Spacecraft

Arecibo Radio/Radar Telescope
Arecibo has the largest telescope in the world.	The upgrade cost about $27 million.	The 1,000ft reflector dish rests in a mountaintop sinkhole in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, set 450ft beneath the structure supporting the dome, which houses a system of reflectors used to focus radio waves picked up by the telescope's dish.
The secondary and tertiary reflectors are located within a dome. The telescope can be 'steered' by moving the dome up and down along the curved arm, which can also be rotated.	In the dome, incoming rays that are reflected first off the fixed reflector on the bottom of the sinkhole are reflected up to the secondary and then to the tertiary mirror. The rays finally come to a point focus at the receiver room.

Ariane 5
The main cryogenic stage carries most of the electrical and guidance systems.	The Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building where the launcher receives its payload.	The Vinci expander cycle engine with a thrust rating of 15.5t.
The Speltra structure, which is positioned between the upper stage and the payload fairing.	The Sylda 5 structure carries the secondary payload. Constructed with carbon-honeycomb sandwich panels.

Ariane 5
The main cryogenic stage carries most of the electrical and guidance systems.	The Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building where the launcher receives its payload.	The Vinci expander cycle engine with a thrust rating of 15.5t.
The Speltra structure, which is positioned between the upper stage and the payload fairing.	The Sylda 5 structure carries the secondary payload.	Ariane's solid booster stage.

Artemis Telecommunications Satellite
The Artemis satellite was launched from the European Space Agency (ESA) base at Kourou on 12 July 2001.	The Artemis satellite is designed to test new technologies.	Artemis, an artist's impression. Artemis carrys three payloads plus a number of experiments.
Preparation of Artemis PFM model for acoustic test in the Large European Acoustic Facility (LEAF) at ESTEC.	Artemis has an innovative ion propulsion system.	The operation control centre is in Fucino, Italy.

Ascender Sub-Orbital Spaceplane
A model of the Ascender on display. The system is designed to massively cut the cost of space travel.	The Ascender is designed to carry out sub-orbital flights.	So far, the Ascender is a scale model a sixth of the size of the eventual aircraft.
When operational, it is hoped that the Ascender will make money through space tourism.	Bristol Spaceplanes hopes that the Ascender will be a low-cost stepping stone to its Spacecab concept, which will carry loads into space.	Bristol Spaceplanes' ultimate goal is to create a Spacebus which will be a more mature version of the SpaceCab.

Beagle 2 Mars Lander
Beagle 2, part of the ESA's Mars Express mission, will be landing on the Red Planet on 26 December 2003 after a journey of over six months. All rights reserved by Beagle 2.	Beagle 2 will be released from the Mars Express by the SUEM which will push the probe away whilst making it spin on its axis for stability. All rights reserved by Beagle 2.	With a landed mass of less than 30kg, Beagle 2 represents the most ambitious science payload to systems mass ratio ever attempted. All rights reserved by Beagle 2.
Once it has landed, Beagle 2 will begin collecting and analysing geological samples for evidence of life on Mars. All rights reserved by Beagle 2.	This tube, less than 100th the width of a human hair, was found in a meteorite believed to be of Martian origin. Experts are divided as to whether it is the fossilised remains of primitive life on Mars 3.6 billion years ago. Image courtesy of NASA.

Boeing 702 Satellite
The Boeing 702 is the successor to the Boeing 601 (which is the world's most widely used satellite).	This diagram shows the structure of the Boeing 702.	A Boeing 702 satellite being prepared. This was to be used for digital radio broadcasting.
This Boeing 702 is called "Roll". It is being prepared for launches.

Boeing Satellite Systems 702
The Boeing 702 is the successor to the Boeing 601 (which is the world's most widely used satellite).	This diagram shows the structure of the Boeing 702.	A Boeing 702 satellite being prepared. This was to be used for digital radio broadcasting.
This Boeing 702 is called 'Roll'. It is being prepared for launch.

