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No. 39 I MARCH I 2018

WHEN WILL WE GET TO ?

INTERVIEW LATEST NEWS : The PAZ EUROPEAN SPACE IS ALREADY IN ORBIT AGENCY (ESA) ASTRONAUT WITH CHANGE comes

ntil recently, when someone talked about any type of , they referred to the Space sector. However, a new concept has emerged –so-called New Space – and I guess we Ucould now define the model known and established more than fifty years ago as traditional (I refuse to call it old). EDITORIAL The term New Space refers to a new global trend with a clearly commercial orientation, one which functions separately from government policies and regulations such as those of the main contractors. To this definition, we could add the adverbs very or highly, together with the adjectives agile, flexible, productive, disruptive and technological.

If New Space is very agile, does that mean the traditional sector is not? If New Space is highly technological or flexible, does it mean traditional industry is not? Not at all. This sector, now called traditional, has been and continues to be innovative although, it’s true, now perhaps to a lesser extent. We cannot forget the trips to the Moon, the 135 Space shuttle flights, the International Space Station, Mars exploration, communications, Earth observation and the many other scientific successes. These achievements are opening up the way to new business models. Indeed, some sectors are tending towards stagnation in that they are trying to extend the life of their products and services, to obtain a greater return on their investments. This situation may be equivalent to if not the same as the so- called “digital disruption” that is forcing changes, often traumatic ones, in a significant number of WINTER industries in a broad spectrum of sectors. Just as in any market, following on from a phase of technological growth and stabilization our sector has begun to look for other vectors for entering new markets, attracting new customers, improving moon existing products and generating new services. Morgan Stanley has estimated that the Space industry will have an economic impact in 2040 of more THIS GORGEOUS COMPOSITE IMAGE SHOWS THIS IT WAS CREATED ON 14 DECEMBER BY AMATEUR than 1.1 quintillion dollars, through products mostly linked to Internet access and connectivity. They DECEMBER 2017’S FULL MOON, ALSO KNOWN AS A PHOTOGRAPHER CLAUS VOGL, FROM FÜRTH, , have even published a list of the 20 companies that they expect will lead this emerging market. ‘COLD MOON’, SEEMING TO HOVER ABOVE A SET OF WHO WRITES: “I SPENT MY VACATION LAST WEEK AT It includes traditional companies in the sector such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and others SATELLITE TRACKING DISHES ON THE CAMPUS OF THE GRAN CANARIA. I SPOTTED THE ESA SITE MANY YEARS linked to the new economy (perhaps no longer so new!) such INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE TECNICA AEROSPACIAL (INTA), AGO AND ALWAYS WAS FASCINATED BY THESE BIG as Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, Qualcomm, United IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE CANARY ISLANDS’ GRAN ANTENNAS FACING INTO SPACE. THE ENTIRE SHOOTING Technologies and Honeywell. THE GLOBAL PROCESS OF CANARIA, AT MONTAÑA BLANCA. WINDOW WAS JUST TWO MINUTES. I SHOT FROM ON TOP OF A LITTLE MOUNTAIN 1.6 KILOMETRES WEST OF THE BIG DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ONE OF THE ANTENNAS – THE 15 M-DIAMETER DISH Given the optimistic estimates and the opportunities ANTENNA, JUST OUTSIDE A VERY LITTLE VILLAGE CALLED SEEN AT LEFT – IS ESA’S MASPALOMAS TRACKING emerging around us, it seems obvious that change is FUELS THESE INCREASINGLY MONTAÑA LA ARENA ON A NARROW DIRT ROAD. THE STATION, WHICH CURRENTLY COMMUNICATES WITH CAMERA EQUIPMENT WAS A CANON EOS 5D MARK 3 WITH irreversible. The question is whether this change will be as NUMEROUS AND RAPID ESA’S CLUSTER, LISA PATHFINDER AND XMM-NEWTON AN EF 70-200/2.8 IS L LENS (EXPOSURE 1.0 SEC/ drastic and immediate as has been stated. If we talk about MISSIONS. CHANGES APERTURE F5.6/ISO 400).” immediacy, I think it’s no longer necessary to take this into consideration as many of the new proposals are already here as real business models. Regarding the strength and firmness of the change, as always happens this will probably not be in the apocalyptic terms that are sometimes announced. In any case, the industry must keep moving in the direction demanded by market forces. We must be able to adapt our organizations, processes, technologies and models in order to access new opportunities in the market. It is certainly a challenge, but not something new for the Space industry. We have done it before and for sure we can do it again. Luis Gómez CEO I think the most important thing to consider is the quantity and speed of the changes we will face ALTER TECHNOLOGY from here on. The global process of digital transformation fuels these increasingly numerous and IberEspacio TÜV NORD Tecnología Aeroespacial rapid changes. This is the real challenge that industry in general is facing and, of course, the Space sector will be no exception. 24 30

EDITORIAL 3 WITH CHANGE COMES OPPORTUNITY LUIS GÓMEZ. CEO ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD

INTERVIEW 6 PEDRO DUQUE

FEATURE 12 38 12 WHEN WILL WE GET TO MARS?

LATEST NEWS 42 SUMMARY 22 • NEW TEDAE PRESIDENT • WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS • NEW SCIENCE DIRECTOR AT ESA • SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF 30W-6 • THE PAZ SATELLITE IS ALREADY IN ORBIT • THE “TWEET” ERROR OF NORISHIGE KANAI • GALILEO SECURITY CENTER MOVES TO MADRID • CANSAT 2018 IN THE AZORES ISLANDS • NEW DIRECTOR FOR INTA

MOMENTS 6 20 30 WE ARE IN MARS

OP-ED 26 38 SPACE, A SPANISH DEFENSE SECTOR WITH GROWING VISIBILITY

NEWS FLASHES 39 INFORMATION ON TEDAE’S SPACE COMPANIES

“WE SHOULD BE PROVIDING THE

RESOURCES TO AVOID A PROBLEM INFORMATION MEDIUM ON WRITING STAFF: EDITORIAL BOARD: LAYOUT: TEDAE’S SPACE COMPANIES: NEXT THAT I INTEND TO HIGHLIGHT, THE ISSUE Silvia Beltrán, Oihana Casas, Marcia Arizaga, Torcuato Ismael Sánchez de la N. 40 I JUNE I 2018 HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF Airbus DS, ALTER Technology, Iñaki Latasa, Francisco Battaglia, Oriol Casas, Blanca (ART DIRECTOR), Rosana ARQUIMEA, Crisa (Airbus DS), Lechón, Araceli Serrano, Mieria Colina, David Manuel Apruzzese, Raquel Arroyo NEXT STOP… THAT COULD CRASH DAS Photonics, Elecnor , Teresa Rojas and Antonio Fernández, Pilar García, Marta and Eduardo Maqueda DEIMOS Imaging, GMV, GTD, Tovar Jimeno, Sara Lanchas, Mar the moon INTO EARTH” Hisdesat, Hispasat, HV Sistemas, López, Carolina López de Quarterly edition - digital and IberEspacio, Indra, SENER, COORDINATOR: César Ramos Egea, Ana Isabel Martínez, printed. Tecnalia, Telespazio Ibérica, Javier Martínez, Sandra Legal deposit ISSN 2254- Thales Alenia Space España and PUBLISHER: Begoña Francoy Mingot, Olga Navasquillo, 9692 TRYO Aerospace Cristina Pérez, Pedro Rodrigo, M-46591-2004

Chiara Solimini, Sergio Printed by Expomark …and also, ALL THE LATEST NEWS OF SPANISH SPACE SECTOR Tabasco, Ignacio Tourné and Victoria Velasco interview

