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Showing posts with the label NASA

The James Webb Space Telescope

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The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) will be a large infrared telescope with a 6.5-meter primary mirror. The telescope will be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana in 2021.  The Webb telescope will be the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It will study every phase in the history of our Universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang, to the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth, to the evolution of our own Solar System. The Webb telescope was formerly known as the "Next Generation Space Telescope" (NGST); it was renamed in September 2002 after a former NASA administrator, James Webb. Webb is an international collaboration between NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, is managing the development effort. T...

Hubble Space Telescope Fast Facts

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The Hubble Space Telescope explores the universe from Earth orbit. This vantage point allows it to obtain a view of cosmic objects unobstructed by Earth's atmosphere, which can distort light and block certain wavelengths.   NASA named Hubble after American astronomer Edwin P. Hubble (1889–1953). Hubble confirmed an "expanding" universe, which provided the foundation for the Big Bang theory. Mission Launch: April 24, 1990, from Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31) Deployment: April 25, 1990 First Image: May 20, 1990: Star cluster NGC 3532 Servicing Mission 1 (STS-61): December 1993 Servicing Mission 2 (STS-82): February 1997 Servicing Mission 3A (STS-103): December 1999 Servicing Mission 3B (STS-109): February 2002 Servicing Mission 4 (STS-125): May 2009 Size Length: 43.5 feet (13.3 m) Weight (at launch): about 24,000 pounds (10,800 kg) Weight (post-SM4): about 27,000 pounds (12,200 kg) Diameter (at widest point): 14 feet (4.3 m) Spaceflight Stati...

The Hubble Space Telescope, NASA

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Named in honor of the trailblazing astronomer Edwin Hubble, the Hubble Space Telescope is a large, space-based observatory, which has revolutionized astronomy since its launch and deployment by the space shuttle Discovery in 1990. Far above rain clouds, light pollution, and atmospheric distortions, Hubble has a crystal-clear view of the universe. Scientists have used Hubble to observe some of the most distant stars and galaxies yet seen, as well as the planets in our solar system. Hubble’s capabilities have grown immensely in its over 30 years of operation. This is because new, cutting-edge scientific instruments have been added to the telescope over the course of five astronaut servicing missions. By replacing and upgrading aging parts, these servicing missions have greatly extended the telescope’s lifetime. Telescopes have a particular range of light that they can detect. Hubble’s domain extends from the ultraviolet through the visible (which our eyes see) and into the near-infrared....

PSLV-C52/EOS-04 Mission

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India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C52 injected Earth Observation Satellite EOS-04, into an intended sun synchronous polar orbit of 529 km altitude at 06:17 hours IST on February 14, 2022 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota. PSLV lifted off at 05:59 hours IST from the first launch pad at SHAR. This was the 80th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota; 54th flight of PSLV; and the 23rd flight of PSLV in XL configuration (6 strap-on motors). The satellite EOS-04 is realised at U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. It is a Radar Imaging Satellite designed to provide high quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as Agriculture, Forestry & Plantations, Soil Moisture & Hydrology and Flood mapping. Weighing about 1710 kg, it generates 2280 W power and has a mission life of 10 years.  The vehicle also placed two small satellites a student satellite (INSPIREsat-1) from Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST...

Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) and How does it help in navigation

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Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS), operational name Navigation with Indian constellation (NavIC), is an indigenously developed autonomous regional satellite navigation system that provides accurate real-time positioning and timing services. It covers India and a region extending 1500 km around it, with plans for future expansion. It is expected to have on accuracy better than 20m.  Needs for IRNSS :  •In its absence, India had to depend on satellite systems of other countries rendering it vulnerable especially in the case of hostile situations.  •The immediate reason to start building indigenous navigation capabilities was the Kargil War in 1999, when USA denied India access to vital satellite based information.  •With India becoming only the sixth country in the world to have its own navigation system, it is going to improve its standing in the comity of nations.  •Allowing the neighbouring countries to access the system, India is also proje...

India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme

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Space station is also called orbital station. It orbits around Earth. Basically, it is a large spacecraft or man-made station in space, a home where astronauts live. It also receive several space crafts from the Earth. It is a kind of science lab, many countries worked together to build it and also, work together to use it. Recently ISRO chief said ‘We are planning to have a separate space station. We will not be a part of ISS. Our space station is going to be very small’.  India’s plan to have its own space station  •The Indian space station will be much smaller (mass of 20 tonnes) than the International Space Station and will be used for carrying out micro gravity experiments (not for space tourism).  •Preliminary plan for the space station is to accommodate astronauts for upto 20 days in space, and the project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan mission.  •It will orbit the Earth at an altitude of around 400km.  •ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is...