversary which are publicised here..
Behind the blaze of publicity that will surround the Sputnik
half centenary, there will be a number of major milestones this year. In the UK,
the most significant event will be the launch of the first of the new generation
UK military communications satellite Skynet 5 procured under a Private Finance
Initiative (PFI) arrangement and built by Astrium Satellites based in Stevenage.
When launched in March, Skynet 5 will provide a much needed increase to the secure communications available to the Ministry of Defence in support of British forces across the globe. With a number of technologically advanced payload elements, the satellite will in many ways be the world’s most advanced in terms of flexible secure communications services. The PFI procurement approach means that MoD pays only when services begin. The PFI prime contractor is Paradigm Secure Communications (a subsidiary of EADS) and, besides Astrium Satellites, major subcontractors include LogicaCMG for much of the ground infrastructure (especially those parts that relate to telecommunications services) and Serco for operations.
Later in 2007, two major European elements of the
International Space Station (ISS) will be launched. The Columbus attached
module will be the most comprehensive and flexible laboratory unit on the ISS,
and will support scientific research in space for years to come. The Automated
Transfer Vehicle (ATV) is a 20 ton giant that will transport cargo to the ISS.
The scientific community will look forward with anticipation
to the launch of the European Space Agency's Herschel (image, right) and Planck
satellites in the summer. Both are aimed at delivering world class astronomy in
the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum they address – long wavelength
infrared in the case of Herschel with its enormous 3.5 metre diameter mirror
(said to be the largest space telescope to date) and microwave radiation between
30GHz and 875GHz in the case of Planck. The astronomy phenomena these two
satellites will open to new discoveries include the formation of stars and the
aftermath of the big bang.
Pat Norris
Chairman, RAeS Space Group
pat.norris@logica.com
07 February 2007
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2006