Pedro Duque (March 14, 1963) is that maintained contact between an Aeronautical Engineer from the scientists on the ground and the Polytechnic University of Madrid and crew aboard the Columbia Shuttle. In has been a Member of the Royal August 1996, Duque joined the Class of Academy of Engineering of since Mission Specialists at NASA’s Johnson 1999. During his studies at the University Space Center in Houston, qualifying he worked as an intern on various in April 1998 as a ‘mission specialist’, projects for the Flight Mechanics an indispensable requirement to join a Laboratory. In 1986 he joined GMV and NASA Shuttle mission. the same year was appointed by the company to work in the Precise Orbit He was also the CEO at Deimos Determination Group at the European Imaging, S.L., a company focused on Space Operations Center (ESOC) of making use of the data obtained from the (ESA), in Earth observation . In October Darmstadt (Germany). 2011, Duque returned to ESA and PEDRO resumed his position as an astronaut, He stayed there until 1992, working maintaining his qualifications for a on the development of models and potential new space flight. During this algorithms, as well as in implementing period, he led the Flight Operations programs for determining spacecraft Office, with responsibility for European orbits. In May that year he was selected activities on the International Space to join the ESA’s Astronaut Corps at the Station and is currently responsible European Astronaut Center (EAC), for the control and review of future in Cologne (Germany). From then manned flight projects. DUQUE until July 1993 he completed the Basic Training course at the EAC, as well as In short, the four space flights in another program at the TSPK (the which he has participated makes Pedro EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY Russian Astronaut Training Center) in Duque a specialist in the adaptation of Star City (Russia), in preparation for experiments for carrying them out in (ESA) ASTRONAUT participating in the future cooperation spacecraft, as well as organizing tasks program between ESA and Russia on and procedures both from ground the Space Station. and from space. So, we started the interview with a question about the ISS In August 1993, Pedro Duque returned (International Space Station). We went along to the ESAC facilities century castle (Castillo de Aulencia) to Star City and began training for in Villanueva de la Cañada (about providing a spectacular backdrop for the EUROMIR 94 (ESA-Russia) joint 30 km from Madrid), the center of ESA’s large hi-tech antennas. ESAC mission. In the first phase he qualified as a Scientist-Astronaut for the the European Space Agency (ESA) also houses the scientific archives of and MIR spacecraft. And in May 1994, specializing in Astronomy. It is where ESA’s astronomy and solar system he was selected as a member of the the Scientific Operations Centers missions, which explains its rapid Second Crew (Reserve Crew). (SOC) for astronomy and solar system conversion into a “nerve center” for DURING HIS STUDIES AT THE A year later Duque was chosen to missions are located. It’s a magnificent research and a meeting point for the be a Reserve Scientist-Astronaut for UNIVERSITY HE WORKED natural setting with evergreen scientific community. the Life and Microgravity Spacelab AS AN INTERN ON VARIOUS oaks and the ruins of a nearby 15th (LMS) mission, which flew in June-July 1996 with the NASA STS-78 Shuttle. PROJECTS FOR THE FLIGHT Throughout this 17 day mission, he worked with the coordinating team MECHANICS LABORATORY

6 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 7 interview

THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION IS A think we will continue participating then we need to do tests on a much world power in Space exploration. succeeds will enable them to recover These probes are very important. RESEARCH CENTER LOCATED IN THE EARTH’S with the rest of the partners until closer celestial body (the Moon) However, in Europe, the outlook is their full investment. However, in With the latest data to be received at least 2028. The Station’s output and learn how to solve any emerging very different, and I think they should Europe, if you fail people will no indicating that these other planets ORBIT. ITS MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT is very important for science. Its problems. set higher long-term goals and give longer pay attention to you. There could support life, we must now ARE CARRIED OUT THROUGH INTERNATIONAL contribution is undeniable. more support to the space sector to are brave people in all countries, explore the satellites of the large COOPERATION. THE ISS OPERATION IS The then US Administration become leaders in some large projects. but what we lack is a society that planets in the solar system. But once GUARANTEED UNTIL 2024. decided that the main objective Europe doesn’t have programs in encourages and provides the again, we face the lack of adequate DO ITS RESULTS JUSTIFY THE COSTS WHY HAVEN’T WE RETURNED TO THE of beating the Soviet Union in the some important fields such as space necessary support, so people know funding. Europe could lead that race MOON? AND HOW LONG WILL IT BE had been fulfilled exploration. Plus, our budget is much they will have support to try again. if the right decisions are taken. INVOLVED IN ITS MAINTENANCE AND (with the Moon landings) and they smaller than the US one. For me this phenomenon needs to FUTURE DEVELOPMENT? BEFORE WE GET TO MARS? substantially reduced their budgets, be analyzed urgently because it is making it impossible to return. the basis for future technological YOU HAVE REPEATEDLY STATED THE NEED TO From an engineering point of view, The project operates as a Incidentally, I’d like to mention that WHY DOESN’T EUROPE HAVE A LEADER LIKE development. we cannot skip any logical trial steps. INCREASE RESEARCH ON ASTEROIDS. permanently three Saturn rockets were left ready First, we went to ? WHY DO YOU CONSIDER IT A PRIORITY? manned space to be launched, with the engines The European space industry has “IN EUROPE, THE the Moon, and we station in which prepared for hypothetical launches very few initiatives looking to create AND WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPLICATIONS OUTLOOK IS VERY must remember Indeed, Elon Musk is a great teams of astronauts that never took place. products for exports or taking risks. OF AN STRIKE? DIFFERENT, AND I THINK that a great job is entrepreneur. But another key factor and researchers Public-private collaboration is very THEY SHOULD SET done at the ISS is American culture and society. They from the five scarce and should be much greater. We should be providing the HIGHER LONG-TERM which soon could reward attempts to give it a go, even participating space IN WHAT AREAS DOES EUROPE NEED resources to avoid a problem that I GOALS AND GIVE MORE be continued with though it may lead to failure, and agencies take turns, intend to highlight – the hundreds SUPPORT TO THE SPACE another station TO IMPROVE TO GET CLOSER TO US are well used to trying something and is one of the THIS YEAR, A NEW GENERATION OF TELESCOPES of thousands of asteroids that could SECTOR TO BECOME that will go into SUPREMACY IN THE SPACE SECTOR? over and over again. For them there world’s greatest crash into Earth. This requires two LEADERS IN SOME LARGE lunar orbit. In this is merit in just trying. Failures are WILL BEGIN TO EXPLORE RECENTLY DISCOVERED engineering types of development. One would PROJECTS” way we will be able In the USA, there is a highly seen as mere steps on the ladder to ‘EXOPLANETS’, DO YOU THINK MORE achievements. be to put a specialized telescope to keep advancing transversal agreement, even at state success. Also, there are many people Indeed, its work is PLANETS LIKE EARTH WILL BE FOUND? into an orbit closer to the Sun, the and learning ahead level, that they will always provide the in the US who are willing to invest guaranteed until 2024 and is revised in new ideas. They know only 1 out other a Don Quixote project to divert of going to the Red Planet. Before necessary means to remain the first There are two ESA projects, and at each Ministerial conference. We of 10 will go ahead, but the one that an asteroid if necessary. This is a others from NASA, and many planets project that could be led by Spanish have already been discovered with industry. very uncertain methods. With the new projects, we will find hundreds NASA has studied the largest of thousands of planets although meteorites and catalogued them. we won’t know how to distinguish Almost all of them over 1km in and analyze them well. They will size are being monitored, but there look like Earth, but we will have to are many thousands of smaller obtain radiation from these planets – and by no to analyze them in means harmless depth. However, this “WE SHOULD BE – asteroids close won’t be feasible in PROVIDING THE to Earth that the short to medium RESOURCES TO AVOID are still to be term. We still know A PROBLEM THAT I discovered and very little about INTEND TO HIGHLIGHT, which can cause space. People don’t THE HUNDREDS OF trouble. I believe realize how vast it THOUSANDS OF we cannot stay in is. Even if we were ASTEROIDS THAT COULD the dark when we to increase the CRASH INTO EARTH” have the means maximum speed of to solve it. If a our spacecraft by a 1km asteroid falls, hundredfold it would it could prove to still take many years to reach those be the most important natural planets. We don’t even know how catastrophe that humanity has to go to Mars yet, so we must take ever suffered. Yet we can predict it things step by step. and avoid it. What we need to do is get to it and take it seriously. There are projects related to this issue, DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE MORE but they lack the necessary funds PROBES SUCH AS HUYGENS? because they are not regarded as priorities.