Bristol Spaceplanes Ascender
A model of the Ascender on display. The system is designed to massively cut the cost of space travel.	The Ascender is designed to carry out sub-orbital flights.	So far, the Ascender is a scale model a sixth of the size of the eventual aircraft.
When operational, it is hoped that the Ascender will make money through space tourism.	Bristol Spaceplanes hopes that the Ascender will be a low cost stepping stone to its "Spacecab" concept, which will carry loads into space.	Bristol Spaceplanes' ultimate goal is to create a "Spacebus" which will be a more mature version of the SpaceCab.

CARTOSAT-2A Remote Sensing Satellite
Interior view of the CARTOSAT-2A satellite.	The PSLV launch vehicle.	The CARTOSAT-2A military earth observation satellite.

Chandra
The assembled telescope before unveiling.	The Chandra X-ray telescope is put in a vacuum chamber for testing.	Workers at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y., check the alignment of the Chandra observatory's High-Resolution Mirror Assembly.
The optical bench is mated with the high resolution mirror assembly.	Two transmission gratings used in the Chandra telescope to investigate temperature and chemical composition.

Chandra
The assembled telescope before unveiling.	The Chandra X-ray telescope is put in a vacuuum chamber for testing.	Workers at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y., check the alignment of the Chandra observatory's High-Resolution Mirror Assembly.
The optical bench is mated with the high resolution mirror assembly.	Two transmission gratings used in the Chandra telescope to investigate temperature and chemical composition.

Christmas Island Asia Pacific Launch Facility
Christmas Island is off the North West coast of Australia.	Several flightpaths have been identified for satellites from Christmas Island. The possibility of debris landing on oil and gas operations below has been a serious concern.	Christmas Island has traditionally had a low level of economic development and a rich wildlife. The spaceport simultaneously offers economic opportunities, and environmental threats.
The spaceport would take up a significant proportion of the island.	Artist's Impression of the Launch Facility on South Point.	The layout of the APSC on Christmas Island.
The flightpath of each rocket is important because of the potential danger of falling debris. The APSC should be able to predict where the debris will land, making it safe.

Contour (Comet Nucleus Tour)
A technician working on the Contour spacecraft.	The Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier (TWTA) flight unit #1 being integrated on the spacecraft.	The high gain antenna in the process of assembly.
The Contour spacecraft is subject to extensive testing.	The power switching unit (PSU).	The Contour gyro was supplied by Honeywell.
The aft panel of the Contour spacecraft.	Backside wiring on the Contour spacecraft.

Envisat Earth Observation Satellite
Envisat is an advanced polar-orbiting Earth observation satellite that was launched in March 2002 on an Ariane 5 rocket by the European Space Agency (ESA).	At that time of launch, Envisat was the largest European satellite ever to be launched.	The Envisat satellite went through its last testing in January 2001 before being shipped to the French dependency Kourou for launch. Transportation was a major task involving the transport of machinery by air, land and water.
The flight operation ground centre has command and control of the satellite. The ground stations are at Kiruna, Fucino, Svallbard and Villafranca. The flight operations control centre (FOCC) is located at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany.	Loading the payload module on to Antonow 124 at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.	The Envisat launcher was assembled in Kourou in August 2001.

Eutelsat W7
Eutelsat W7 is a telecommunication satellite principally used for providing high-power direct-to-home (DTH) and digital broadcasting services.	Radio frequency testing on the W7 satellite.	The Earth face of the Eutelsat W7 satellite.
Vibration texting of the W7 telecommunications satellite.	W7 final integration and flight configuration.

Genesis Solar Observation Spacecraft
Genesis mission timeline.	Genesis planned trajectory.	Genesis mission at the Kennedy Space Center.
Genesis spacecraft in launch configuration.	Genesis spacecraft as it orbits.	Genesis spacecraft in collection configuration.

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)
The GSLV launch vehicle is the latest and most advanced in India's line of launch vehicles.	Sriharikota Range (SHAR) is the launch station for GSLV.	For performance monitoring, tracking, range safety/ flight safety and preliminary Orbit Determination (POD), the vehicle is provided with instrumentation using Pulse Code Modulation(PCM) transmitting in S-band frequency and transponders operating in C-band.
The GSLV was actually launched in April 2001.

