Asteroid to miss Earth in 2036, but could be on collision course in 2068 Oct 9, 2009
The bad news is that the improved orbit determination for Apophis has revealed a new impact possibility in 2068. The new estimates are based on an extensive set of observations obtained at Mauna Kea Observatories and analyzed by Tholen, former UH postdoctoral researcher Dr Fabrizio Bernardi, and current UH graduate students Marco Micheli and Garrett Elliott. (India Times, India)
NASA falling short of asteroid-detection goals Aug 14, 2009
The Arecibo Observatory telescope continues to play a unique role in characterization of NEOs, providing unmatched precision and accuracy in orbit determination and insight into size, shape, surface structure, multiplicity, and other physical properties for objects within its declination coverage and detection range. The United States is the only country that currently has an operating survey/detection program for discovering near-Earth objects; Canada and Germany are both building spacecraft... (CNN)
Naval Research Laboratory's ANDE-2 deployed from Space Shuttle Endeavour Aug 6, 2009
The first objective is to monitor the total atmospheric density along the orbit for improved orbit determination of resident space objects ... ANDE-2 data will be used to improve methods for the precision orbit determination of space objects and to calibrate the Space Fence, a radar space surveillance system belonging to the Air Force 20th Space Control Squadron, a principal resource for tracking low-Earth orbiting space satellites. (EurekAlert!)
Herschel And Planck Flight Dynamics: It Really Is Rocket Science May 14, 2009
The Flight Dynamics team can, in this case, reuse some of the orbit determination models that were previously developed for ESA's Mars Express and Venus Express, since Herschel and Planck initially leave the Earth on a trajectory similar to the interplanetary trajectories followed by the earlier deep-space missions. Once the orbits have been determined, flight dynamics are then responsible for generating the manoeuvre calculations - essentially a set of numbers describing the time and direction... (Science Daily)
NRL's ANDE-2 to launch aboard STS-127 May 12, 2009
The first objective is to monitor the total atmospheric density along the orbit for improved orbit determination of resident space objects ... ANDE-2 data will be used to improve methods for the precision orbit determination of space objects and to calibrate the Space Fence, a radar space surveillance system belonging to the Air Force 20th Space Control Squadron, a principal resource for tracking low-Earth orbiting space satellites ... A joint effort between the Space Science Division and the... (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Europe Launches First Earth Explorer Mission Goce Mar 18, 2009
The precise geoid map will enable better orbit determination for satellites monitoring the ice sheet and thus increased measurement accuracy. For geophysics, combining GOCE s results with magnetism, topography and seismology data will help produce detailed 3D mapping of density variations in the Earth s crust and upper mantle. (Science Daily)
Tandem Mission Brings Ocean Currents Into Sharper Focus Feb 17, 2009
"Once it reaches its position on the opposite side of Earth from OSTM/Jason-2," Shirtliffe continues, "it will make the same trip back up to put at the same altitude as OSTM/Jason-2, 1336 kilometers (830 miles). "We will be testing with precise orbit determination systems to be sure it is exactly where it should be," he says. "Our sea surface height measurement depends on precise location. Once we've boosted up to our operational orbit we'll turn on the altimeter, check the other instruments,... (Science Daily)
