 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Earthwatch Hopes To Save Earlybird
Washington, DC Jan. 15, 1998 - 
Washington, DC Jan. 15, 1998 - Earthwatch Inc. has no plans to abandon the troubled Earlybird 1and is still hopeful the private remote sensing satellite can be saved, Spacecast learned late Wednesday. And although 2-way communications between ground stations and the satellite have yet to be established, Earthwatch officials are in the process of uplinking commands to the spacecraft to turn off what spokesperson Bill Wientzen described as "non- critical" components to save power.The smallsat is operating in a reduced power state as a result of an onboard malfunction, and it is the power problem that is threatening the mission. Instructions are being sent to the satellite now, but it remains unclear if the craft is responding, company officials reported late Wednesday. Satellite engineers are using simulators and systems from Earlybird II to trouble shoot the malfunction. While the spacecraft's condition remains a serious issue, Wientzen said that there is no "deadline" for the vehicle to respond. Its orbit remains stable, "and the satellite is in no immediate danger" of reentry, Wientzen said by telephone from Earthwatch's offices in Colorado. Ground stations have been unable to establish Two way communications with Earlybird 1 since its launch aboard a Start 1 booster late last month. The launcher worked as planned, and Earlybird was inserted into the proper orbit for its mission. But soon after launch officials were unable to communicate with the satellite, raising concerns that it would be unable to perform its photography mission. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Space
Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