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)
The GSLV is the latest and most advanced in India's line of launch vehicles.	Sriharikota Range (SHAR) is the launch station for GSLV.	For performance monitoring, tracking, range safety/ flight safety and Preliminary Orbit Determination (POD), the vehicle is provided with instrumentation using Pulse Code Modulation(PCM) transmitting in S-band frequency and transponders operating in C-band.
The GSLV was launched in April 2001.	The GSLV is a prestigious national project for India.

Globalstar Communication Satellite
Globalstar satellites were launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.	A Globalstar satellite and its components.	The orbit trace shows the track Delta 2 will follow into space and telemetry coverage zones.
Overview of the Delta 2 rocket's 7420 vehicle configuration used in Globalstar launches.

GOES-14 Satellite
GOES-14 was officially launched into orbit on 27 June 2009 on the back of the Delta IV Medium + 4.2 rocket launcher.	GOES-14's mission is to observe the earth and send images to NOAA and NASA.	The satellite was subjected to five months of testing by the NOAA Satellite Operations Control Center in Suitland, Maryland, US.

Herschel Space Observatory
The Herschel Space Observatory is the largest space telescope ever built.	The space telescope has Alcatel as its main contractor.	The Hershel spacecraft will be launched alongside the Planck spacecraft.
The Herschel spacecraft will be in operation by 2007.	The two spacecraft will be launched from an Ariane 5 rocket.	Herschel and Planck in the fairing.

Hessi Solar Flare Observation Spacecraft
The High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (HESSI) spacecraft was launched in 2001.	HESSI was built by Spectrum Astro.	The HESSI spacecraft has four arrays for solar panels.
The Cryocooler cools the Spectrometer from below the cold plate in which the Germanium Detectors sit.	The HESSI spacecraft bus. The spacecraft bus consists of the structure and mechanisms, the power system (including the battery, solar panels and control electronics), the attitude control system, thermal control, command and data handling (C&DH) and telecommunications.	The Imaging Telescope Assembly consists of the telescope tube, grid trays, Solar Aspect System (SAS), and Roll Angle System (RAS). It was constructed, assembled, aligned, and tested at the Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland.

Hubble
Diagram showing datalink to Earth.	Hubble satellite in orbit.	The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was launched into orbit aroung Earth on 25 April 2001.
Launching Hubble via the space shuttle.	An astronaut during the satellite's three servicing visits.	The telescope, showing its solar panels.

Hubble Space Telescope
Diagram showing datalink from the Hubble Telescope to Earth.	Hubble Telescope in orbit.	Hubble above the Earth.
Launching Hubble via the space shuttle.	An astronaut during the satellite's three servicing visits.	The telescope, showing its solar panels.

HYLAS-2 Commercial Satellite
The HYLAS-2 satellite will be launched on the piggyback of an Ariane 5 or Soyuz rocket launch vehicle in early 2012.	The Ariane 5 can lift heavy spacecraft and is manufactured by ArianeSpace, France.	HYLAS-2 has the capacity to serve around one million broadband customers and has a design life of 15 years.

Integral Satellite
The Integral spacecraft was delivered in July 2001.	The Integral service module being prepared for Electromagnetic Compatibility tests.	The payload module with the spectrometer SPI.
The Integral spacecraft during one of the many vibration tests at ESTEC.	The Integral spacecraft in Alenia Spazio clean-room being prepared for journey to ESTEC.	Integral spacecraft at Alenia before trip to the Netherlands, showing on its near side the two star trackers

Intelsat-14
Intelsat 14 is a communication satellite, designed and manufactured by SSL.	SSL was awarded a contract to develop the high-power commercial satellite in January 2007.	The satellite currently serves American, European and African regions.

International Space Station
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Station Solar Arrays installed and deployed on orbit.	Solar arrays in the Lockheed Martin factory.	Space Station Solar Array Rotary Joints (SARJ).
Artist's impression of the International Space Station.	The Destiny space laboratory at the Kennedy Space Centre (KSC).	The airlock being lowered by a crane in the American Space Flight Centre in Huntsville.

