On May 16, China launched a BeiDou satellite to replenish the constellation, reported Space News. This brings the constellation total to 56 satellites.
This backup satellite was aboard a Long March 3B rocket, which launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China at 10:49 p.m. Eastern Time. The satellite aims to improve BeiDou’s stability, positioning precision and overall health.
In addition to launching the BeiDou satellite, China also launched satellites to study Earth and synthetic aperture radar test satellites (SAR) for disaster prevention.
On May 21, the Macau Science Satellite 1A and 1B launched on a Long March 2C rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 4 a.m. Eastern Time. This satellite was designed to study the Earth’s magnetic field.
Also, on May 21, aboard the same rocket was the Luojia-2 (01), a Ka-band synthetic aperture radar test satellite for Wuhan University. The Luojia-2 (01) will test signal enhancement and integration of remote sensing imaging, meteorological detection and more.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has planned more than 60 launches this year and has already completed 20 thus far.
Adtran and Satelles, a provider of secure time and location technology using low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites, have partnered to offer operators of critical infrastructure a timing network device with satellite, time and location (STL) technology. The partnership aims to provide an alternative to GNSS by integrating STL technology from Satelles into Adtran’s Oscilloquartz network synchronization products.
Through its partnership with Satelles, Adtran’s Oscilloquartz division will incorporate STL into its end-to-end timing toolkit. The companies will also integrate STL into its grandmaster clocks to develop miniature M.2 form factor STL receiver modules for third-party product integration.
With the ability to deliver precise position, navigation and timing (PNT) service in GNSS-denied applications, STL is suitable for mobile operators, power utility companies, government, scientific research and more. STL technology also offers accurate, secure and augmented Iridium LEO-based PNT services for indoor applications and as backup for GNSS outdoors.
SpirentCommunications has revealed its latest low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite solution software named SimORBIT, developed in partnership with space-borne receiver developer SpacePNT. The software is designed to aid developers in determining LEO orbits accurately for GNSS/PNT lab testing.
SimORBIT calculates LEO orbits as well as their environments and intricate characteristics to provide an accurate result to developers for testing. The software replicates LEO orbits so that simulations can provide the realistic environment of a LEO satellite, including gravitational and atmospheric impacts the satellite could encounter in space.
SimORBIT was created in partnership with spaceborne receiver developer SpacePNT. “Until now, PNT testing on LEO applications has been limited due to the lack of an integrated solution that could offer realistic LEO orbital data together with GNSS simulation capabilities,” explained Adam Price, Spirent’s vice president of PNT Simulation. “By working in close collaboration with SpacePNT, we have been able to develop the SimORBIT tool to bring a new level of accuracy and realism to LEO application testing by combining the simulation of precise LEO orbits and highly accurate GNSS signals.”
With Spirent’s release of SimORBIT, developers can create non-ICD signals via I/Q injection, or by the Spirent “Flex” feature, generating space-centered PNT signals to be developed in the lab as realistically as possible.
A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the December 2021 issue of GPS World magazine.
OEM
Satellite-cell terminal
With built-in GPS receiver
Photo: OQ
OQ Technology’s dual-mode satellite-cellular IoT modem and tracker is a plug-and-play, small, low-cost and low-power solution that can collect data from more than 1,000 sensors. It has a built-in GPS receiver and supports 5G NB-IoT, GSM, LTE-M and bi-directional satellite links. The flexible, robust and programmable dual-mode terminal has pre-paid data packages suitable for remotely monitoring and controlling fixed and mobile assets in industries such as transportation, oil and gas, utilities, and maritime.
