The Aurora as seen from the ISS (Image: Soichi Noguchi)
Welcome to another week of the GeekDad Space Report! I reported on three launches last week, one of which, the Space Shuttle Discovery, had already launched by the time the Space Report for last week was posted. The launch of CryoSat-2 successfully launched while the Ariane 5 launch of the dual payload Astra-3B & COMSATBw 2 was delayed and a new launch date has not yet been set.
Launches (Sources: Spaceflight Now World Launch Schedule, Wallops Flight Facility Daily Range Schedule)
Thursday, April 15
Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
Launch Vehicle: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
Launch Pad: Second Launch Pad (SLP) (Map View)
Payload: GSAT-4
Launch Time: 11:00 GMT
Notes: Launch of an experimental communications satellite by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Interesting Hubble Observations
In many ways, all of the Hubble observations are interesting, but here is a list of some of the standouts in the coming week. A more complete list can be found at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) This Week On HST Website.
Dynamical Hypermassive Black Hole Masses
Instrument(s): STIS
UV Studies of a Core Collapse Supernova
Instrument(s): STIS
Infrared Survey of Star Formation Across Cosmic Time
Instrument(s): WFC3
This is a small list of the overall observations. You may also see some of these observations popping up in other weeks as many observation programs consist of several observations over time.
Manned Spaceflight
The Space Shuttle Discovery launched this week and successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS). Part of the payload that the ISS brought to Discovery is the Italian Space Agency built Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, which is used to ferry equipment and supplies back and forth to the ISS. This will be the last time Leonardo is brought back to the Earth. During the next trip for Leonardo on STS-133 in September, it will become a permanent addition to the orbiting laboratory.
Have a great week everyone!
