ESA Bulletin 141 (February 2010)

CryoSat-2 carries sophisticated technologies to measure changes in the vast ice sheets that cover Greenland and Antarctica, and sea ice floating in the polar oceans. By accurately measuring thickness change in both types of ice, CryoSat-2 will help us to understand better the role that ice plays in the Earth system.

Also in this issue of ESA's flagship magazine, we look at the European-built Node-3, the last of the three International Space Station Nodes, launched into space this week on the US Space Shuttle. This story features a timeline of events for the Node-3 installation mission.

Node-3 is the most modern pressurised element of the ISS, significantly different to the Node-3 that Europe initially agreed to develop back in 1997. It has evolved over the years from a connecting module into a complex element, able to accommodate sophisticated crew- and life-support equipment. One of the new features is the Cupola observation module.

In December, ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray observatory celebrated its 10th anniversary. During its decade of operation, this remarkable space observatory has supplied new data for every aspect of astronomy. From our cosmic backyard to the further reaches of the Universe, this article describes how XMM-Newton has changed the way we think of space.

Completing this issue, we have the Matroshka project - helping to quantify radiation risk and make space travel safer for astronauts, a look at the role of space in meeting Europe's security needs, and we round off with a colourful look at ESA's new visual identity.

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.