Provides mission-critical, extended length GPS over fiber
Photo: ViaLite
ViaLite’s GPS over Fiber Extension Kit for Microchip/Microsemi GPS timing servers provides mission-critical GPS timing and synchronization for systems requiring extremely accurate clock signals. Standard transmission distances for the extension kit can be up to 10 km, while solutions are available for distances as long as 50 km. The ViaLite kit was chosen for its unique performance with Microsemi’s S650 timing server. The ViaLite GPS link is designed to provide a remote GPS/GNSS signal or derived timing reference to equipment located where no signal is available, such as inside buildings or tunnels. By using optical fiber instead of traditional coaxial cable, extreme distances are possible with no radio frequency loss and zero introduction of noise.
The RELY-MIL-TIME-SERVER, which complies with MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-461G, embeds the latest timing, networking and security technology in a single SWaP platform. The all-in-one rugged edge computing device acts as a high-performance master clock and serves secure accurate timing distribution (PTP, NTP, GNSS). The timing feature is combined with high-bandwidth and high-availability Ethernet switching and L2/L3 cybersecurity services in a unique commercial-off-the-shelf device. At its heart is a Xilinx Ultrascale+ MPSoC device powered by SoC-e hardware IP cores for PTP and high-availability low-latency Ethernet networking.
The M-G370PDS0 inertial measurement unit (IMU) is equipped with a high-performance six-axis sensor. It has an angle random walk (short-term variation in output) of 0.03°/√h, which is half that of its predecessor, and can more accurately detect very slight changes in the attitude of equipment and systems, since they do not get lost in sensor noise. The small size, light weight and low power consumption will help customers make their own products smaller and lighter. It also maintains compatibility with earlier products (the M-G370/365/364/354), making performance upgrades easy.
The OSA 5400 SyncModule enables technology suppliers to integrate precise synchronization into their hardware. Its M.2 form factor can add timing capabilities to switches, routers, open compute servers and other IT devices. The SyncModule provides GNSS, precision time protocol (PTP) and network time protocol (NTP) engines as well as comprehensive PTP and GNSS monitoring and assurance functionality. It can enable assured sub-microsecond timing in public and private networks as well as critical infrastructure. Featuring multiple interface options for easy integration, the OSA 5400 SyncModule comes with an open API. It also can be managed by ADVA’s proven Ensemble Sync Director management system.
Running on Microsoft Windows, u-center 2 offers anyone working with 10th-generation (M10) u-blox GNSS technology a highly intuitive interface to configure GNSS products, evaluate their performance, improve the quality of their software, and experience the performance boost achieved using GNSS-related services. The software is the successor to the u-center GNSS evaluation software, which has been used by design engineers for almost two decades to develop GNSS receiver applications. Compatible with u-blox M10 GNSS technology, u-center 2 is designed to offer improved performance over its predecessor. New features in u-center 2 simplify configuration, evaluation and software development of GNSS-based solutions. It is free for download.
The MEA-1227-SM is a GNSS/L1 and L2 low-profile screw-mount antenna. It has high performance suitable for maintaining constant network connectivity. The MEA-1227-SM covers all GPS/GLO/BEI/ QZSS/Galileo/SBAS/L1L2 standard frequencies. It is designed for telematics systems, remote surveillance, asset tracking and any internet of things (IoT) system applications. This screw mount antenna is easy to install, with a low profile suitable for challenging installations. It has a IP67-rated housing and anti-rotation mounting.
The Cowboy e-bike solution provides riders with high-performance, real-time GNSS accuracy, enabling them to map their own paths and those of the cities in which they live. It uses smart road-companion applications to ensure riders get precise information, regardless of the route they travel. The positioning component uses Taoglas’ Accura GVLB258.A, a multi-band GNSS L1/L5, high-performance stacked patch antenna, in conjunction with u-blox’s SAM-M8Q GNSS positioning module. The combination allows for extremely low power and high accuracy. The solutions works with “micromobility” services offered by Cowboy, such as Easy Rider for theft detection, bike insurance and crash detection notifications.