8 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 9 interview

IS SPACE JUNK A PROBLEM TODAY? AT THE END OF FEBRUARY, SPAIN IS GOING TO LAUNCH TWO SATELLITES, ONE RIGHT I think we are in a somewhat dubious AFTER THE OTHER; TWO VERY IMPORTANT legal area, because you don’t get fines for abandoning space junk. Especially MILESTONES WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF in geostationary orbit, we are trying to MANY COMPANIES FROM OUR INDUSTRY. do things well, but technology has its limitations. It is indeed a great milestone and I wish the best of luck to both Hisdesat We don’t know much about how to and HISPASAT with the launches. PAZ get rid of Space junk, but we need to is a radar satellite that reminds me make more effort to remove the bigger of my time at the Earth observation objects. There are several projects project, Deimos, a few years ago. As for underway and I think this is a potentially HISPASAT, it is a project that is already interesting business. Meanwhile, we consolidated. We hope that all the have many ground-based observatories companies involved in the two satellites designed to control flying objects, continue to grow as they have done in measuring their positions and speeds, recent years. and with increasing accuracy. In the A recent tribute to future, we could even have satellites HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF THE observing these objects from space SPACE SECTOR? with powerful radars. Pedro Duque

The laws of physics are not going to On January 29, the Ciudad Lineal district of change radically. We must continue Madrid paid tribute to one of its most illustrious working, but progress has been made neighbors with the unveiling of a sculpture IS THE SPANISH SPACE SECTOR DOING in some materials, such as solar panels, representing the Earth on the Avenida de la WELL? HOW ARE WE PERCEIVED BY OTHER which need less energy than silicon. Institución Libre de Enseñanza, right in front of COUNTRIES? There are constant improvements, the Miguel Blasco Vilatela Public School , where but even so progress is very slow. Pedro Duque studied. From ESA, we can clearly see that That’s because Space involves risks, the technological difficulty is huge, This piece of interactive nature is based on there is great deal of competitiveness the winning model in the “Pedro Duque” School and we don’t have enough economic and that Spain can undertake Contest, produced by the Infanta Elena Public resources. Perhaps, if a new president complicated tasks just like other School of Special Education. 54 students from countries. The problem is that our of the European Commission were to various state schools in the district took part in (financial) contribution is lower, so we be appointed in a few years’ time, with the contest in which they had to build a model for cannot lead the projects. I have also greater initiatives and bigger budgets, the statue, inspired by outer Space or the Solar seen that our companies are very active we could lead some big projects. I System. in looking for business outside Spain. would like to put the European flag on Our image abroad is really good, even any of the planets. Ciudad Lineal wanted to pay its own very special tribute to Pedro Duque, by involving though we went through a major crisis a schools in the district and in doing so helping to few years ago with severe budget cuts. recognize the importance of science. That was a bad time for our industry when it was decided that our work was not a priority. TEXT: Iñaki Latasa PICTURES: Nacho González

10 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 11 feature WHEN WILL WE GET TO MARS?

THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN RENEWED AT A TIME WHEN NEW COUNTRIES, SUCH AS OR , HAVE JOINED THE SPACE RACE, TO RIVAL THE LEADERSHIP OF THE US, RUSSIA Visionaries say we will set foot AND EUROPE WHEN WILL WE GET TO on the Red Planet in less than ten years’ time, thus becoming the first multi planetary species. However, Government agencies are much more conservative and only NASA has set itself the goal of reaching Mars in the 2030s. How much reality is there in these announcements and how much is down to a search for spacecraft, the capsule, for bring them back to our planet. Quite And a landing on Mars will follow.” votes, investment and international the astronauts. By the end of next a challenge, but for the time being it Last December, Donald Trump year both systems should be ready seems there are not enough funds. gave an added twist to the tale by influence? Mars? for a first mission. It will be a three- resurrecting the Republican goal of week unmanned test to send the In any case, engineers and returning to the Moon, this time as spacecraft thousands of kilometers scientists are convinced that from an intermediate step to “eventually beyond the Moon and return to a technical point of view they are reach Mars and beyond.” Earth without a scratch. This will be ready to take on the challenge of followed by a manned mission, one conquering Mars. The main hurdle Europe has also shown interest that will mark a milestone in that it is the enormous budget that will in visiting the Moon. ESA Director AT PRESENT, the Opportunity and followed. All of them predicted astronauts to the Red Planet will take a group of astronauts the needed, which takes us on to the General Jan Wörner has spoken rovers are roaming the mankind would reach the planet in consists of three stages. The furthest distance humans have ever political arena. several about a project to deserted surface of Mars. Several the following 10 to 20 years. first is to take advantage of the traveled from Earth. set up a base there, through a joint probes from different countries International Space Station to test Each occupant of the White initiative open to more partners. are orbiting the planet to study its The challenge has been renewed technologies and study the effects After these initial flights, assuming House aspires to leave his personal He calls it Moon Village, but as yet atmosphere and crust. The data at a time when new countries, such of microgravity on the human body. everything goes according to plan, stamp on the future of the Space has not provided any more concrete and images they send back to Earth as China or India, have joined the by the mid-2030s NASA will be Race, just as John F. Kennedy did details. For the Russian agency are rekindling interest in manned Space Race, to rival the leadership The next step will be to use the looking to send astronauts to orbit when he presented the challenge of , getting to the Moon is exploration of the most Earth of the US, Russia and Europe. Private Moon as an intermediate platform. Mars. And, by the end of the decade, reaching the Moon in the 1960s. In an essential step to travel on to Mars. likeplanet in our solar system. initiatives have also appeared, This will enable them to test the to carry out Man’s first landing on 2004 George W. Bush established It is expected their cosmonauts will achieving considerable successes in ability of a group of people to survive the planet. the goal of the US returning to land there in 2030, pushing back The first scientist to put forward a short time. At the same time, the autonomously in an environment the Moon. It was a decision that the challenge of reaching Mars until a technical plan to reach Mars was appeal of the economic exploitation that -in the case of any problems- is The initial NASA plan included Democrat president Barack Obama later decades. China also has its own the German aerospace engineer of Space continues to grow, as more only a few days from Earth, allowing a further preparatory test, which at first rejected, saying “we’ve been lunar exploration program, which is Wernher von Braun, who became an investors become interested in a rescue operation to be mounted. was finally canceled. The agency there before.” But then he put Space expected to take a taikonaut to the American citizen after World War II. injecting capital. wanted to capture an asteroid, back into the spotlight when he Earth’s satellite by the middle of the He did it in his book , A key element of NASA’s plan is divert it to a safe orbit around the stated “By the mid-2030s, I believe next decade and to establish a base published in 1952. Since then, more In this scenario, the roadmap to develop a powerful launcher, the Earth and then land an astronaut on we can send humans to orbit Mars there. than fifty plans and projects have proposed by NASA to take , and a new its surface to collect samples and and return them safely to Earth.

12 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 13 feature WHEN WILL WE GET TO MARS? VEHICLES ON MARS The six-wheeled and nuclear-powered engine science lab, Curiosity, is the size of a small car and weighs 899 kilograms

SOJOURNER CURIOSITY Pahtfinder Mars science 1997 Laboratoy 2012 OPPORTUNITY Mars exploration 2004

THE NEW “KIDS ON THE BLOCK”

WHILE THESE large agencies he is committed to recycling the For , President and The campaign to recruit volunteers the world. Donations and the sale As this station would have to be push ahead with their plans, systems used. He wants SpaceX founder of , a nonprofit has been a huge success. More than of intellectual property licenses designed to support a scientific private enterprise initiatives are to carry out all its missions with a organization that also promotes 220,000 people are willing to leave would be an additional source of mission, it suggests Lockheed Martin enjoying certain advantages: they single rocket, regardless of whether the , Musk’s everything behind. The organization income. However, the calculations believes that the colonization of a can afford to risk more as they seek the mission is putting a satellite project is “too big and fantastic.” has made a first cut in selecting 660 made by fail to convince planet as hostile as Mars is unlikely, to drastically reduce costs and look into orbit, carrying supplies to the Although, he explains, “it would be people who meet their requirements, most experts. While they appreciate at least for the time being. for ways to do business in Space. International Space Station, or a matter of adjusting magnitudes and the first space settlers will be the innovative component, they just traveling to another planet. He also so that it fits; if you lower the chosen from among them. don’t see it as viable. When it comes to the conquest intends to shake up the passenger objective of your launcher from of Mars, one of the most appealing transport sector here on Earth, transporting 500 tons to 150 tons, According to Mars One, all Meanwhile, American giant projects is that of SpaceX. The enabling any journey between two the project would fall within the technical and logistical aspects Lockheed Martin has launched its AT PRESENT, THE OPPORTUNITY AND company’s renowned President, points to be made in less than an engineering field.” will be provided by other private own idea on how to reduce the costs Elon Musk, has said that in 2022 hour with suborbital flights. “If we companies, such as SpaceX or and risks associated with manned CURIOSITY ROVERS ARE ROAMING they will carry out two unmanned do it this way, we would allocate all Another surprising proposal from Lockheed Martin. They will provide . Instead of a trips to Mars. And that just two resources to this new and unique the private sector comes from the the launcher, the spacecraft and project, the company talks about THE DESERTED SURFACE OF MARS. years later they will be ready to system,” he said last September Dutch non governmental initiative other necessary elements to reach a “vision”, one that they assure is in SEVERAL PROBES FROM DIFFERENT send up several spacecraft with no at the International Astronautical Mars One. They have devised a our neighboring planet. line with NASA’s plans to reach the less than 100 tourists and settlers Congress in Adelaide (Australia). project to head to Mars in 2031 planet. The company is proposing to COUNTRIES ARE ORBITING THE PLANET to build the first ever extraterrestrial with a one-way ticket: those who To finance the initiative, the build a Space station for six people to city. Following this approach, in 40 embark on the adventure will organization is proposing to sell orbit Mars. This would allow several TO STUDY ITS ATMOSPHERE AND to 100 years Mars could be home never return to Earth. This formula, the rights to broadcast the lives of astronauts to land on the planet and His strategy focuses on building to a million people. But for many they explain, will accelerate the the first inhabitants of Mars. The explore it, while the others provide CRUST a powerful launcher called the Big Musk’s idea is more science fiction colonization of the planet. planet would become a set for a support from the station. Falcon Rocket. To reduce costs, than reality. reality show to be seen all around

