European Multinational Efforts
ESA Researches Dirty Bomb Detection
From research that was conducted on ESA’s Integral spacecraft, a U.K.-based company created a gamma-ray detection device that can identify radioactive material and explosives in dirty bombs. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security joined the research after signing a contract to develop a next-generation radiation detection system.
The Voyage of the Jules Verne
ESA’s Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) was guided to the International Space Station through a system that uses the GPS signal to determine position and velocity, allowing the ATV to navigate to the ISS. With the help of GPS, the Jules Verne successfully delivered cargo, water, and oxygen during its service mission to the ISS in April 2008.
Responsive Bus Routing
A technology developed by ESA is helping rural areas to provide on-demand public bus service. In many rural areas, public transportation connections are infrequent. Governments are reluctant to increase public transportation services where revenue does not justify the expense.
Automated Beam Steering for Uninterrupted Maritime Communications
There is a new Ku-band satellite communications service available to the maritime shipping industry that reduces crew workload and offers cellular, multimedia, and Internet access. The new Eutelsat Communications and SpeedCast maritime broadband communications service, announced in March 2008, offers satellite capacity to key shipping routes.
Enhancing Medical Education with Satellite Broadband
The VideoSat for Distance Learning program leverages satellite broadband and broadcast capabilities to provide continuing medical education. The new system, under development in 2008 by ESA and industry partners, aims to improve upon previous satellite-based distance learning systems by innovative use of video simulation technology supported by a user-friendly set-top box.
Disaster Charter Provides Timely Imagery to Response Teams
One of the key challenges in a flood involves getting timely and accurate information regarding flood-affected areas. Satellite imagery can mitigate the magnitude of flood damage by providing response teams with an overall image of the flooded area.
Locating Oil Well Locations Using Gravity
In support of the oil and gas industry, a U.K.-based company has used technology from an ESA gravity mission to develop a gravity strength sensor, or gravity gradiometer, to help find the most appropriate locations for drilling and to plan further exploration.
2008 – European Suborbital
In addition to development of personal spaceflight vehicles in the United States, in July 2007 the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) announced plans to develop a suborbital vehicle to serve the personal spaceflight market. The EADS vehicle, yet to be named, would employ conventional jet engines to climb to ## kilometers (## miles) before igniting rockets to reach altitudes above ## kilometers (## miles). EADS estimates vehicle development will cost €## billion (US$## billion). The company plans to begin operation of the vehicle in 2012.
2008 – Galileo
The European Union continues to develop the ##-satellite Galileo constellation, expected to be launched in 2010. Funding has been approved for the project, and in April 2008 the second GIOVE (Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element) test satellite was launched.
2008 – ISS
In addition to satellites and spacecraft, a third major facet of in-space activity involves in-space platforms. In-space platforms are facilities or modules constructed or placed in space with the intention of creating a permanent or semi-permanent location and resource base for staging further space activities. The International Space Station is the only operational in-space platform.