Instant decimeter-level accuracy with automotive sensors
Photo: Profound Positioning
The Profound-IVT (instant vehicle tracking) provides cost-effective vehicle navigation. Based on a firmware library, and rapidly adaptable to any navigation platform, IVT combines precise point GNSS positioning (PPP), dead reckoning and radar technologies in an integrated solution to provide decimeter-level positioning accuracy plus orientation and velocity. IVT performs in tunnels, dense urban environments, multi-level highway junctions and parking garages. With errors <1% of distance travelled, resolution is extremely rapid. Base stations are not required and there are no operating range limitations. Applications include driver assistance, mobility and taxi, autonomous vehicles, geofencing, fleet tracking, insurance, driving and safety management, and connected driving.
Off-the-shelf map data through the HxGN Content Program
Photo: Hexagon
Metro HD city data is a new offering of ultra-high-resolution 2D and 3D digital twins of major cities. Metro HD expands the data stack to include high-definition true orthophotos, obliques, digital terrain models, lidar point clouds, 3D building models (LOD2), 3D meshes and land-use maps. Cities captured in 2021 include Munich, Cologne, Vienna, Milan, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Tokyo, Dallas, New York, Stuttgart and Frankfurt. More cities will be added in early 2022. The program uses a hybrid urban mapping sensor, the Leica CityMapper-2, that concurrently collects lidar and aerial imagery. The derived products, based on the strength of each subsystem, result in superior accuracy and temporal consistency across all three data dimensions.
Bad Elf LLC and Laser Tech are providing an integrated laser offset workflow for acquiring high-accuracy field data in GNSS-challenged environments. The new workflow integrates Bad Elf and LTI hardware in collaboration with ArcGIS technology from Esri. The Bad Elf Flex GNSS receiver connects to any LTI TruPulse rangefinder over a wired or Bluetooth connection to deliver high-accuracy location data to Esri ArcGIS Field Maps. Field workers can now efficiently complete position and height data collection in access-limited situations, saving time, money and effort. The Bad Elf app workflow runs on Android and iOS.
Geo-genie is a cloud-based collaborative and professional mapping and surveying platform enabling customization and creation of geocentric information systems. Teamed with Handheld’s Algiz RT8 rugged field tablet, it streamlines work and allows non-professionals to perform accurate geodetic mapping, guiding and monitoring of their data collection. The platform enables organizations to have an advanced, professional surveying and GIS platform with customized procedural workflows, management of user hierarchies, and integration with other organizational information systems. Geo-genie can connect with professional surveying equipment, such as GPS and total stations, and integrates data into a cloud-based central database with no restriction for specific data-collection hardware.
The wireless GNSS amplifier LogBuch+ increases the accuracy of location data with the cloud-based LogBuch application. The app enables voice-based digital mapping via a smartphone app, such as for the maintenance of trees. The compact device receives satellite signals on several radio frequencies, delivering significantly more precise data than a smartphone alone. Foresters can carry the GNSS amplifier in a pocket and digitally mark trees for felling using the LogBuch app.
The YellowScan Explorer lidar can be mounted on a light manned aircraft or helicopter, as well as a UAV platform such as the DJI M300. This versatility allows the end user to tackle a wide range of projects with the same unit. It uses an Applanix APX-20UAV GNSS/inertial solution and has a precision of 2.6 cm and an accuracy of 2.2 cm. Its high-power laser scanner can catch points up to 600 meters away. Flight operation speed is 5–35 m/s; it is capable of above-ground-level altitude up to 300 m. The low-weight unit (2.3 kg without battery) can be combined with YellowScan’s suite of software to extract and process point cloud data for surveying, forestry, environmental research, archaeology, industrial inspection, civil engineering and mining sectors.
The DJI Mavic 3 improves on its predecessor with better sensors, a dual-camera system, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, smarter flight modes and longer flight times. A powerful positioning algorithm improves hovering precision with signals from GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou satellites, enabling the drone to lock onto multiple satellite signals faster. The increased positioning precision also makes the drone less likely to drift in the air and more stable when shooting long exposures and time lapses. The Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) 5.0 combines inputs from six fish-eye vision sensors and two wide-angle sensors to sense obstacles in all directions and plan safe flight routes.
