Space Science Image of the Week: The 3D distribution of the most massive stars in our Galactic neighbourhood, based on the latest data from ESA’s Gaia mission
Author: jappe
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Galactic mesh
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Aeolus teams ready for space
The teams responsible for flying the Aeolus satellite completed a pre-launch ‘dress rehearsal’ at ESA’s ESOC operations centre in Darmstadt today, the last major step in getting ready for next Tuesday’s liftoff.
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Happy Birthday, Mr. Kranz!
Wishing legendary NASA flight director Gene Kranz the happiest of birthdays!
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Watch Aeolus launch
Follow the launch of Aeolus live from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 21 August. Streaming begins at 20:45 GMT (22:45 CEST), with liftoff at 21:20 GMT (23:20 CEST) -
Sun's Magnetic Field Portrayed
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) scientists used their computer models to generate a view of the Sun’s magnetic field on August 10, 2018. The bright active region right at the central area of the Sun clearly shows a concentration of field lines, as well as the small active region at the Sun’s right edge.
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[Weather information technology] SOLWIN starts trial operation at Tottori Airpor
August 17, 2018
SOLWIN starts trial operation at Tottori Airpor
The trial operation of the Sodar-based Low-level Wind Information (SOLWIN) system has started at Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport (Tottori Airport) for one year from August 1, 2018. SOLWIN was jointly developed by Sonic Corporation and JAXA through JAXA’s Open Laboratory Scheme. Prior to conducting trial operations, JAXA made a presentation of SOLWIN at the grand opening event of the Tottori Airport on July 28, 2018.
The SOLWIN can provide wind advisories to pilots and airline operators regardless of weather conditions by observing winds up to 90 meters above the device using the Doppler Sodar (sonic waves). Through trial operations conducted at Oita Airport in FY 2017, SOLWIN was highly evaluated by pilots both in terms of its observation accuracy and effectiveness of information provision. In addition, the report compiled by the Association of Air Transport Engineering and Research also determined that the SOLWIN is effective to reduce the impact of low-level winds for safer aircraft operation.
For practical implementation, we need to evaluate the SOLWIN at various airports which suffer strong winds and/or snow. As winds from the Japan Sea blow into Tottori Airport, where snow falls in winter, we are expecting to collect more data for the SOLWIN operation in a harsher environment. We are also under negotiations with airports in other regions. By incorporating more data from various weather conditions, we aim to make SOLWIN more sophisticated and practical system.
SOLWIN installed at Tottori Airport
In the SOLWIN presentation booth (at Tottori Airport)
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Listening out for Aeolus
Operations image of the week: The newest member of ESA’s network of ground stations, a 4.5 m-diameter antenna in Australia, is primed and ready to hear Aeolus’ first words -
Commanding from space
Technology image of the week: This Friday, ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst will be commanding this humanoid robot from orbit, and you can watch the test live -
Farther, together
Human and robotic exploration image of the week: The International Space Station launches CubeSats into orbit -
Aeolus in launch tower
ESA’s Aeolus wind satellite is poised for liftoff from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This latest Earth Explorer satellite has been at the launch site since early July being readied for its ride into space on 21 August at 21:20 GMT (23:20 CEST).
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Mendocino Complex Fire Shrouds California in Smoke
The largest fire in California’s history, the Mendocino Complex, is still spewing clouds of smoke across the state.