14 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 15 feature WHEN WILL WE GET TO MARS?

be solved. The most immediate ones Earth from Mars, depending on their NASA has the HI-SEAS (Hawaii de Río Tinto (Huelva) mines, ESA, SHOW ME are related to health, since exposure orbital positions, means a message TRAVEL TO Space Exploration Analog and the Center for Astrobiology (CAB - to high-energy solar particles and would take between 3 and 22 MARS Simulation) facility on the isolated CSIC/INTA) and the Austrian Forum THE MONEY cosmic rays during the trip would put minutes to reach our planet. And the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano of Space, launched in 2011 the first the lives of astronauts at risk. During astronauts would have to wait twice WITHOUT LEAVING on the island of Hawaii. It even European expedition to test the the journey – which would take about that time to receive an answer. In an emulates the 20-minute delay in technology needed to travel to Mars. IN AN INTERVIEW for the money. 200 days – their bodies will also suffer emergency, this would be too long to EARTH communicating a Mars base with Trials were carried out for a week with com portal (part of Time Inc. group) the harmful effects of weightlessness. provide support. ground control. The first expedition the Eurobot rover on the terrain at Rio , Director at Living conditions on board could “settled´´ there in 2013 and the most Tinto, which is similar to the surface (a non-profit research organization cause psychological pathologies, After all these problems have been There are several current recent one in 2016. Six scientists – of Mars. A new space suit was also partially funded by NASA), shared his since the crew will be isolated in a solved, there are the challenges of initiatives here on Earth that three men and three women – were tested, as well as the medical thoughts on the approximate costs of small spacecraft for several months. producing oxygen and fuel from the emulate expeditions to Mars. They isolated there for a year. equipment needed to monitor the a manned mission to Mars, if carried And once they reach Mars, they will available resources, and growing enable the main space agencies astronauts’ health. out in the traditional way, i.e. through have to live underground or in shelters enough food and obtaining water to and organizations interested in Meanwhile, in collaboration with a government project. with little in the way of comforts to survive. exploration to test the ability of the Russian and Chinese agencies, Special mention must be made protect themselves from the strong humans to adapt to the harsh ESA carried out the Mars500 mission here of the experiments carried Lee said “it would cost not radiation. Another equally important conditions of the Red Planet. Among in 2010-2011, with the confinement of out by the Mars Society, a non less than 400,000 million obstacle, especially for colonization them are: six men at the Institute of Biomedical profit association founded in 1998 dollars.” His estimate is “MARS’ To make things even and plans, is the Pathologies (IBMP) of Moscow with the purpose of contributing based on that of going to ENVIRONMENT IS more difficult, they will current obligation not to biologically Confinement of astronauts:for 520 days. A 550 m3 habitat to the progress of exploration and the Moon in the 1960s HUGELY LETHAL TO SEND lack medical support on contaminate worlds that could have both NASA and ESA have carried was set up of consisting of four future human settlements on the which required a 10- the planet. Their stay a life of their own. This is a strict rule out different missions where hermetically sealed interconnected Red Planet. They have a network year program costing PEOPLE OR RAISE A will necessarily last for that will require the sterilizing of all astronauts are isolated in terrestrial modules, and an external module of volunteers around the world and the equivalent of 4% of CHILD THERE” several years, given they material that is sent into Space. That environments that emulate the emulating the conditions on the have launched initiatives such as the US GDP. “If we consider will have to wait for the is difficult to achieve with humans conditions on Mars for long periods of surface. Mars500 has been Mars Desert research station in the that traveling to Mars will be orbital distance between Mars on board – the carriers of large time. The objective is to study human the longest confinement experiment Utah desert. Since 2001 it has been much more complex, we will have to and Earth to reduce, something that numbers of microorganisms – and reactions in long term confinements, simulating Martian conditions to educating students, researchers and multiply this figure by two or three, so happens every two years and two incompatible with tourism. with a crew of a few people living in date. The experiment has helped the general public about techniques we are talking about a trillion dollars months, before they can return home. small spaces, such as the spacecraft achieve progress in telemedicine, for human survival on the Red Planet. investment over 25 years.” Taking into during the 200 day journey to Mars. psychological support and Another is the FMARS research account that NASA’s entire budget is Aside from the health issues, there Then, when they reach Mars, of remote communication protocols center in the Arctic, where different around 19,000 million dollars, it’s clear are the technical ones. Engineers are living in bases of about 10 meters (emulating, as in the case of HI-SEAS, crews carry out a continuous program that to reach Mars the US Congress still working on the best way to land in diameter by six meters high, when the delay of about 20 minutes that is for geological, microbiological and will have to seriously increase the on Mars. As the planet has a much you can only go outside for a short typical of communications between climate exploration in a remote, cold agency’s funds, which seems unlikely higher gravity than the Moon, this will time and then dressed in a space suit. Earth and Mars). and dangerous environment. In doing to happen at present.” hinder the descent and braking of a so they face many restrictions similar spacecraft carrying a large payload, Other missions are aimed to those that will be encountered All of this is in terms of government as will be the case with a manned at testing rover vehicles on Mars. Also, there is the ‘Rover funds for the missions, because mission. or space suits. In Challenge Series’ competitions, and the investment capability of private Spain, at the Minas other informative programs. companies remains to be seen. Will Mars´ atmosphere is too they find a new way of coping with thin to glide in on the descent the huge cost of space exploration? – that would require far too Will they manage to turn the tide and large wings. And it doesn’t make Space activity profitable? provide much confidence for a parachute system either. As for colonizing the planet, the Jet propulsion could be an Director of the Mars Institute considers option, but the weight of CURIOSITY it a distant possibility. He regards the the spacecraft would have Approximately the size of a small SUV, NASA’s Curiosity rover is model followed in the exploration of to increase to allow for well equipped for a tour of Gale Crater on Mars. This impressive Antarctica as being more realistic, the additional fuel vehicle has six wheel drive and the ability to turn full 360 where a group of researchers lives carried. degrees, as well as the agility to climb steep hills. During a main there for a few years at a base and is mission of almost two years after landing on Mars, the explorer then replaced. “Mars’ environment is Another difficulty will investigate whether Gale Crater has ever offered favorable hugely lethal to send people or raise will be communications conditions for microbial life, including chemical ingredients for life. a child there.” with Earth. The NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the distance of 55 Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, manages the It’s certain that a trip to this to 401 million Project for NASA’s Science Mission inhospitable planet entails a list of kilometers Directorate, in . dangers and challenges that are yet to that separates

16 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 17 feature WHEN WILL WE GET TO MARS? 40 - MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY CURIOSITY November 26, 2011. Mission to Gale Crater 1, 2 - MARS 1M N.º 1 / MARS 1M N.º 2 0ctober 10 / 0ctober 14, 1960 39 - -GRUNT Both destroyed during launch November 8, 2011 Stranded in Earth orbit 3, 4, 5, 8 - MARS 2MV-4 N.º 1 / / MARS 2MV-3 N.º 1 / 38 - 0ctober 24 / November 1 / November 4, 1962 / November 30, 1964 MARS EXPLORATION August 4, 2007 Broke up in Earth orbit / Radio failure en route / Stranded in Earth orbit / Radio failure en route Landed, dug fo water 37 - MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER 6, 7 - / FAMILY PORTRAIT August 12, 2005 November 5 / November 28, 1964 Orbiting Mars failed to open / First flyby and picture return 9, 10 - MARINER 6 / MARINER 7 35, 36 - MARS EXPLORATION ROVERS February 25 / March 27, 1969 AND OPPORTUNITY Both flew by, returned pictures June 10 / July 7, 2003 Both landed on surface. Opportunity still in 11, 12 - MARS 1969 A / MARS 1969 B operation March 27 / April 2, 1969 Both destroyed during launch 34 - / 13, 17 - / June 2, 2003 Phoenix May 8 / May 30, 1971 Orbiting Mars, Beagle lost after separation Spirit and Destroyed during launch / First probe to orbit Mars Opportunity 33 - MARS ODYSSEY 14, 15, 16 - COSMOS 419 / / March 7, 2001 and 2 Curiosity May 10 / May 19 / May 28, 1971 Orbiting Mars Failed in Earth orbit / Lander crashed / Lander failed 32 - 18, 19, 20, 21 - / / / January 3, 1999 July 21 / July 25 / August 5 / August 9, 1973 Crashed on surface Missed planet / Orbited planet / Lander failed (6 and 7) 31 - December 11, 1998 22, 23 - VIKING 1 / Crashed due to imperial / metric unit mixup August 20 / September 9, 1975 Image credits: Both landed on surface, returned data NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, Exchange3D.com 30 - July 4, 1998 24, 25 - / Additional research sources: Missed planet July 7 / July 12, 1988 Space.com, RussianSpaceWeb.com Lost communication en route / Lost communication near Phobos Dates indicated are for lanch. 29 - 26 - Only dedicated Mars missions December 4, 1996 September 25, 1992 are listed. Landed on surface, deployed Lost communication near Mars Sojourner rover 28 - Adapted by TEDAE November 16, 1996 27 - Destroyed dring launch November 7, 1996 Orbited and returned data © NASA