Conduct missions, manage fleets and view video feeds
Photo: SkyGrid
SkyGrid’s autonomous remote UAV operations solution enables drone operators to remotely conduct missions, control flights, manage fleets and view live video feeds. Using artificial intelligence and airspace-related data feeds, SkyGrid enables safe remote operations, whether conducting routine inspections or generating optimal flight paths. Advanced route generation capabilities create the safest route for each drone based on the flight plan, environmental conditions, the vehicle’s performance, and the mission criteria with minimum on-site support required. SkyGrid Launch allows video feeds from drones to be consolidated to a remote central location, such as a ground station.
The Sicura EG-1100 is a heavy-lift, long endurance, single-rotor helicopter. Now in its third generation, the helicopter can haul 15 pounds. It cruises at 55 knots. The EG-1100 is available in both electric and gas engine configurations, with an endurance at 3.5 hours on gasoline and 1 hour on electric power. The new gas engine is the high-performing and efficient Skypower 110, tuned to the craft’s internally developed chassis and rotor blades. It offers stable performance in challenging environmental conditions, exceptionally stable flight and immediate flight response for image capture and lidar operations. Multiple payload sets can be carried in one flight.
The Spirit dual-rotor coaxial unmanned aerial system (UAS) is a versatile and durable system for mission-critical operations. Combined with a fully modular, plug-and-play payload design, the Spirit’s open architecture allows operators to easily add or upgrade software to unlock new operating capabilities without the need to design or develop a new aircraft. It has an all-weather airframe. With nearly 10 pounds available for batteries and payloads, Spirit sets the new standard for performance in its weight class. Setup is quick and easy, allowing for takeoff from any type of terrain. The highly streamlined all-weather airframe has a top speed of 60 miles per hour and can operate in high winds. Payloads and batteries can be mounted or stacked on the top or bottom point.
SpaceX launched into orbit for the U.S. Space Force the fifth GPS III satellite (SV05) on June 17.
Photo: U.S. Space Force
GPS III SV05 eventually will replace one of the legacy GPS IIR satellites. Once GPS III SV05 is operational, about 16% of the 31-satellite constellation will be modernized with GPS III’s new capabilities.
M-Code Requirement Met
GPS III SV05 is the 24th M-code satellite on orbit, completing the constellation’s baseline requirement to provide U.S. military forces a more-secure, harder-to-jam and spoof GPS signal.
GPS III SV05 is the fifth Lockheed Martin-built, next-generation GPS III space vehicle. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is the first U.S. Space Force mission to reuse a previously-flown booster, the company said.
The U.S. Space Force contracted Lockheed Martin to design and build GPS III/GPS IIIF satellites to help modernize today’s GPS satellite constellation with new technology and advanced capabilities. Lockheed Martin said the GPS III provides three-times greater accuracy, eight times improved anti-jamming capability for U.S. military forces; a new L1C civil signal to the constellation that is compatible with other GNSS; and a new modular design that allows new technology and capabilities to be added in the future to better address changing mission needs and emerging threats.
Future GPS III Satellites
GPS III Space Vehicles 06, 07 and 08 already are complete and waiting to be called up for their launch dates, which are to be determined.
In addition, GPS III SV09 was core-mated, meaning it reached a major production milestone in which two major satellite components — the mission module and the propulsion core — are paired to form one space vehicle. The GPS III SV10 currently is in the component build up stage.
Lockheed Martin has been contracted to design and build up to 22 additional GPS III Follow On – or GPS IIIF – satellites (SV11-32), with even more capabilities. Contract options for the first four GPS IIIFs, SV11-14, have been exercised so far.
The U.S. Space Force contracted Lockheed Martin to design and build GPS III/GPS IIIF to help modernize today’s GPS satellite constellation. Photo: Lockheed Martin
Earth-imaging and scientific payloads have arrived in French Guiana, both designed for Ariancespace’s Vega mission in November.
