ESA Bulletin 136 (November 2008)
The November 2008 issue of the Bulletin, ESA’s flagship magazine, features ESA astronaut Frank De Winne on the cover. De Winne is the next European astronaut to fly to the International Space Station for a six-month mission in May 2009. Read online
This issue also sports a fresh ‘new look’, taking into account the results of various studies and reader surveys carried out last year, and retuned to appeal not only to informed readers with an interest in space, but also to a wider public audience.
The content retains the same, high-quality in-depth articles explaining the achievements and discoveries, but now also focuses on the human aspects of space, the ‘behind-the-scenes’ personalities and the benefits to European citizens, and looks ahead to future challenges for Europe in spaceflight and exploration.
In this issue, we look at the amazing mission of Ulysses and report on two recent major European successes in manned spaceflight, the installation of Columbus on the ISS and the flight of ATV Jules Verne. We have an update on the GlobCover project that has produced a unique depiction of the face of our planet, with many uses including studying ecosystems and modelling climate change impacts. We pay tribute to Jan Stiernstedt, the Swedish champion for space who sadly passed away this year.
The Bulletin is published four times a year to inform the space-interested public of ESA’s activities. In addition to a wide range of articles, every issue provides an overview of the status of ESA's major space projects.
Contents
THE EPIC VOYAGE OF ULYSSES
Richard Marsden and Nigel Angold
A LIFE IN SPACE
Jan Stiernstedt, 1925-2008
Kerstin Fredga
‘HAPPY CHICKENS FROM FRESH EGGS’
Innovative technologies for mission operations
Alessandro Donati and Alexander Baumgartner
GLOBCOVER
The most detailed portrait of Earth
Olivier Arino et al
ESA’S ‘REAL ESTATE’ IN SPACE
Columbus in orbit
Martin Zell and Jon Weems
JULES VERNE’S JOURNEY FROM EARTH TO THE ISS
ESA’s first space ferry
John Ellwood et al