No matter what happened to them, the plant and possibly primitive animal which passed Mars in a gravitational THE HELP OF information collected on these missions life. Spain had a presence in the assistance maneuver, Spain’s Space enables us to keep dreaming of pushing SPAIN earliest missions to Mars, firstly industry has been participating in manned exploration of Space. through the deep space ground ESA Mars missions and in some ROBOTS stations that NASA installed at NASA and Roscosmos ones: Mars With each passing day, the experience AND MARS Robledo de Chavela near Madrid. Science Laboratory (NASA) in 2011, and technical knowledge gained from Later Spanish scientists contributed Phobos Grunt (Roscosmos) in 2011, all these robotic exploration missions is to pioneer Soviet missions such as and Exomars (ESA-Roscosmos) in MANY OF THE hurdles to traveling to increasing the chances of successfully SPAIN HAS shown interest in Phobos I and II and the Russian Mars 2016. Exomars 2020, which involves Mars are linked to the fragility of us human sending humans to another planet. Mars exploration since the beginning 96, as part of ESA’s participation. a broad section of Spanish industry, beings. This has pushed the agencies to These probes and vehicles are paving the of international research. Back in Spanish industry, universities and will put the spotlight on the first make use of robots. But while there have way for humans to one day achieve their 1956, a news item in NODO, “The research institutions have helped Raman spectrometer to go to Mars, been many successes, the fact is that of dream of colonizing Mars. Planet Mars”, echoed the few data develop some of the scientific a project being developed in Spain 46 attempts to send probes, landers and shared by scientists on this planet, instruments used. From the time under the leadership of INTA. vehicles to Mars, only 19 missions were which was then believed to harbor of the mission, in 2004, completely successful, while six of them achieved partial success and 21 failed.

18 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 19 feature WHEN WILL WE GET TO MARS?

“THE FIRST PERSON TO TRAVEL TO MARS HAS ALREADY BEEN BORN”

INTERVIEW with Hector Guerrero, from the Sub Mars started in 2007, when he was chosen to lead the Directorate General of Space Systems at the National Spanish consortium for the development of scientific- Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), a leading technological instruments for the Mars MetNet specialist on the Red Planet. He has led teams in Precursor mission. He is now an active promoter of Mars optoelectronic, magnetic and radiation technologies for exploration developing sensors and Space systems. His links with

QUESTION: Q: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST Q: WHAT COULD BE THE NEXT Q: WITH THE EMERGENCE OF WHY MARS? OBSTACLE TO A MANNED MANNED MISSION TO SPACE? NEW SPACE, SHOULD WE TAKE MISSION REACHING MARS? FOR GRANTED THAT PLANETARY ANSWER: Generally speaking, to A: Until the 2020s, the next understand the solar system and missions are already agreed and EXPLORATION GENERATES A: The lack of leadership. We need the Earth, but there are three main they are all robotic. The next ones political will. We will not be able to ECONOMIC RETURNS FOR THE Q: WHAT WILL BE EUROPE’S PART IN reasons: First, Mars gives us clues will be ‘sample return’ missions, to go to Mars until the United States about an atmosphere that is fading. bring Mars samples back to Earth, COMPANIES DRIVING IT? OR ALL THIS? and Russia come to an agreement. Second, to learn about the origins of such as those from the NASA 2020 SHOULD SPACE EXPLORATION BE In the past, the Moon landing was A: As of today, Europe doesn’t have life on Earth, because they may have rover, which will leave the samples the result of competition between ALTRUISTIC? the capability to lead a manned mission. derived from rocks that came from collected in special containers for a these two countries during the Cold It will be invited as a guest in any NASA Mars; and third, because exploration is later mission to recover them. Then War. Right now, we are seeing the A: Any attempt by humankind to or Roscosmos mission. For the time the essence of the human spirit – we humans will go beyond lunar orbit, emergence of private companies explore a new territory has always being, ESA is not planning any manned have to go to Mars because we can. for example to an asteroid, perhaps entering the space sector, creating involved making money, and space missions. to fly over it and return, as Frank competition that could is no different. Earth orbiting has Mars awakens interest as a portal, to Borman, James Lovell and reactivate the Space brought direct benefit in the form of develop technology that will allow “MARS AWAKENS William Anders did in the race. And there are technological development, mainly in us to go further, as well as to check INTEREST AS A PORTAL, TO Apollo 8 mission in 1968, interesting private communications, Earth observation Q: WHAT SHOULD THE FIRST CREW the effects of planetary exploration DEVELOP TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL when they orbited the initiatives heading for and positioning systems. Certainly, TO TRAVEL TO MARS LOOK LIKE? on the human body. Also, as a field ALLOW US TO GO FURTHER, AS WELL Moon. First, we will have Mars. When China space exploration responds to a of mineral resources exploitation, AS TO CHECK THE EFFECTS OF to fly past Mars and gets to the Moon, it’s deeper interest, to expand the borders A: In my opinion, it should be in compliance with international PLANETARY EXPLORATION ON return. These are prior very likely the great of humankind and, in this sense, it is made up of engineers and scientists, and regulated by the THE HUMAN BODY” steps to landing on Mars. powers will resume altruistic exploration. Mars will be the some of them with military training. United Nations. The robotic missions I believe the first person their interest in the Space last frontier for many years. But we Perhaps a communications engineer, that are being sent to Mars are of who will go to Mars has already Race. Similarly, other nations must go to Mars, because we have a mechanical-robotic engineer, a a scientific nature, but they are been born. Perhaps humans will like India and the UAE have also set the technology to make it happen and physicist, a geologist, a biologist and a beginning to show a technological reach Mars in 2030 or 2040. their sights on Mars. exploration is imperative in the human doctor. Both men and women. bias towards testing new species. developments, for example in the field of communications. And Mars Oihana Casas involves international cooperation. and Antonio Tovar

20 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 21 latest news

who studied at the ICAI School of ODICEO-EVERIS and is a partner in Engineering in Madrid and the École venture capital company UNINVEST Centrale de Paris, his career has been which specializes in the management NEW SCIENCE New closely linked to the technological of technology transfer funds. He Successful launch of sectors integrated in TEDAE, as well is also Secretary General of the TEDAE president as to the fields of business, technology Spanish Confederation of Reciprocal DIRECTOR and entrepreneurship. Guarantee Societies (SGR-CESGAR), Hispasat 30W-6 Vice-Dean of ICAI (having been an AT ESA Previously CEO of shipbuilder associate professor at the School Jaime de Rábago became the new NAVANTIA, he was responsible of Engineering for more than 20 President of TEDAE at the beginning for promoting the Observatory for years), and Vice-president of the ESA has appointed Günter of the year. An industrial engineer Technological Entrepreneurship Industrialization Commission at the Hasinger as Director of Science Spanish Engineering Institute. at the Space Agency, a role he will carry out along with that of TEDAE’s Board of Directors thanked Director of the European Space outgoing president Adolfo Menendez Astronomy Center, (ESAC), which for the great work he had performed at is based in the town of Villanueva the Association, helping to consolidate de la Cañada in the province of a more operational model in the Madrid. face of the new challenges that the Defense, Aeronautics, Security and Hasinger replaces astrophysicist Space industrial sectors are having to Alvaro Gimenez, who had been in address. They also congratulated the charge of ESA’s scientific program new one, convinced that he will lead and the ESAC since 2011. the Association into this new era with enthusiasm and success. Like his predecessor, the new Director is an astrophysicist “JAIME DE RÁBAGO BECAME THE and leading researcher. He was NEW PRESIDENT OF TEDAE AT THE previously head of the University BEGINNING OF THE YEAR” of Hawaii Institute of Astronomy.