The spacecraft were delivered by a chartered Antonov AN-124 cargo jetliner that touched down at Cayenne’s Félix Eboué Airport. They were then transported by road to the Spaceport, where processing is now underway in separate clean room areas of the S5 payload processing facility.
According to Arianspace, the Vega’s mission with these satellites is designated Flight VV17 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system.
The two satellites include SEOSAT-Ingenio, Spain’s optical observation satellite, and Taranis.
SEOSAT-Ingenio
Arianespace’s launch services contract for the SEOSAT-Ingenio satellite was signed with the European Space Agency for Spain’s Center for Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI). The satellite features optical technology, developed primarily by the Spanish space industry with Airbus in Spain as the prime contractor. Its liftoff mass will be approximately 840 kg.
High-resolution imagery from SEOSAT-Ingenio is to be used for civil and military purposes in such applications as security, land management, natural resources, border surveillance, agriculture and natural disaster crisis management, Arianspace said. The satellite is owned by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, with the CDTI leading the spacecraft project by delegation and also assuming its cost.
Spain’s SEOSAT-Ingenio (left) is readied for the startup of its checkout process in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility, which will begin after the external wrapping is removed. The French Taranis scientific satellite (right) undergoes an initial inspection in another of the S5 clean room areas. (Photos: Arianspace)
Taranis
Taranis, or Tool for the Analysis of RAdiation from lightNIng and Sprites, is named after the god of thunder in Celtic mythology. It will study impulsive transfers of energy between the Earth’s atmosphere and the space environment that occur above thunderstorms.
Funded by the French CNES space agency, this satellite will have a liftoff mass in the 200-kg. category and is to provide data on the transient luminous events that have been observed in the past 30 years, particularly such phenomena that are called sprites, jets and elves.
According to Arianspace, both SEOSAT-Ingenio and Taranis will operate in similar orbits at an altitude of approximately 700 km. In ride-sharing this launch on Arianespace’s light-lift Vega launcher, the two spacecraft will be deployed by a VESPA payload dispenser, produced by Airbus in Spain for Avio.
The EGNOS payload aboard the Eutelsat 5 West B satellite has entered service, according to Eutelsat Communications. The satellite carries a payload for the European GNSS Agency (GSA) called GEO-3. GEO-3 is designed to be aboard a geostationary satellite to augment GNSS signals.
A solar-array problem affected the satellite shortly after its Oct. 9 launch.
Eutelsat 5 West B is hosting the EGNOS payload under a 15-year agreement signed in 2017 with the European GNSS Agency (GSA). The contract also includes technical services and a European ground infrastructure, including two gateways installed at Eutelsat’s Rambouillet and Cagliari teleports.
Image: GSA
“Eutelsat is proud of the collaboration with its customer GSA, its partners including the European Space Agency, and its suppliers, culminating in the entry into service of this next generation technology of EGNOS on Eutelsat 5 West B,” said Yohann Leroy, Eutelsat’s Deputy CEO and Chief Technical Officer. “We are delighted to host this payload, which will significantly enhance the performance of global navigation satellite systems across Europe, notably Galileo, in the coming years.”
“With this new payload in service, EGNOS is moving towards the transition to its new generation,” said Pascal Claudel, GSA acting executive director and CEO. “This has been done thanks to the constructive collaboration with Eutelsat. Delivery and continuity of satellite services are part of our mission as delegated by the European Commission. It is essential that we, at the GSA, ensure these services to support economic growth and that the European Union’s citizens and companies can benefit from the latest GNSS technology.”
The GPS enterprise reached another major milestone on Oct. 21, when the GPS III Contingency Operations Program (COps) successfully connected with the first GPS III satellite on orbit.
The COps system will allow the Air Force to operationally command and control the new, more powerful GPS III satellites as well as legacy GPS satellites currently in the constellation. The first GPS III satellite was launched on Dec. 23, 2018.
