ESA's space science program has carried out a series of extraordinary projects, such as Giotto's mission and his encounter with Comet Halley in 1986 and with Comet Grieg Skjellop in 1992. Hipparcos surveying and mapping stars, accurately measuring the high jump and position of more than 1 10,000 stars; As well as ESA's participation in NASA's Hubble Space Telescope project, which is equipped with a dark object camera and a solar array. The main projects under development are: X-ray multi-lens mission, which is planned to be launched in 1999; Cluster-2, scheduled to be launched by Soyuz rocket in 2000; International Gamma-ray Laboratory, planned to be launched by Proton rocket in 200 1 year; Rosetta is scheduled to be launched in 2003 and will be combined with Comet Club for on-site ozone analysis. The far infrared space telescope is scheduled to be launched for the first time in 2005-2006. The first lunar probe "SMART- 1" of the European Space Agency launched six first-generation meteorological satellite spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit over the Gulf of Guinea, providing continuous meteorological data since the end of 1997. The last satellite in this series, MeteorSAT-7, launched by Ariane in Kourou on1September 3, 1997, will expand its coverage until the first spacecraft of the second generation MeteorSAT developed in cooperation with the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites can provide geostationary data after 2000.
ENVISAT deals with a series of problems in the field of earth science, from climate and environment, chemistry, oceanography and glaciers to the impacts of human activities (land transformation, coastal transformation and atmospheric and marine pollution) and monitoring unexpected natural events (such as floods and volcanic eruptions). ESA is working closely with key participants in European Earth observation, such as Council of Europe, the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, users and industry representatives, to formulate strategic recommendations for future ESA Earth observation programmes. At the world level, ESA intends to continue to strengthen its contacts, especially with China, India, Japan, the Russian Federation and the United States. Photographs of Mars released by the European Space Agency.
ESA has developed two series of operational satellites: EUTELSAT leased to EUTELSAT and Inmarsat leased to Inmarsat (formerly known as Inmarsat). 1989, ESA also launched the Olympus experimental communication satellite to show the new uses of communication and broadcasting.
In satellite navigation, ESA is working closely with Council of Europe and Eurocontrol to develop EGNOS, a European satellite navigation system that will complement the existing GPS and GLONASS. 20 10/0 On 4 October, the European Space Agency announced the planned space missions in 20 10, including the simulation test of "going to Mars" and launching satellites for Galileo global satellite navigation system. At the same time, the European Space Agency summarized the achievements in 2009.
Jean-Jacques Dhordain, Director General of the European Space Agency, said at the press conference that 20 10 will be a successful and busy year. In early February, the "Turret" observation module and "Quiet" node module developed by the European Space Agency will fly to the International Space Station on the American space shuttle Endeavour. In late February, the polar ice exploration satellite "CRISET-2" will be launched from the Baikonur space launch site in Kazakhstan; In May, the "Go to Mars" simulation test was launched in Russia. Two volunteers recruited by the European Space Agency will enter a fully enclosed test cabin with four Russian personnel to experience a 520-day simulated space travel and Mars landing. In July, Soyuz rocket will be launched for the first time from Kourou Space Center near the equator in South America. The launch date of the Italian Vega rocket is set at the end of 20 10 or the beginning of 20 1 1. Dhordain also said that there were two heavyweight launches at the end of 20 10. One is the launch of the second European automatic cargo ship; The second is the launch of the first two official satellites of Galileo Global Satellite Navigation System in Europe. In addition, two European astronauts will fly to the International Space Station in July and 65438+February respectively.
Dhordain said that in addition to frequent space missions, the European Space Agency will also consider and evaluate some future projects and development directions on 20 10. He said that from 2006 to 2009, the expenditure of the European Space Agency increased by 10% every year. In the next two years, the agency will curb this growth and make the total expenditure enter a relatively stable stage.
Dhordain said that despite the global financial crisis in 2009, the European Space Agency has made impressive achievements under difficult circumstances. In 2009, the agency launched five exploration satellites, including the far-infrared telescope "Herschel" and the cosmic radiation detector "Planck". In addition, two European astronauts went to the International Space Station on the Russian "Soyuz TMA- 15" manned spacecraft.