WORKSHOPS Launch of Hispasat 30W-6 from for teachers Cape Canaveral

ESA is organizing its summer and The new HISPASAT commu- audiovisual content in Latin America, fall Workshops for Teachers, which nications satellite, launched on a allowing access to more than 50 will take place from July 10 to 13, SpaceX rocket from Cape million users through its audiovisual 2018, and from October 4 to 7, 2018, Canaveral, is already in space. distribution platforms, and will offer in Leiden (Netherlands), near the connectivity in high speed trains and ESA’s European Space Research and The Hispasat 30W-6, which will maritime services in the Caribbean Technology Center (ESTEC). be located in the 30º West orbital and the Mediterranean. position, will provide a wide range Participants will receive training Günter of telecommunications services to The Hispasat 30W-6 is the fourth and attend talks on how to include Europe, America and North Africa. satellite of the HISPASAT fleet built space in their lessons to make science Hasinger The beams in Ka band on the by Space Systems Loral, based on and technology more enjoyable for (Science, Technology, Engineering and who have not participated in previous Spanish and Moroccan territory will its 1300 platform, and has had the DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE AT students. The content will be the Mathematics) disciplines at school. workshops organized by ESA. allow providing quality access to the participation of Spanish companies same in both sessions and will be THE SPACE AGENCY Internet in rural areas, thus favoring for the manufacture of several organized around three main themes The workshops are open to primary The deadline for registration is March access to information technologies components and the development –Space exploration, Earth observation and secondary school teachers of 21 at 09:00 CET in those places where this is not of the ground segment: Thales Alenia and technology–, with the workshop STEM-related subjects who reside and possible with other infrastructures. Space Spain, Airbus D&S Spain,

demonstrating how Space can be work in any ESA Member or Associate FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: [email protected] In addition, the Hispasat 30W-6 TRYO Aeroespace, DAS Photonics, applied to the curricula of STEM State. Priority will be given to teachers will reinforce the distribution of Iberespacio, GMV and Indra.

22 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 23 latest news

The PAZ satellite PAZ PLACES THE IS ALREADY IN ORBIT SPANISH SPACE INDUSTRY AT THE TECHNOLOGY

The countdown that preceded the will provide the Ministry of Defense with companies, with Crisa (Airbus Defence FOREFRONT launch of the Paz satellite on February applications for citizen protection and to and Space), HV Systems, Iberespacio, 22 was followed with great expectation respond from space to the needs of the Indra, NTE (currently integrated in the both from the Vandenberg Air Force Armed Forces regarding border control, SENER group) and TRYO Aerospace, Base, in California, and from INTA’s intelligence, verification of international among them. center in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid. treaties or military operations. It will From the moment the satellite could also have multiple civil applications be seen starting its journey to orbit, such as environmental control, spill Several all those present, both here and detection, high resolution cartography there, burst into prolonged applause or urban planning, among others. As postponements celebrating success. And with good part of the National Earth Observation The satellite reason: Spain had just entered the select Program (PNOTS) launched in 2007 The launch was initially scheduled group of countries with autonomous by the Ministry of Defense, along with for 2015 and the Russian rocket DNPER Paz will be able to provide about 100 Earth observation capability with radar the Ministry of Economy, Industry and was chosen by Hisdesat to put it into images a day with up to 25cm resolution, technology. Competitiveness, the Paz satellite will orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome both day and night, regardless of weather be completed with a second optical in Kazakhstan. However, the conflict conditions. It will cover an area of over The Minister of Defense, Mª Dolores satellite, Ingenio, in the initial two year between Ukraine and the Russian 300,000 kilometers per day and is ready to de Cospedal, described the day as mission. Federation first caused to change the circle Earth fifteen times a day, at a height “historic for our security and our launch base of Yasni and subsequently of 514 kilometers and a speed of seven defense, but also for our space research, For the Spanish space industry, PAZ paralyzed the launch program, delaying kilometers per second. our business fabric and, ultimately, for also means a decisive step, since it was the project. all Spaniards.” Little more than an hour the first time that our companies took With a weight of about 1400 kg, 5 later, Hisdesat –owner and operator on the challenge of building a satellite Hisdesat decided to contract the meters in height and 2.4m in diameter, Paz of the Paz satellite– reported that the of that size and complexity. A great launch to SpaceX, a company owned integrates an advanced synthetic aperture satellite was “in perfect health and in example of industry cooperation by Elon Musk, whose Falcon radar operating in X-band, the planned orbit.” that has allowed consolidating 9 rocket fulfilled all the with 300 MHz bandwidth the Spanish leadership in the requirements to launch and maximum capacity The joy and happy faces of those space sector as a builder, a satellite with the for taking images of 420 attending the launch were more integrator and operator FIRST SPANISH characteristics of Paz. seconds per orbit. This radar than understandable. After several of satellites of great SATELLITE WITH RADAR So, finally, on December allows the antenna to be postponements due to technical and complexity. TECHNOLOGY 28, the Paz satellite electronically pointed and meteorological issues, the launch had departed for California, provides an average response been finally carried out successfully. The government satellite aboard an adapted time –since the order to take But the joy was basically due to the services operator Hisdesat, Antonov aircraft, along a specific image is sent until fact that the Paz satellite undoubtedly owner of Paz, commissioned with the Hisdesat and Airbus it is sent to one of the control is a milestone for Spain, from different Airbus Defence & Space Spain the equipment that would perform the centers– of 24 hours. perspectives and for different satellite design and manufacture. The latest checks at the SpaceX facilities reasons. For the company carried out this work with the until launch. country, because it collaboration of a team of people from the National Institute of Aerospace Techniques (INTA), the Polytechnic Universities of Catalonia, Madrid and Alcala de Henares, and more than 15 The Paz satellite departed for Vandenberg Air Force Base (California) aboard an adapted Antonov aircraft from Volga Dnepr Airlines, along with the Hisdesat and Airbus equipment that performed the latest checks at the SpaceX facilities.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE...

24 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 25 latest news

... continued from previous page The PAZ satellite IS ALREADY IN ORBIT A tweet from Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai went far beyond the usual “space circuits” and left THE “TWEET” the world amazed. Kanai, 41, who Two secondary payloads had been living on the International Space Station since December, ERROR The satellite also has a vessel Automatic The other secondary payload on board Paz announced on Twitter that he had Identification System (AIS) receiver is a radio occultation and heavy precipitation grown no less than 9 centimeters in OF NORISHIGE KANAI developed by ExactEarth, a (ROHP) experiment, led by the Institute height in that time. In his revelation Canadian company in which of Space Studies of the Higher Council the astronaut –who measured 1.80 Hisdesat is the main THE SATELLITE WILL for Scientific Research, IEE-CSIC, and meters when he left Earth, well tissue modifies in conditions of shareholder, to report on MEET THE NEEDS FOR with the cooperation of the Nasa Jet above average for a Japanese man weightlessness. Our spine consists global maritime traffic. Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the –sounded surprised and worried, not only of vertebrae, which are This will allow to have the DEFENSE AND SECURITY, AS National Oceanic and Atmospheric wondering “whether I’ll fit in the bone tissue, but also intervertebral best possible monitoring WELL AS OTHER CIVILIAN Administration (NOAA). It will allow Soyuz (spacecraft) seat when I go discs of cartilage tissue. This is very of this environment, given NEEDS seeing how GPS signals are hidden back.” The next day Kanai rectified flexible and susceptible to change, that, for the first time, AIS when passing through the atmosphere, Mª Dolores de Cospedal described the the news, visibly relieved, after his unlike bones that remain unaltered and SAR (Synthetic Aperture analyzing the changes that occur due to the launch of the Paz satellite as a milestone captain considered the growth in conditions of weightlessness. Radar) data can be combined different atmospheric elements in the signal for security, defense and research in Spain. quoted had been too much. With the simultaneously. received, and detecting and quantifying absence of gravity, it is normal for “When the load on the spine intense precipitation. the spine to stretch in is reduced tens of Space, but between two “WHETHER I’LL FIT IN THE times in conditions of and five centimeters SOYUZ (SPACECRAFT) SEAT weightlessness the on average. When the WHEN I GO BACK” cartilaginous tissue of SAR constellation measurement was the intervertebral discs repeated, it turned out lengthens, which leads Ten minutes after taking off on board a the acquisition capacity, which provides Kanai had grown only to an increase in the Falcon 9 rocket, the satellite started the substantial improvements in several two centimeters. length of the body.” journey alone towards its operational orbit applications. Hisdesat and Airbus will jointly at 514 km altitude. market this new configuration. This change in height in Space But once astronauts return to was explained by Russian doctor Earth, they all recover their original An hour later, Hisdesat confirmed that The Launch and Early Operations Vladimir Joroshev to the press stature, he added. “telemetry had already been received and (LEOP) carried out by the project team agency RIA Nóvosti. “The cartilage telecommands had been sent from INTA’s from the GSOC Control Center in Munich B.F. station in Torrejon. Next, the satellite will be were completed on Monday 26. From this placed in its final position in orbit and together moment, the control of the PAZ operation with the German satellites TerraSAR X and was transferred to INTA’s Monitoring Station TanDEM X it will form a constellation of next in Torrejon. This first phase has shown The Minister of Defense, the generation radar satellites.” that the satellite is operating perfectly, Secretary of State for Defense and the Secretary General for Industry and SMEs although critical operations will still be applauding after the launch. In fact, the three satellites will work carried out during in orbit validation phase together to form a constellation of very (Commissioning Phase). The mission high resolution SAR satellites, considerably success will be definitive when the satellite reducing the revisit time and increasing is put into orbit in a few months (IOA).