After final system test, the Air Force approved installation of COps to command and control legacy operations at the Master Control Station at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., and at the Alternate Master Control Station at Vandenberg, Air Force Base near Lompoc, Calif.
Trial period begins. In October 2019, the COps program received approval from Air Force Space Command’s Operations and Communications Directorate (A3/6) to enter a trial period.
The trial period includes testing COps command and control with the live, on-orbit GPS III satellite, which allows the program office to conduct developmental and operational testing needed to thoroughly verify requirements and functionality of the satellite.
The testing aims to confirm readiness for operational acceptance targeted for December 2019 and April 2020 for the GPS III satellite and COps respectively.
The GPS III COps program is managed by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Production Corps, Command and Control Systems Division, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California.
The Production Corps is an 800-plus person team managing 26 programs across the Air Force’s space portfolio.
A solar flare in 2015. (Photo: Photo: Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA)
You wake up and turn on the TV. Your usual shows aren’t airing. You flip on the radio and learn that the Paris and Tokyo stock markets have closed. Back on TV, CNN is trying to use Skype in an attempt to cover what’s happening around the world following a solar superstorm.
In a U.S. bunker, the military has lost contact with armed drones flying over hostile areas in the Middle East. Loss of global communication satellites makes it difficult to send commands and surveillance data to soldiers, ships and aircraft, rendering them vulnerable to attack.
Throughout the day, more challenges arise. First responders don’t have access to their location systems. Delays in ground and air traffic begin to develop. Systems that depend on GPS time stamps — ATMs, power grids, computer-data and cell-phone networks — begin to fail, and the cloud becomes unstable. The internet soon collapses.
These events take place just a few hours into “A Day Without Satellites” as presented by Pål Brekke, solar physicist and senior advisor at the Norwegian Space Agency. Brekke spoke at the plenary session of ION GNSS+ on Sept. 17 in Miami.
Brekke reviewed the Carrington Event of September 1859, the first documented solar superstorm. In that event, a solar coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth’s magnetosphere, and its effects were observed and recorded by British astronomers. The storm wrought havoc with telegraph systems.
Today, a solar storm of this magnitude would cause widespread disruptions, blackouts and damage from extended outages of the power grid, communications networks, and of course, GNSS. The solar storm of 2012 was probably as big, but we were lucky — Earth wasn’t in the ejection path.
Without more data, it’s difficult to predict how often such superstorms take place, but it’s a sure bet that the scenario Brekke presented will happen eventually. To prepare, agencies around the world are studying and planning for the phenomenon, including the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (COPUOS), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Space and emergency agencies in the U.S, European countries and other countries are also developing plans.
Good to hear in the face of a threat that would undoubtedly affect us all.
The Harris-supplied navigation payload before integration into the second GPS III SV. (Photo: L3Harris)
As the U.S. Air Force prepares to launch its second next-generation GPS III satellite, L3Harris Technologies delivered its eighth navigation payload to GPS III satellite prime contractor Lockheed Martin.
The first GPS III satellite launched in December 2018 and its navigation payload has performed beyond expectations on-orbit during pre-operational testing, L3Harris said in a press release.
In May, the Air Force declared the third GPS III satellite Available for Launch, pending a launch date. L3Harris payloads are also already fully integrated in the GPS III 4-6 space vehicles currently in production and testing at Lockheed Martin.
The GPS III navigation payload features a mission data unit (MDU) with a unique 70-percent digital design that links atomic clocks, radiation-hardened processors and powerful transmitters — enabling signals three times more accurate than those on current GPS satellites. The payload also boosts signal power, which increases jamming resistance by eight times and helps extend the satellite’s lifespan.
In 2017, L3Harris announced that it completed development of an even more-powerful, fully digital MDU for the Air Force’s GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) program. The new GPS IIIF payload design will further enhance the satellite’s capabilities and performance.
