http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/space_time/satellites/ Satellites. Read science articles on every type of satellite, from the new infrared satellite to micro-satellites. Free satellite pictures too. en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:05:01 EST Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/space_time/satellites/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118165143.htm Scientists have long struggled to detect the dim dwarf galaxies that orbit our own galaxy. So it came as a surprise on Jan. 18 when a team of astronomers using Keck II telescope's adaptive optics has announced the discovery of a dwarf galaxy halfway across the universe. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:51:51 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118165143.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223091449.htm Every year for Christmas, the North American Air Defense Command NORAD posts an animation on their website, in which the exact flight path of Santa Claus' sled led by reindeer Rudolf is precisely located. By analyzing observational data, the GFZ scientists were able to determine the orbit of satellites, which are flying at an altitude of 23222 km, for the first time to a few decimeters. Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223091449.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129183126.htm After spending more than 240 days "sailing" around Earth, NASA's NanoSail-D -- a nanosatellite that deployed NASA's first-ever solar sail in low-Earth orbit -- has successfully completed its Earth orbiting mission. Launched to space Nov. 19, 2010 as a payload on NASA's FASTSAT, a small satellite, NanoSail-D's sail deployed on Jan. 20. The flight phase of the mission successfully demonstrated a deorbit capability that could potentially be used to bring down decommissioned satellites and space debris by re-entering and totally burning up in Earth's atmosphere. The team continues to analyze the orbital data to determine how future satellites can use this new technology. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:31:31 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129183126.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020025606.htm NASA has released a series of new satellite data visualizations that show tens of millions of fires detected worldwide from space since 2002. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020025606.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111018092155.htm Researchers have revealed for the first time the existence of a new signature of the birth of the first stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way. More than 12 billion years ago, the intense ultraviolet light from these stars dispersed the gas of our Galaxy's nearest companions, virtually putting a halt to their ability to form stars and consigning them to a dim future. Now astronomers have explained why some galaxies were killed off, while stars continued to form in more distant objects. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111018092155.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110923102539.htm The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) is headed toward Earth, but it hasn't been easy to precisely determine the path and pace of UARS because space itself changes over time -- in response to incoming energy and particles from the sun. Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110923102539.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920133215.htm Encapsulated into the nose cone of an Orbital Sciences Corporation Minotaur-IV+ launch vehicle, TacSat-4 is scheduled to launch from the Alaska Aerospace Corporation's Kodiak Launch Complex into a highly elliptical orbit, providing multiple combatant commanders around the globe an additional outlet for data transmission and communications on the move. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920133215.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110829153413.htm Satellite views of the Midwestern United States show that ozone levels above 50 parts per billion along the ground could reduce soybean yields by at least 10 percent, costing more than $1 billion in lost crop production, according to scientists. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:34:34 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110829153413.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817122124.htm NASA's groundbreaking Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) will reach a key milestone in September when the International Space Station (ISS) robots transfer the module to its permanent home on space station's ExPRESS Logistics Carrier-4. Robotic operations for the technology demonstration are currently slated to begin soon afterwards. Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817122124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110728082312.htm The orbit of ESA’s retired ERS-2 observation satellite is being lowered to reduce the risk of collision with other satellites or space debris. The goal is to leave it well below most operating polar satellites by the end of August. Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110728082312.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110720090505.htm Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope discovered a fourth moon orbiting the icy dwarf planet Pluto. The tiny, new satellite -- temporarily designated P4 -- was uncovered in a Hubble survey searching for rings around the dwarf planet. Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:05:05 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110720090505.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630111530.htm Using ingenuity and an unorthodox 'dirty hack', the European Space Agency has recovered the four-satellite Cluster mission from near loss. The drama began in March, when a crucial science package stopped responding to commands -- one of a mission controller's worst fears. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630111530.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110606141726.htm Today, orbiting satellites are threatened by over 700 000 pieces of debris. Avoiding them requires knowing where they are, and that means surveillance with radar and telescopes. The European Space Agency is designing a system to catalog debris and warn satellite operators when to take evasive action. Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110606141726.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110527080322.htm Researchers have developed a method to track the movement of geostationary objects using the position of the stars, which could help to monitor space debris. The technique can be used with small telescopes and in places that are not very dark. Fri, 27 May 2011 08:03:03 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110527080322.