The ground segment

The Institute for Aerospace Technology, With a significant role as part of the INTA, is responsible for the satellite ground mission, the ground segment consists of segment; that is, the monitoring, tracking and three locations: the CEIT (INTA’s Space collection of data. In its development, they Center in Torrejon), the CESAEROB (a Center have cooperated with a Spanish industrial for Defense Users) and the Maspalomas group headed by INDRA, including GMV, Support Station (Canary Islands). DEIMOS and the German DLR. F. L., A. S. y B. F.

26 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 27 latest news

the country as it reinforces the level conditions in an area that minimizes GALILEO SECURITY of contribution and the positioning the levels of telecommunications of our country, our Space community interference and electromagnetic and Space industry in this important fields. CANSAT 2018 CENTER satellite navigation program. The potential synergies with the IN THE AZORES ISLANDS MOVES TO MADRID The Galileo Security Monitoring Loyola de Palacio GNSS Service Center (GSMC) is a critical part of Center (GSC), based at the main campus of INTA, in Torrejon de Ardoz, up to six high school students, aged also worked in favor of the GSMC between 14 and 19, and a teacher or transfer to Madrid. This Center is tutor. As in a real space program, the the sole interface with Galileo’s user teams are commissioned to develop communities. their own ‘mini-satellite’ projects

Caption: The first inter-ministerial meeting where the (the CanSat) and send progress road map for the GSMC to be fully operational by March 2019 was studied. The European satellite navigation reports to ESA experts, who will offer system already has 22 satellites in advice and evaluate the ability of their orbit – out of a planned total of 26 CanSats for launching. During this and a further four for in-orbit backup. phase, they will launch and operate A number of Spanish companies their CanSats, analyzing the data have contributed to its design, The CanSat 2018 European (Finland, Norway and Sweden hold a collected and presenting the results development and operations. Competition will be held on Santa joint competition), Portugal, Poland, to a jury that will be awarding first, Maria Island in the Portuguese the , the Czech second and third prizes. For further The Galileo System consists archipelago of the Azores and Republic and Romania, plus a team information, please contact cansat@ of a satellite constellation that is organized by the country’s Regional from Hungary that will be selected esa.int expected to be fully operational by Fund for Science and Technology directly by ESA. 2020. Its ground infrastructure will (FRCT). At the last CanSat, 2017, a group provide positioning information with The European CanSat of Spanish students from the Burgo- unprecedented accuracy for many The campaign will take place from Competition is one of many ESA Ignacio Echeverria Secondary civil applications, including vehicle June 28 to July 1, 2018 with eighteen initiatives to help young people Education Institute in Las Rozas (near navigators; mobile phones; sea, air, teams participating. They will be improve their skills in the STEM Madrid) won a prize for creating a rail and road transport. It will also the winners of the national CanSat (Science, Technology, Engineering satellite the size of a can of soda, offer an extremely precise time competitions in Germany, Belgium, and Mathematics) disciplines and which they named “La Burgoneta synchronization service, aimed at Denmark, Spain, Greece, Ireland, , inspire them to pursue careers in Espacial.” the banking, financial and insurance the Netherlands, the Nordic countries these fields. Each team consists of systems, as well as to the mobile B.F. communications sector and power transmission networks. Air Force Lieutenant General The Galileo system will benefit a Jaime Salom Piqueres has taken NEW DIRECTOR number of economic sectors, with over from Lieutenant General applications designed to protect Ignacio Azqueta as head of the FOR INTA the environment, to generate tools National Institute for Aerospace for precision agriculture and for Technology (INTA), an organization managing the components of Smart which comes under the jurisdiction Cospedal pointed out that “the Cities. of the Ministry of Defense. Speaking Institute sees its competencies, at the ceremony to celebrate him areas of activity and capabilities Galileo’s infrastructure, which has taking office, Defense Minister greatly enlarged, making it today the already been providing initial services Maria Dolores de Cospedal stressed great technological center for the since December 2016, is expected to there are two words to define the Ministry of Defense which has been The forthcoming Brexit the system’s ground infrastructure, make a decisive contribution to the new Director: professionalism and entrusted with the important task will lead to the relocation of the acting as a backup center to the main satellite navigation applications and commitment. “His appointment is of researching and testing Space, Galileo Security Monitoring Center one which is located on the outskirts services market, one which according very exciting, as he will contribute aeronautics, land and sea systems.” headquarters, currently based at of Paris. to the European GNSS Agency (GSA) with his knowledge and effort Swanwick, south of London, to estimates could be worth €135 billion Jaime Salom to increase the prestige of this Lieutenant General Salom, who San Martin de la Vega in Madrid The GSMC, which must be fully by 2025. Piqueres organization in the field of research. moved from being Head of Air province. Spain was chosen as the operational by March 2019, will I think he is the best professional Combat Command (MACOM), new host nation in competition with be relocated on the campus of La AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT in the Armed Forces to take over previously worked for INTA as General seven other Member States of the Marañosa. Run by INTA, this complex GENERAL from Lieutenant General Ignacio Sub director of Coordination and . It is great news for offers highly favorable security Azqueta.” Planning for three years. T. B. y B. F. B.F.

28 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 29 moments

WE ARE IN MARS

Since the beginning of this century we have a permanent presence on Mars. The off-road vehicles that are on the surface and the spacecraft that are orbiting the planet allow us knowing the Martian environment in detail by providing essential information to prepare the future of human exploration.

Through its participation in the NASA Mars Science Laboratory missions, the future InSight and missions, and the Mars Express and ExoMars missions of the European Space Agency, Spain is a major player in developing technologies and obtaining the scientific knowledge necessary for this task.

Text: M. López

ABOUT THE IMAGE:

ANALYZING THE SURFACE

This image taken by the Opportunity rover in January 2016 shows the tool turret located at the end of its robotic arm. At the time the Opportunity was at the western edge of the Endeavor crater.

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

30 31 moments

ABOUT THE IMAGE:

SNOWY DUNES

This image taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in May 2017 shows the patterns that appear in spring when the carbonic ice covering the dunes during the winter cracks, letting out gas with sand in suspension.

Credits: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona moments

ABOUT THE IMAGE:

THE NORTH POLE

A view of the ice cap at the north pole of Mars. This view is created with images taken by the ESA Mars Express spacecraft using data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter aboard the NASA Mars Global Surveyor mission.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin; NASA MGS MOLA Science Team moments

ABOUT THE IMAGE:

SELF-PORTRAIT

The image shows the Curiosity rover. The Rover Environmental Monitoring Stations (REMS) can be seen on the mast. REMS is one of the Spanish contributions to the Mars Science Laboratory project, which also includes the antenna that allows the Curiosity to communicate with Earth.