In September 2018, the U.S. Air Force selected Lockheed Martin for a fixed-price-type production contract for up to 22 GPS IIIF satellites. L3Harris is Lockheed Martin’s navigation signal partner for GPS IIIF satellites, and in January received a $243 million award to provide the navigation signals for the first two GPS IIIF satellites, space vehicles 11 and 12.
L3Harris’ expertise in creating and sending GPS signals extends back to the mid-1970s — providing navigation technology for every U.S. GPS satellite ever launched. While the Air Force originally developed GPS for warfighters, millions of people around the world and billions of dollars of commerce now depend on the accurate, reliable signal created and sent by L3Harris navigation technology.
Wildfires in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil have hit record numbers, and satellites have been able to capture imagery of them.
According to NASA, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on its Aqua satellite captured images of several fires burning in the states of Rondônia, Amazonas, Pará and Mato Grosso on Aug. 11 and Aug. 13.
A satellite view of the Amazon wildfire on Aug. 13. (NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS/LANCE and GIBS/Worldview and VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS/LANCE and GIBS/Worldview, and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership.)
There have been 72,843 fires in Brazil this year, with more than half in the Amazon region, Brazil’s space research center, the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), said. This marks an 84% increase over the same period of 2018 and is the highest since records began in 2013, INPE added.
Amazonas, the largest state in Brazil, recently declared a state of emergency over the forest fires, said Euro News.
This map shows the “Biomass burning aerosol optical depth.” (Image: Copernicus’ Atmosphere Monitoring Service)
In the Amazon region, fires are rare for much of the year because wet weather prevents them from starting and spreading. However, in July and August, activity typically increases due to the arrival of the dry season, NASA said.
The European Space Agency has chosen Airbus to build the European component of the SMILE (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) satellite.
SMILE will be the first joint satellite mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), following on from the success of the Double Star/Tan Ce mission which flew between 2003 and 2008.
The objective of SMILE is to study and understand space weather. Specifically, it will look at the physics behind continuous interaction between particles in the solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere, the magnetic shield that protects the existence of life in our planet.
Space weather can interfere with GNSS signals.
The mission is now entering a four-year period of manufacturing, testing and integration of the payload module and the platform. In launch configuration, these two components will form a 3.15-meter-high stack.
The spacecraft will have a mass of 2,200 kg and will travel in a highly elliptical orbit around the Earth. Its perigee will be at a distance of 5,000 km (from where it will download data to the Troll ground station in Antarctica and the CAS ground station in Sanya, China), while the apogee will be as far as 121,000 km (almost one third the distance to the Moon). At this vantage point the satellite will have a prolonged view of the Earth’s northern polar regions, to enable the boundary of the Earth’s magnetic field and the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, to be imaged.
Payload in Madrid, platform in Shanghai. The payload module will be built at the Airbus site in Madrid, where the instruments will be integrated. The platform will be built in Shanghai. Both, the payload module and the platform will be integrated and tested at ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre facilities by a multinational team.
The science payload consists of four instruments:
The Soft X-ray Imager will obtain unique measurements of the regions where the solar wind impacts the magnetosphere.
The Ultra-Violet Imager will study the global distribution of the auroras.
The Light Ion Analyser will measure the energetic particles in the solar wind.
The Magnetometer will assess changes in the local magnetic field.
“Today, we are able to predict the weather on Earth; now it’s SMILE’s turn to help us understand space weather around the Earth and who knows? Probably one day, we will have enough data to be able to forecast dangerous solar storms that could disrupt our systems in space and on the ground,” said Fernando Varela, head of Airbus Space Systems in Spain. “We thank the Spanish Administration for their decisive and continued support to scientific missions.”
Other ESA missions, built by Airbus, such as Cluster that studied the Earth’s magnetosphere, and SOHO that studied the Sun, have already improved understanding of space weather.
Under the current plans, the spacecraft will be launched by a European Vega-C or Ariane 62 rocket in 2023.