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110406132020.htm The growing quantity of space debris is a serious threat to satellites and other spacecraft, which risk being damaged or even destroyed. A new European space surveillance system is being developed to ward off the danger of collisions in orbit. Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110406132020.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110324153513.htm Two satellites designed and constructed by engineering students in Texas successfully separated in space March 22, completing the most crucial goal of the mission since its Nov. 19 launch and making them the first student-developed mission in the world in which satellites orbit and communicate with each other in real-time. Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110324153513.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110308075851.htm Astronomers have discovered a new cosmic explosion: a gamma-ray burst and its associated supernova. Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most powerful blasts in the Universe, and are thought to be created in the deaths of the most massive stars. Tue, 08 Mar 2011 07:58:58 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110308075851.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110222141145.htm A new instrument developed to study changes in the sun's brightness and its impact on Earth's climate is one of two primary payloads on NASA's Glory mission set to launch on Feb. 23. Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:11:11 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110222141145.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201122540.htm The European Space Agency's Cluster satellites have flown through a natural particle accelerator just above Earth's atmosphere. The data they collected are unlocking how most of the dramatic displays of the northern and southern lights are generated. Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201122540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101230172417.htm The GOES series of satellites keep an eye on the weather happening over the continental US and eastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans and had a busy time with wild weather in 2010. GOES-13 just captured one of the last images of North and South America in 2010 as the world continues to turn toward 2011. Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:24:24 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101230172417.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101213075121.htm Two scientists propose an explanation for the bizarre ridge belting Saturn's moon Iapetus at the equator. At one time Iapetus itself may have had a satellite, created by a giant impact with another body. The satellite's orbit, would have decayed because of tidal interactions with Iapetus, and at some point it would have been ripped apart, forming a ring of debris around Iapetus that would eventually slam into the moon near its equator. Mon, 13 Dec 2010 07:51:51 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101213075121.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101212145224.htm Simulations may explain how Saturn's majestic rings and icy inner moons formed following the collision of a Titan-sized satellite with the planet, according to a new article. Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:52:52 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101212145224.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101206203246.htm On Dec. 6, 2010, NASA for the first time successfully ejected a nanosatellite from a free-flying microsatellite. NanoSail-D ejected from the Fast, Affordable, Science and Technology Satellite, FASTSAT, demonstrating the capability to deploy a small cubesat payload from an autonomous microsatellite in space. Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:32:32 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101206203246.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101203123517.htm Observation scientists have released stunning satellite images of the UK’s winter landscape. Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:35:35 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101203123517.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101122092558.htm Researchers have completed the first successful tests in zero gravity of a canopy for CubeSats -- the tiny satellites that hitch rides on rockets sending larger satellites into orbit. The goal is gathering data on what happens when micrometeoroids slam into satellites. Such impacts often knock out electronic equipment on satellites. The encounters are poorly understood, but canopies could be a first step in eventually building "black boxes" for satellites similar to airplane flight recorders. Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101122092558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101013083309.htm Scientists in Spain have developed a new system for docking and capturing space satellites based on robotics and computer vision technology to autonomously guide a space vehicle to dock and capture the satellites. Wed, 13 Oct 2010 08:33:33 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101013083309.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901073405.htm A new method of predicting solar storms that could help to avoid widespread power and communications blackouts costing billions of pounds has been launched by researchers in the UK. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:34:34 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901073405.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901073403.htm Just as we grow used to satellite navigation in everyday life, media reports argue that a coming surge in solar activity could render satnav devices useless, perhaps even frying satellites themselves. Is it true? No. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:34:34 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901073403.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100831134829.htm Undergraduate students, who have been helping to control five NASA satellites, participated in the unusual decommissioning of a functioning satellite with a failed science payload in recent days, bringing the craft into Earth re-entry to burn up. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100831134829.