International Space Station (ISS)
The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest international co-operative project in history.	The $100 billion cost of constructing the ISS is being shouldered by the USA, Russia, Japan, Europe, Canada, Italy and Brazil.	The Zarya and Unity modules, shortly after having been joined and released from Endeavour.
Quest airlock in the process of being installed onto the starboard side of Unity Node 1 using the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS).	Drawing of the Russian Docking Compartment, named Pirs. The module serves as a Russian airlock and docking port for the station.	The first of four ‘stand-off’ structures inside the Destiny Lab module. The stand-offs provide space for electrical connections, data management systems cabling for computers, air conditioning ducts, thermal control tubes and more.
The ISS as it looked in June 2002.	Cutaway diagram of the completed ISS.	Artist's impression of the completed ISS.

Johnson Space Center Mission Control
Johnson Space Center location.	Johnson Space Center Mission Control Center.	Desk module at the Mission Control Center in Houston.
Curved rear-panel and open top grill at the MCC.	A rear pull-out storage drawer accommodated by the console system at the new MCC in Houston.

Kennedy Space Center
Layout of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC); the Kennedy Space Center is the oldest of the American space programme's sites.	Space Shuttle taking off from the Kennedy Space Center.	Vehicle assembly building at the KSC.
SSPF main building.

Kodiak Star Spacecraft
The Kodiak Star will be processed in the Kodiak Launch Complex's processing facility before taking off.	Athena launch vehicle.	Kodiak Launch complex facilities.
Kodiak Launch Complex map.

Kourou Spaceport Launch System
Kourou is the site from which the Ariane space rockets are launched.	The European Space Agency (ESA) has extensive technical facilities.	The XMM module during testing. XMM was recently launched from Kourou on the Ariane 5 rocket.
A rocket stage being transported to Kourou.	The final assembly building at Kourou.

Lovell Radio Telescope
The Lovell telescope is 76m across.	The smaller Mark II radio telescope, with its 25m x 38m elliptical bowl, can be connected to the Lovell Telescope to form an interferometer.	An observer in the VLBI room. The tape deck in the background is recording the radio signals for future analysis.
Upgrade work was needed to enhance the quality of the surface.	The work required galvanised steel panels.	The Jodrell Bank site is one of the UK's premier scientific institutions.
The graphic shows the extent of degrading in the surface of the telescope.

Lunar Prospector
The NASA Lunar Prospector craft.	Lunar Prospector with the Trans-lunar injection stage.	Athena 1 on a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The NASA spaceport in Florida from which the spacecraft will be launched.	The Athena II launch vehicle.

Lunar Prospector
The NASA Lunar Prospector craft.	Lunar Prospector with the Trans-Lunar injection stage.	Athena 1 on a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The NASA spaceport in Florida from which the spacecraft will be launched.	The Athena II launch vehicle.

Mars Express Spacecraft/Orbiter
Mars Express mounted on the Fregat upper stage. Courtesy of the European Space Agency, © ESA 2001.	The Mars Express flight model. Courtesy of the European Space Agency, © ESA 2001.	High/Super Resolution Stereo Colour Imager. Courtesy of the European Space Agency, © ESA 2001.
Mars Express in orbit around the Red Planet. Courtesy of the European Space Agency, © ESA 2001.	Mars Express will take off from the launch platform at the Baikonur cosmodrome. Courtesy of the European Space Agency, © ESA 2001.	The spacecraft's electrical systems are powered by two adjustable solar panels that will be deployed shortly after the launcher housing has separated itself from Mars Express. Courtesy of the European Space Agency, © ESA 2001.

Mars Odyssey Orbiter
The Mars Odyssey spacecraft was launched in April 2001.	Working on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft.	The Mars Odyssey lander is designed as part of NASA's search for life on Mars.
The spacecraft will have a variety of sophisticated instruments such as this.	The spacecraft will carry a GRS instrument.	A diagram of how the Mars Odyssey is kitted out.

