The International Space Station

The International space station. A beautiful, spectacular and a fantasy of many sci-fi fans that came to life. The International space station cost 150 billion pounds and currently orbits in low Earth Orbit. It was announced by Ronald Reagan in 1998 in order to improve relations between the Russian government and the US. It started with two modules, from America and Russia docking, which some said was the bonds between these once sworn enemies being strengthened.

Soon the world joined in, Japan added a research module called Kibo. Russia and the US added 12 more modules and the final being constructed in 2010 to be used as an observatory.

The International Space Station has been manned for 13 years becoming the longest continuous prescence of Humans in space. It currently houses 6 crew members. The latest commander is Koichi Wakata the first Japanese commander of the ISS and again marks the strengthening of bonds between two once sworn
enemies.

The ISS is being funded until 2024 but will be functional until 2028 before being deorbited.

That's it for today, a long post, I hope you enjoyed and remember to vote on the poll on which subject to do next!

Picture- The ISS

A 150 billion pounds project which brought the sci-fi
ideas of a space station to fruition!

Sputnik

So I haven't posted in a while and I think it's about time that I do again. So what is Sputnik? Sputnik is the first man made object ever sent to space. This kicked off the space race between Russia and the USA but that is for another day. Sputnik as you saw on the picture is a Russian satellite. It had a metal ball and then 4 radio antenna's protruding out of it. Launched in 1957 this "cute" satellite was only 58 cm (22 inches) in diameter. It was used to broadcast from space as amateur and professional broadcasters listening in from across the world. The signals lasted for 22 days before it burnt up in re-entry after 3 months in low earth elliptical orbit.

A picture of Sputnik in orbit

The probe was launched by a general rocket propulsion system before being detached, as said before, in low Earth orbit.

So that's it for today, I will post the picture of the day. The satellite topic is nearly over, I'd say about four or five satellites (possibly more) I will also put a poll up for people to pick what topic next. There will be three options- The space race, Apollo missions or Particles in space ( if particles wins make sure to check the particle series I did previously. So I will post tomorrow and remember to comment on any mistakes or suggestions.

Picture-Another clue!

The Christmas bauble of space!
Not really, its just a
clue to the next
post

The James Webb Telescope

The James Webb telescope (named after the former NASA administrator) is a space telescope to be launched in 2018. It will replace the Hubble telescope.

The James Webb telescope has cutting edge technology equipped and a space dock to hold shipments of supplies or astronauts. It mainly uses infrared and with this technology it will be able to see forming stars look into the early universe. At the moment, NASA in running the project but other companies such as the
European space agency are also contributing. It was announced in 2008 and when launched, will be operated by huge numbers of astronomers.

That is it for today. Remember to check out the Youtube channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/videogamethemetunes

Picture-Space debris

A concern for many Astronomers and Environmentalists

Hubble telescope

Now the Hubble telescope is a brilliant telescope that has provided the most beautiful pictures, including the picture on the home page.  It was launched into low orbit by a space shuttle in 1990, however it was supposed to be launched in 1983 but could not find enough funding and there were some technology malfunctions. It will be in service until 2018 where the James Webb telescope will replace it.

The Hubble space telescope

The Hubble telescope has been fundamental to Astrophysics like helping Astronomers to work out the universe is expanding and more recently, dark energy. Its light spectrum goes from near Infrared to visible to near ultraviolet. During its lifetime, it has had many parts fixed, replaced and added. It had also had many small spacecrafts dock at it as well. Overall, it has cost a whopping 2.5 billion dollars to build and maintain. It is the second most expensive object to be put in space, the first being the international space station which  costs a huge amount of 150 billion dollars!

Well this is it for today. I hope you enjoyed it and check back tomorrow. Also check out the Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/videogamethemetunes