| |
W4DPH > SAT 13.07.03 12:59l 39 Lines 1686 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-194.05
Read: GUEST
Subj: MOST Launches
Path: DB0ZKA<DB0KFB<DB0GAP<DB0FSG<DK0MNL<DB0ABZ<DB0EAM<DB0SMG<DB0RES<OK0PPL<
RZ6HXA<HA3PG<WB0TAX<W4DPH
Sent: 030713/1049Z @:W4DPH.#TPA.FL.USA.NOAM #:63919 [CLW] FBB $:ANS-194.05
From: W4DPH@W4DPH.#TPA.FL.USA.NOAM
To : SAT@AMSAT
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 194.05 From AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD. July 13, 2003
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-194.05
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) today confirmed the successful launch
of its first space telescope from launch facilities in northern Russia.
Called MOST (Microvariability & Oscillations of STars), the telescope
was launched at 10:15 AM EDT, and released into orbit at 11:46 AM EDT.
MOST is packed in a microsatellite the size and mass of a suitcase,
thanks to innovative Canadian technology. Despite its modest
dimensions, MOST will make some specialized astronomical observations
beyond the capacity of any other instrument on Earth or in space. MOST
is designed to probe the interior of stars, set a limit on the age of
the Universe, and for the first time, detect light reflected by little
known planets beyond our Solar System.
The MOST satellite was built by the University of Toronto Institute for
Aerospace Studies, while the telescope itself was designed and built
by the University of British Columbia, with support from Toronto's
CRESTech and Spectral Applied Research. Dynacon Enterprises is the
prime contractor, which built the power system and developed the
satellite's pointing system, whose new, miniaturized reaction wheels
are what make it possible to put such a powerful instrument in such a
small package.
Once in orbit 820 km above the Earth's surface, MOST will circle the
Earth once every 100 minutes, at a speed of about 27,000 km per hour,
passing over ground stations in Toronto and Vancouver several times a day.
[ANS thanks Canadian Space Agency for the above information.]
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