Mars Polar Lander
Diagram of the Mars Polar Lander.	Diagam of the meteorological mast.	Diagram of the spacecraft's robotic arm.
The Nasa lander was tested in Death Valley, California before being sent to Mars.	Diagram of Mars Polar Lander stages.	Lockheed Martin technicians inspect the equipment.

Mars Polar Lander
Diagram of the Mars Polar Lander.	Diagam of the meteological mast.	Diagram of the spacecraft's robotic arm.
The NASA lander was tested in Death Valley in California before being sent to Mars.	Diagram of Mars Polar Lander stages.	Lockheed Martin technicians inspect the equipment.

Messenger Mercury Explorer
Messenger will conduct the first orbital study of the planet Mercury.	Variations in the colours of rocks lying in different craters, shown here in enhanced Mariner 10 images, suggest variations in composition. This is one of the things that the Messenger Mission will study.	Diagram of the Messenger trajectory.
Mercury has not been visited since the Mariner 10 collected this image in the early 1970s.

Modis Ground Station
View of Mississippi River from Aqua satellite.	Modis instrument in laboratory.	Modis instrument front view.
Modis instrument lateral view.

Mosaic Small Satellite Programme
Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) is based at the Surrey Space Centre, which is linked to the University of Surrey.	The Topsat device will be mounted on a SSTL spacecraft.	Topsat will use an innovative, compact optical system providing 2.5m resolution panchromatic and 5m multi-spectral imagery over a wide swath, together with a downlink direct to local users.
Diagram of the Topsat device.

Nasa Space Shuttle Orbiter Vehicles
Space shuttle orbiter vehicle Discovery landing at the end of Mission STS-120 in November 2007.	Discovery launch in October 2007.	After touchdown, the speed-brake on the vertical tail and a drogue parachute are deployed to bring Discovery to a halt in November 2007.
The space shuttle orbiter's glass cockpit is fitted with an eleven panel full colour display Multifunction Electronic Display System (MEDS).	Launch of Atlantis, Mission STS-122 to deliver the European Space Agency (ESA) Columbus science laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS), in February 2008.	The NASA space shuttle with the Endeavour orbiter.
NASA mission control, the flight control centre.	Space shuttle Discovery after undocking from the International Space Station in November 2007. A Soyuz spacecraft docked to the station can be seen in the foreground.	The space shuttle main engine.

NASA X-43
In March 2004, a modified Pegasus booster rocket and X43 vehicle drop steadily away from the NASA B-52B aircraft.	In March 2004 over the Pacific Ocean, the modified Pegasus rocket motor ignites after release from the B-52B aircraft, beginning the acceleration of the X-43A vehicle.	The first captive flight of the X-43A vehicle and the Pegasus booster mounted on the B-52B carrier aircraft over the Pacific in April 2001.
The photograph, taken in June 2001, shows the X-43A and the booster moments after release from the B-52B carrier aircraft, just before ignition of the Pegasus rocket motor.	Artist concept of the Hyper X-43A in flight. The X-43A is powered by a supersonic combustion ramjet engine (scramjet) which uses gaseous hydrogen fuel.	Model of the X-43A vehicle mounted on the booster.
Layout diagram of X-43 Hypersonic vehicle.	Artist concept of the X-43 vehicle mounted on the booster attached to the B-52 aircraft. A B-52 carries the X-43A to an altitude over 40,000ft (12,000m).	Image (captured from an animation video) showing the X-43 separating from the booster.
Image (captured from an animation video) showing the X-43 after separating from the booster.	The X-43A flies at speeds of Mach 5 to Mach 10.

Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (N.E.A.R)
The NEAR probe was first launched in 1996.	The NEAR spacecraft has numerous instruments on it.	The NEAR project has been sponsored by NASA.
The NEAR spacecraft will have four solar panel flaps.	The starting point for the NEAR mission was the American launch site at Cape Canaveral.	The launch used a Delta II launch vehicle.

Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (N.E.A.R) Shoemaker
The NEAR probe was first launched in 1996.	The NEAR spacecraft has numerous instruments on it.	The NEAR project has been sponsored by NASA.
The NEAR spacecraft will have four solar panel flaps.	The starting point for the NEAR mission was the American launch site at Cape Canavaral.	The launch used a Delta II launch vehicle.

NPOESS
View of USA from satellite.	Antennas to receive satellite signals.	Artistic representation of the satellite.
The orbits of the satellites will be evenly spaced to provide a good rate of data refresh.

NSS-12
NSS-12 is a broadcasting satellite principally used for providing high-power direct-to-home (DTH) and digital broadcasting services to telecommunication providers, broadcasters, corporations and governments in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Africa.	NSS-12 C-band maps.	NSS-12 Ku-band maps.
The satellite was launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) through the SS/L-FS-1300 platform on the back of an Ariane 5 launch vehicle on 29 October 2009.	NSS-12 preparing for launch.

Oceansat-2
PSLV-C14 is 44.4m high and weighed 230t at lift-off.	The nanosatellites are designed to test new technologies.	Key objectives include studying surface winds and ocean surface strata, observing chlorophyll concentrations, monitoring phytoplankton blooms and studying atmospheric aerosols.
Oceansat-2 is a 960kg satellite launched into orbit 1,081s after lift-off at an altitude of 728km.

Odin Astronomical/Aeronomical Satellite
Odin's main objective is to perform detailed studies of the physics and the chemistry of the interstellar medium by observing emission from key species.	The satellite control building for Odin.	Odin in deployed configuration at System Magnetic Tests at IABG, Munich, June 1999.
The Odin satellite was subject to extensive testing before launch.	Odin's control centre was at Estrange.	The Odin rocket arriving at Svobodny for launching.
The rocket was attended by Scandinavian technicians.	Odin was also sent to Toulouse for pre-launch testing.

Orbcomm Communications Satellite Constellation
Orbcomm satellites being tested.	Orbcomm satellites being manufactured.	The Orbcomm satellites are controlled from the network control centre.
Eight Orbcomm Satellites integrated to Pegasus.	An Orbcomm satellite.	A stack of Orbcomm satellites.

Rosetta
Rosetta is ESA's attempt to fly a probe to a comet and study it.	Originally due to launch in January 2003, ESA's Rosetta mission was postponed after the entire Ariane 5 fleet was grounded.	Manipulation of Rosetta's lander at CSG facilities.
Once the spacecraft arrives at its target, the lander will detach itself and land on the comet.	The original mission for Rosetta involved gravity assists from Mars and Earth.	The Rosetta lander houses nine scientific experiments to study the composition of a comet.
The Rosetta team involves more than 50 contractors from 16 countries.	Rosetta will send data back to Earth and be controlled via its steerable high-gain antenna dish.

ScanER Ground Station
The ScanER site receives messages from the Resurs-01 satellite.	Resurs O1 satellite view of Italy.	Resurs O1 satellite view of Cyprus.
Map of installations.	MSU-E coverage map.

Sea Launch System
Sea Launch saw a rocket blast off in May 2001.	The Sea Launch facilities are now fully operational.	Liftoff of Zenit-3SL with PAS-9 Satellite, July 28, 2000.
PAS-9 Satellite being transferred from the Payload Processing Facility.	Sea Launch Platform Odyssey prepares to lift Zenit-3SL with PAS-9 Satellite over 150ft from ACS Sea Launch Commander ramp.	Sea Launch rocket components are manufactured in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine (first and second stages); Moscow, Russia (third or "upper" stage); and Seattle, USA (payload fairing and interstage structure).

Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS),
The space-based infrared system (SBIRS) is being developed to provide missile detection and warning capabilities for US defence forces.	The ground system being installed. The system manages transition, launch and mission operations for SBIRS GEO satellites and HEO payloads, and also supports on-orbit operations for the DSP satellites.	The activation ceremony of the unit commanding the SBIRS satellites.

