Highlights in Space 2006
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International Astronautical Federation Committee on Space Research International Institute of Space Law 8-10 rue Mario Nikis c/o CNES, 2 place Maurice Quentin 8-10 rue Mario Nikis UNITED NATIONS 75735 Paris, Cedex 15, France 75039 Paris, Cedex 01, France 75735 Paris, Cedex 15, France Tel: +33 1 45 67 42 60 Fax: +33 1 42 73 21 20 Tel: +33 1 44 76 75 10 Fax: +33 1 44 76 74 37 Tel: +33 1 45 67 42 60 Fax: +33 1 42 73 21 20 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS URL: http://www.iafastro.com URL: http://www.cosparhq.cnes.fr URL: http://www.iafastro-iisl.com Highlights in Space 2006 Prepared in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute of Space Law Highlights in Space 2006 in Space Highlights The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and assisting developing countries in using space science and technology. United Nations publication United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs ISBN: 978-92-1-101147-0 Sales No. E.07.I.9 P.O. Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria Tel: (+43-1) 26060-4950, Fax: (+43-1) 26060-5830 ST/SPACE/30 E-mail: [email protected] UNITED NATIONS V.06-59591—January 2007—1,150 Website: www.unoosa.org 06-59591_pi-pii_smcf.qxp 23/01/2007 16:02 Page 1 OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT VIENNA Highlights in Space 2006 Prepared in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute of Space Law Progress in space science, technology and applications, international cooperation and space law UNITED NATIONS New York, 2007 06-59591_pi-pii_smcf.qxp 23/01/2007 16:02 Page 2 UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No.: E.07.I.9 ISBN 978-92-1-101147-0 ST/SPACE/34 This document has not been formally edited. INTRODUCTION This publication has been compiled from reports prepared for the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. It was first published in 1992 as part of the United Nations activities undertaken for the International Space Year, with the objective of making all countries aware of the benefits of sound space activities. The first part of the report on space technology, space applications, international cooperation and space law, was prepared by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and covers the period from 1 November 2005 to 31 October 2006. In addition, the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) provided information for the section on international cooperation and space law. The second part, focusing on space science and recent progress made regarding space research, was prepared by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and covers the period from 1 November 2004 to 31 October 2006. Many international experts from various specialized fields have contributed to the drafting of this comprehensive report. The information contained therein indicates a wide variety of ongoing space activities in national as well as international space programmes. A list of coordinators and contributors can also be found at the end of the report. This publication is available in English only. This 2006 review of latest developments in space science, technology, space applications, international collaboration and space law has the aim to inform a broad worldwide audience of recent advancements in the manifold field of outer space. We hope that “Highlights in Space 2006” can significantly contribute to all the efforts undertaken by the United Nations family, in particular the Office for Outer Space Affairs, in attempting to disseminate information on space activities and on the benefits involved to all nations of the world. -iii- CONTENTS Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... iii PART ONE: HIGHLIGHTS IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS FOR 2006....1 I. Overview .......................................................................................................................1 II. Space transportation ......................................................................................................5 III. Robotic Earth orbital activities....................................................................................12 IV. Humans in Earth orbit .................................................................................................32 V. Space studies and exploration .....................................................................................39 VI. Technology advancement............................................................................................50 VII. Education.....................................................................................................................57 VIII. International cooperation and space law .....................................................................61 IX. Global space market issues and opportunities.............................................................94 PART TWO: PROGRESS IN SPACE RESEARCH 2005-2006....................................................106 I. Space studies of the Earth’s surface, meteorology and climate ................................106 II. Space studies of the Earth-Moon system, planets and small bodies of the Solar System..............................................................................................................115 III. Space studies of the upper atmospheres of the Earth and planets, including reference atmospheres ...............................................................................129 IV. Space plasmas in the Solar System, including planetary magnetospheres................158 V. Research in Astrophysics from space…………........................................................169 VI. Life sciences as related to space................................................................................179 VII. Materials sciences in space........................................................................................187 VIII. Fundamental physics in space ...................................................................................190 IX. Satellite dynamics......................................................................................................191 X. Scientific ballooning..................................................................................................194 XI. Potentially environmentally detrimental activities in space......................................199 XII. Radiation belt environment modelling ......................................................................202 XIII. Space weather............................................................................................................203 XIV. Planetary protection...................................................................................................205 XV. Capacity building ......................................................................................................210 Contributors and coordinators………………………………………… .............................................212 Acronyms, abbreviations and definitions ............................................................................................214 -v- PART ONE HIGHLIGHTS IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS FOR 2006 I. OVERVIEW Space Transportation. The second and final demonstration launch and the first commercial launch of the enhanced Ariane 5 Evolution Cryotechnique Type A (ECA) were both successful, with the vehicle lifting the heaviest commercial payload ever carried to the geostationary orbit, over 8 tonnes. That payload was exceeded by the ECA’s next launch, which orbited 8.2 tonnes. NASA announced major revisions in its next-generation launch infrastructure. Instead of using a Space Shuttle main engine (SSME) for the upper stage, the Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV), now named Ares-1, will employ the same updated J-2X engine that is planned for the heavy-lift cargo launch vehicle, and will use a more powerful 5- segment solid-propellant booster instead of the previously planned 4-segment rocket used on the Shuttle. The cluster of five redesigned space shuttle main engines, originally slated to boost the heavy-lift launch vehicle, named Ares-5, was replaced by the RS-68 engine that boosts the Delta-IV launcher. The first phase of the $8.15-billion contract for development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), now renamed Orion, was awarded to Lockheed Martin on 31 August. The U.S. State of New Mexico announced its intention to create a 5,500 hectare spaceport named Spaceport America, with $225 million worth of funds. The Virgin Galactic (a US company with a UK investor) selected the New Mexico spaceport as its base of operations for 6-passenger space tourist flights. Commercial flying is scheduled to start in 2009, using Scaled Composites-designed SpaceShipTwo vehicles, launched by White Knight Two aircraft, both owned and operated by the Virgin Galactic. The transition to New Mexico will occur as soon as the spaceport is ready, forecast as 2010. Satellite Communications. Successful launch of the second Inmarsat-4 satellite increased coverage by the two Inmarsat-4 spacecraft to 86% of the Earth’s land-mass, permitting Inmarsat (UK) to begin commercial operations of its next-generation