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100827082324.htm Next week marks the 10th anniversary of the start of formation flying for the four satellites of ESA's Cluster quartet, one of the most successful scientific missions ever launched. On 1 September 2000, just a few weeks after launch, the four individual satellites of the Cluster mission began coordinated orbits, marking the formal start of formation flying. Since then, the four satellites -- dubbed Samba, Tango, Rumba and Salsa -- have gone on to collect some of the most detailed data ever on the physical properties of space between Earth and the Sun, and on the interactions between the charged particles of the solar wind and Earth's atmosphere. In all, over 2.6 terabytes of data -- enough to fill 3300 CDROMS -- have been delivered from space. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100827082324.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100726094749.htm When American space pioneer, Dr. Robert L. Forward, proposed in 1984 a way of greatly improving satellite telecommunications using a new family of orbits, some claimed it was impossible. But now engineers in Scotland have proved that Forward was right. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100726094749.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100722181317.htm The last of five instruments slated to fly on the upcoming NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) climate and weather satellite have been successfully integrated, according to NASA officials. The polar-orbiting satellite is scheduled to launch in late 2011. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100722181317.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100327145501.htm New technology is set to play a major part in clearing dangerous clouds of debris hurtling around the Earth's lower orbit. Scientists have devised a miniature satellite or nanosatellite fitted with a solar sail. "CubeSail" is a device which can be fitted to satellites or launch vehicle upper stages that are sent into orbit and then can be deployed to successfully de-orbit equipment that has reached the end of its mission. Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:55:55 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100327145501.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311101659.htm Take a bunch of fast-moving electrons, place them in orbit and then hit them with the shock waves from a solar storm. What do you get? Killer electrons. That's the shocking recipe revealed by ESA's Cluster mission. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:16:16 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311101659.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302165926.htm There is a mystery afoot at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center -- the case of the mylar mystery to be exact. The PBS show "The History Detectives" recently investigated questions surrounding one clue -- a small, unassuming, silver sample of mylar with pink residue on one side. The mystery to be solved was whether or not this bit of mylar was from Goddard's Echo II satelloon project. Satelloons are a combination of satellites and balloons which were constructed out of bright, metallic mylar for increased visibility. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:59:59 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302165926.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100224183119.htm NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite K-L program completed its Critical Design Review and Production Readiness Review in El Segundo, Calif. on Feb. 19. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:31:31 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100224183119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127182505.htm A tiny communications satellite designed and built by undergraduates has been selected to be launched into orbit in November as part of a NASA space education initiative. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127182505.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127152506.htm The latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-P is proceeding through more checks in preparation for its launch, which is no earlier than March 1. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127152506.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091208132351.htm ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray observatory is celebrating 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, XMM-Newton has changed the way we think of space. Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:23:23 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091208132351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111121247.htm Into its second week in orbit, Proba-2's spacecraft platform has proven to be in excellent health. This leaves the way clear for commissioning the many new technology payloads aboard the mini-satellite, among the smallest ever flown by ESA. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:12:12 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111121247.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021101820.htm As preparations for the launch of SMOS and Proba-2 continue on schedule, the engineers and technicians at the Russian launch site say goodbye as both satellites are encapsulated within the half-shells of the Rockot fairing. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:18:18 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021101820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923102333.htm The first Swiss satellite in history -- extremely small and 100 percent student designed and built -- has been successfully launched from the Sriharikota space station in India. Constructed by the EPFL, with many institutional partners, the SwissCube has gone into orbit. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923102333.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153115.htm A combination of small satellites can, with innovative methods, use the signals of the navigation satellite systems GPS and Galileo to significantly improve remote sensing of Earth. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153115.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916092818.htm Scientists have assembled the first global geological map of Jupiter's moon Ganymede -- the solar system's largest moon -- and in doing so have gathered new evidence into the formation of the large, icy satellite. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916092818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090805114618.htm The Naval Research Laboratory's satellite suite, the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment 2 (ANDE-2), was deployed from NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour on July 30, 2009. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:46:46 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090805114618.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090710121543.htm On June 27, 2009, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-O, soared into space during a spectacular launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GOES-O has now been renamed and its solar array has been deployed. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090710121543.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528092732.htm ESA's next Earth Explorer, SMOS, has just passed the all-important Flight Acceptance Review, signifying that all the elements that make up the mission are in place for launch later this year. The satellite can now be prepared for its journey to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. Thu, 28 May 2009 09:27:27 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528092732.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526183858.htm Since the early 1960s, super powerful spy satellites have been the stuff of the military and intelligence communities. Now two U.S. companies have launched commercial imaging satellites that offer the same sort of space-based images of the Earth to the public. One of these companies recently launched the highest-resolution commercial imaging satellite in the world. Tue, 26 May 2009 18:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526183858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505061949.htm Do we have to modify Newton's theory of gravitation as it fails to explain so many observations? Voices are increasingly being heard that support this heretical hypothesis. Two new studies are likely to provide yet more grist for the mill. Their latest results about so-called "satellite galaxies" at the periphery of the Milky Way could rock the theoretical foundations of standard physics. Tue, 05 May 2009 06:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505061949.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406132821.htm GOCE's sophisticated electric ion propulsion system has been switched on and confirmed to be operating normally, marking another crucial milestone in the satellite's post-launch commissioning phase. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406132821.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090320112112.htm Europe's GOCE satellite has been formally declared ready for work. During the critical Launch and Early Orbit Phase beginning with separation from its booster, GOCE was checked out to confirm that all of its control systems are operating normally. GOCE (the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) is the first of a new family of ESA satellites designed to study our planet and its environment in order to enhance our knowledge and understanding of Earth-system processes and their evolution, to enable us to address the challenges of global climate change. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090320112112.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224111111.htm NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite failed to reach orbit after its liftoff on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 1:55 a.m. PST from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:11:11 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224111111.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090213102047.htm The recent collision involving an active U.S. commercial Iridium satellite and an inactive Russian Cosmos 2251 satellite in low Earth orbit has demonstrated an urgent need to establish a civil space traffic control system. Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090213102047.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090209081429.htm A new environmental satellite that will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world soared into space recently after a picture-perfect launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA-N Prime spacecraft lifted off Feb. 6 at 2:22 a.m. PST aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket from NASA's Space Launch Complex 2. Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090209081429.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204094951.htm ESA is now gearing up to return to Russia to oversee preparations for the launch of its GOCE satellite – now envisaged for launch on 16 March 2009. This follows implementation of the corrective measures after the anomaly with the Rockot launcher that delayed the launch of GOCE by Eurockot Launch Services last October. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:49:49 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204094951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081228200100.htm Space missions are highly complex operations, not only because the satellites or space probes are unique pieces of top-notch intricate high-tech, but also because it is so challenging to get them to their assigned position in space without damage. The technology used is now being transferred to the car industry to increase comfort. Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:01:01 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081228200100.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081217124426.htm Satellites that were designed to measure sea level over the world's oceans can serve a valuable purpose over land, a new study has found. Researchers used satellite to measure the height and extent of flooding in North America, South America, and Asia. Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:44:44 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081217124426.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215184317.htm A new study shows the periodic "breathing" of Earth's upper atmosphere that has long puzzled scientists is due in part to cyclic solar wind disturbances, a finding that should help engineers track satellites more accurately and improve forecasts for electronic communication disruptions. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:43:43 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215184317.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081113181312.htm It's not much bigger than a softball and weighs just 2 pounds. But the "pico satellite" being designed and built in a University of Florida aerospace engineering laboratory may hold a key to a future of easy access to outer space -- one where sending satellites into orbit is as routine and inexpensive as shipping goods around the world. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:13:13 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081113181312.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081102211920.htm After four months of tests and qualification of the entire satellite and the ground segment by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, command and control operations for the Jason-2 ocean altimetry satellite were handed over to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 29 October. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:19:19 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081102211920.htm