SpaceShipOne / Two Commercial Spacecraft
SpaceShipOne gliding into Mohave Airport after becoming the first privately-funded manned spacecraft to leave the earth's atmosphere.	In October 2004, SpaceShipOne became the first privately-funded manned spacecraft to exceed an altitude of 328,000ft twice in 14 days, thereby winning the $10m Ansari X-Prize.	SpaceShipOne is the first of a family of commercial suborbital and orbital spacecraft that will be owned and operated by the Virgin Galactic spaceline company.
Sunrise over the Mohave desert as SpaceShipOne glides in to land.	The WhiteKnight carrier aircraft carries the SpaceShip vehicles to an altitude of 50,000ft for air launch.	Head of Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson, holding a model of the proposed SpaceShipTwo.
SpaceShipTwo will provide six passengers per flight with the experience of leaving earth's atmosphere.	Possible design of the future Spaceport.	From take-off to an altitude of 50,000ft, the spacecraft is attached to the mothership, the WhiteKnight carrier aircraft.
The SpaceShip passengers will experience zero gravity weightlessness for about five minutes.	The Spaceship Company will develop the SpaceShipTwo suborbital space vehicle, the future orbital space vehicles and the WhiteKnight Two carrier aircraft.	Passengers will be able to carry out physical manoeuvres and exercises in zero gravity and also view the earth and space during the flight.

Stardust
Dust collecter with aerogel used on the NASA craft.	Cometary and Interstellar dust analyser.	The Stardust Navigation Camera.
Dust flux monitor.	Whipple shield.	Upper bus structure.
Stardust arriving at the Kennedy Space Centre.	Stardust is launched.	Diagram of Stardust itself.

Stardust
The dust collecter with aerogel used on the Nasa Stardust craft.	Cometary and interstellar dust analyser.	The Stardust navigation camera.
Dust flux monitor.	Whipple shield.	Upper bus structure.
Stardust arriving at the Kennedy Space Centre.	Stardust being launched.	Diagram of the Stardust probe.

Svalbard Ground Station
An aerial view of the Svalbard Ground Station.	The control centre.	A technician installing part of the data processing equipment.
The ground station.	This gap in the equipment rack was later filled by a satellite status monitoring unit.	The Svalbard Ground Station crew.

Svobodny Launch System
Launch satellites before being sent to the cleanroom at Svobodny.	Svobodny has a spacecraft assembly building.	Equipment has to be stored before assembly.
A rocket arriving at Svobodny. Svobodny is now seeing regular launches.	Clean room activities.	Initially, the satellites are managed from the Cosmodrome mission control centre.

TecSAR
IAI's TecSAR satellite being launched from PSLV Sriharikota.	The TecSAR low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite.	SAR image from the TecSAR satellite.
TecSAR satellite in its integration stage at IAI's MBT Space Division.	Artist's impression of the TecSAR satellite synthetic aperture radar.	The TecSAR satellite on display.

Thor 6
The Thales Alenia space clean room. The Thor 6 satellite is based on the Spacebus 4000 B2 platform by Thales Space.	A Thales research worker. The Thor 6 spacecraft will increase the capacity in the Central and Eastern European regions.	Thor 6 is manufactured by French company Thales Alenia Space, while Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS is the owner and operator of the satellite.

Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) Satellite
The wideband global SATCOM (WGS) system, previously known as the wideband gapfiller satellite system, is a high-capacity communication satellite.	The WGS-1 was launched into orbit on 10 October 2007 on the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle.	The WGS payload. Payload commanding and network control are managed by the army's 53rd Signal Battalion at Peterson AFB, Colorado, with subordinate elements at seven locations.

XMM
The XMM's X-ray mirror in production.	An artist's impression of the XMM in space.	The XMM.
XMM STM assembly and testing at ESTEC.	The tests included space simulation, vibration tests and functional checks.	Acoustic testing on the XMM.

XMM-Newton (X-ray Multi Mirror)
The XMM's X-ray mirror in production.	An artist's impression of the XMM in space.	The XMM.
XMM STM assembly and testing at ESTEC.	XMM STM assembly and testing at ESTEC.	Acoustic testing on the XMM.

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