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS op-ed news flashes

Deimos Imaging’s new partnerships result in a unique virtual portfolio Deimos Imaging announced partnerships SPACE, with key stakeholders in the geospatial industry such as E-Geos, Beijing Space View Technology and SI Imaging Services, to broaden its products a Spanish defense sector with and services offer. Deimos Imaging’s virtual portfolio has now been expanded to 33 Earth growing visibility Observation satellites, including both optical and radar, with a great variety of different resolutions and for a wide range of valuable monitoring, change detection and precision Fernando insights applications. This document identifies the features of present and ALEJANDRE MARTÍNEZ future operating environments for the Armed Forces, na- CHIEF OF THE DEFENSE STAFF (JEMAD), mely: uncertainty and adaptability, diffuse boundaries Agreement between HISPASAT and Eurona Delivery of the New Jupiter2 between war and peace, the widespread and permanent ARMY GENERAL presence of a civilian population, and the importance of for the reduction of the digital divide in Spain Control Centre (CDC) technology. HISPASAT and the telecommunications company “A tous de DDO: Attention pour le décompte final, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, Eurona have reached an agreement to promote 4, 3, 2, 1, TOP”: these words said by the Launch Range Manager at Within this framework, Space systems will be vital for satellite broadband in Spain. They offer a high capacity Guiana Space Centre, culminated three years of work. Armed Forces’ operations in the most developed coun- technological solution based on the Ka band of the new tries, thanks to their observation, surveillance and in- Hispasat 30W 6 satellite. The objective is to universalize For each Ariane, Soyouz or Vega launcher, the CDC is activated formation gathering capabilities. And, because they are Internet access, especially in areas where there is no to coordinate the final chronology. The status of all range systems, critical infrastructure, they will be potential targets in connectivity, or it is of poor quality, giving its inhabitants launcher, spacecraft, safety, security and weather forecast has to be the case of conflict. the opportunities offered by the Information Society. “green” in order to enter the final sequence.

Given this scenario, Spain continues to take important steps in Space. A good example is the recent launch of Paz, the first national observation satellite. In addition to being an important surveillance asset for the Ministry of Defense - covering an area of 300,000 km2 and provi- ding some 200 images per day - it is also an example of public-private collaboration, providing our nation with technological capabilities and professional qualifica- tions that enable us to keep up with our allies.

We also need to highlight the importance of having secure satellite government communications, which are essential for obtaining intelligence, navigation and deployment in operations, and for offering strategic au- tonomy and freedom of action. The Ministry of Defense is already working on a program to replace our and Xtar-Eur satellites, whose useful life will end around 2021, with new generation satellites. Airbus returns to Mars once again

When I took up my post, one of my objectives was to Airbus Spain will once again be the prime look for innovative solutions in the definition and de- contractor for the high-gain antenna that will velopment of future capabilities, to always be prepared go on board the robotic exploration vehicle The commitment of Spain and its Armed Forces to for new challenges and threats. Space fits with these that NASA will launch in 2020 to study Mars. global security can clearly be seen in its so-called Em- goals and is enjoying preferential attention given its This is the second directional antenna built by ployment of the Armed Forces Concept: one that esta- ever growing importance for the defense of Spain and Airbus, with the support of the CDTI, for a NASA blishes the operational framework, the way to carry out its citizens. rover. The first antenna was installed in the missions and the general characteristics that military Curiosity rover, connecting to Earth, sending forces need in their operations. It also underpins the data and receiving telecommands needed for defense planning process in fostering an appropriate, the vehicle’s daily operations. practical and acceptable design.

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GMV applies geospatial science Thales Alenia Space in Spain makes its way Photonic Demonstrator on Hispasat Elecnor Deimos to provide its flight dynamics system fly4EO to Brazil to the benefit of agricultural development in Africa into the launchers segment 30W-6 at launch base Elecnor Deimos flight dynamics determination and decommissioning system, fly4EO, has been selected by capabilities for the first fully Brazilian GMV coordinates the project H2020 AfriCultuReS (Enhancing Thales Alenia Space in Spain has signed a contract SSL and Hispasat worked together to include the National Institute of Space Research Earth Observation satellite, Amazonia-1. Food Security in AFRIcan AgriCULTUral Systems with the Support with ArianeGroup to design, develop, qualify and key developments on Hispasat 30W-6, a satellite of Brazil (INPE) for its Satellite Tracking fly4EO is part of the suite of ground of REmote Sensing) which aims to design, implement and manufacture the telemetry transmitter of the which carries a photonics demonstration & Control Centre. The system will segment products gs4EO, currently operationally validate an integrated system for monitoring, analysis new European launcher Ariane 6. After decades of developed by DAS Photonics. It is aimed at provide manoeuvre planning, including employed in Deimos-2 and other ESA of scenarios and early warning, as a tool for making decisions in activity in the space sector, the company expands testing and proving the value of using photonics the launch and early-orbit phase, orbit and governmental missions. the field of the assurance of food production in Africa, where a high its comprehensive product portfolio in Spain in in spacecraft applications. This technology, is, percentage of the population suffers severe food shortages. the field of space communications with a new soon expected to reduce the satellite´s total generation equipment adapted to very demanding mass and enhance payload performance. The customer requirements. photonics receiver replaces traditional microwave components with optical, solid-state components that enable greater flexibility and throughput.

Explorer. Operating in P band, the TRYO Aerospace, supplier of Biomass’ mission will study the evolution of reception subsystem the biomass and carbon rates in the forests. TRYO Aerospace equipment TRYO Aerospace has signed a with similar capabilities are flying contract with Airbus Defence and on Galileo satellites, and are in Space for the supply of the synthetic production phase for ’s aperture radar reception subsystem Third Generation. on board Biomass, ESA’s 7th Earth

MARES training model at NASA’s Johnson Space Center INDRA is extending Galileo’s ground segment SENER has installed a training model of the scientific instrument Indra will implement four new Up-Link Stations (ULS) MARES (Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System) at the Space that will strengthen Galileo’s ground segment and Vehicle Mock-Up Facility in the Johnson Space Center, NASA’s center they will prepare it to take control of the 30-satellite for manned space activities, located in Houston, Texas (USA). With this constellation, once its deployment is completed in 2020. facility, the world’s three main space agencies, ESA, Roscosmos and These stations will be added to the ten Up-Link Stations Telespazio Iberica continues NASA, all have MARES training models for on-land training of astronauts that Indra has already put into operation and to the other before flying to the ISS, where the definitive system is installed. six that the company is developing at this time. to support the EU’s external action Telespazio Iberica, as a member of the consortium awarded the SEA contract by © Ltd 2016 SatCen, within the , continues to provide operational services to collaborate with the EU’s external action. REACT qualified for flight for its integration into the satellite The objective of this project is to support, flight model. This shipment will be through the generation of geospatial The new generation of followed in April by the flight units products, the EU in its mission to promote ARQUIMEA’s HDRAs (REACT) of a complete HDRM for SITAEL stable conditions of development, uphold actuators is now ready to be used μEXSAT satellite. democracy and defend fundamental rights in flight. After validation of outside its own borders. the E-SAIL satellite in the structural tests, the first units qualified for flight and assembled in the new clean room of ARQUIMEA will be sent to LUXSPACE in March

40 MAGAZINE PROESPACIO No. 39 41 news flashes NEXT Eighteen AIS satellites in service exactEarth, a company partially owned by Hisdesat, ISSUE announces the availability of exactView RT powered by Harris, the fastest and most complete offer of AIS data services in the maritime market, with 18 satellites in N. 40 I JUNE I 2018 service, reducing latency ratios to one minute. With the successful launch of the last ten Iridum NEXT satellites, its revolutionary real time service provides a global and constant coverage, opening new application possibilities to have a worldwide vision of the maritime environment.

Key electronics in PAZ Small launchers for Europe NEXT For the PAZ satellite, CRISA developed the Instrument TECNALIA participates in the SMILE project whose objective is to Control Unit, the 12 control units for radiofrequency increase critical technologies (TRL), developing prototypes of the STOP… transmission and reception modules, and 2 control units launcher’s components such as engines, structures and avionics. for calibration and redundancy. Together these units We are talking about an innovative launcher design for small, receive requests from Earth to take images, process them low cost satellites and the development of facilities for its launch and command the 384 radar modules in real time to from Norway. Through this initiative, Europe will be provided with take the images required by users, whatever the weather technological capacity to launch small satellites without having to conditions, day and night. rely on large launchers such as Ariane 5 or VEGA. the moon

PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) ALTER TECHNOLOGY has been procurement and testing, selected as Coordinated Parts including evaluation and Procurement Agent (CPPA) characterization of components for the payload of the PLATO not previously used in space. project of the European Space Agency (ESA). PLATO will aim to study a large number of extrasolar The CPPA will develop planets, particularly those with engineering tasks, technical properties similar to Earth. advice for component selection, …and also, ©ESA – C. Carreau ALL THE LATEST NEWS OF SPANISH SPACE SECTOR

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WHEN WILL WE WE WILL WHEN GET TO TO GET ? Mars

LATEST NEWS LATEST INTERVIEW The PAZ satellite PAZ The DUQUE: PEDRO IS ALREADY IN ORBIT IN ALREADY IS SPACE EUROPEAN AGENCY (ESA) (ESA) AGENCY ASTRONAUT