#Guiana Space Center

[tatmanblue]

YPSat looks back to Earth from atop Ariane 6 by European Space Agency Via Flickr: An image of Earth acquired by the ESA Young Professionals Satellite payload, YPSat, attached to the upper stage of the inaugural Ariane 6 rocket, launched on 9 July 2024. The YPSat project represents the culmination of about two and a half years of dedication and hard work core team of about 30 Young Professionals from various ESA Establishments, Directorates and disciplines. Sacrificing their spare time, they shouldered the entire responsibility of designing, building and testing the payload before finally witnessing its successful launch. Learn more. Credits: ESA-YPSat

[simonh]

Ariane 6 first liftoff by European Space Agency Via Flickr: Europe’s new rocket Ariane 6 powered Europe into space taking with it a varied selection of experiments, satellites, payload deployers and reentry demonstrations that represent thousands across Europe, from students to industry and experienced space actors. This inaugural flight, designated VA262, is a demonstration flight to show the capabilities and prowess of Ariane 6 in escaping Earth's gravity and operating in space. Nevertheless, it had several passengers on board. Ariane 6 was built by prime contractor and design authority ArianeGroup. In addition to the rocket, the liftoff demonstrated the functioning of the launch pad and operations on ground at Europe's Spaceport. The new custom-built dedicated launch zone was built by France's space agency CNES and allows for a faster turnover of Ariane launches. Ariane 6 is Europe’s newest heavy-lift rocket, designed to provide great power and flexibility at a lower cost than its predecessors. The launcher’s configuration – with an upgraded main stage, a choice of either two or four powerful boosters and a new restartable upper stage – will provide Europe with greater efficiency and possibility as it can launch multiple missions into different orbits on a single flight, while its upper stage will deorbit itself at the end of mission. ESA’s main roles in the Ariane 6 programme is as contracting authority – managing the budget from Member States participating in the Ariane 6 development programme; and as launch system architect – ensuring that the rocket and launch pad infrastructure work together. Ariane 6 is the latest in Europe's Ariane rocket series, taking over from Ariane 5 featuring a modular and versatile design that can launch missions from low-Earth orbit and farther out to deep space. Credits: ESA - M. Pédoussaut

[spaceflight-insider]

Ariane 5 rocket bids adieu after 27 years of service

The final launch of the Ariane 5 rocket. Credit: Arianespace Nearly three decades after its debut launch, Europe’s workhorse Ariane 5 rocket has taken to the skies one last time, carrying a pair of communications satellites bound for geostationary orbit. Continue reading Untitled

[countriesgame]

Please reblog for a bigger sample size!!

If you have any fun facts about the French Guiana, please share and I’ll reblog it!

[fatehbaz]

How is it that a small wedge of the South American continent, long claimed by a major European power and still administered by it, could present a profile of wilderness at the end of the twentieth century? How might this same location on the globe have proved useful for such an unlikely combination of purposes as the resettlement of convicted criminals and the launching of rockets?

French Guiana remains a remarkably insignificant artifact of the political landscape - rarely noticed by most of France, let alone anyone else - as well as one of the least settled regions of the world. It has also hosted two exceptional experiments of the French state: the historical penal colony known in English as “Devil's Island,” which operated between 1852 and 1946, and the contemporary space center that launches the European consortium rocket Ariane, responsible for transporting a good half of the commercial satellites orbiting our globe. [...] Its base, the Guiana Space Center (CSG), indeed lived up to its slogan, becoming “Europe's Spaceport,” a center of high technology near the equator. [...]

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[T]he penal colony begins operation in the middle of the nineteenth century, partly as a substitute for a system of plantation slavery. It conceives of French Guiana as open land for agricultural settlement, fertile ground for a tropical - and French - Australia, where the action of moral reform can translate into a scheme of colonization. [...] [T]hese early hopes are belied by the high mortality of the convicts [...]. Despite periodic calls for reform and increasing international discomfort, the bagne lasts through World War II. It leaves a deep mark on French Guiana, in both symbolic and material terms. As the movement of seventy thousand exiles progresses, the surrounding landscape shifts from a luxuriant field of dreams into a tableau of terror. At the same time, the colony as a whole grows accustomed to the presence of this artificial prison world within it [...].

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The space center begins operation in the second half of the twentieth century, in the midst of the Space Race and in the aftermath of the Algerian War. It conceives of French Guiana as open land for technical experiments and a gateway into equatorial orbit, an even more tropical - and French - Cape Canaveral. [...] [A] regular stream of technicians and engineers arrives to assemble and guide it into space. The initial mandate to provide France with a launch site expands into a focus on commercial satellites, and although local opposition to the project continues, the effects of the enterprise on French Guiana in both symbolic and material terms only deepen. As the Ariane rocket gains importance, the surrounding landscape transforms from an orphan of history into a handmaiden of the future. At the same time, the department grows accustomed to an increased infusion of consumer goods, technical personnel, and [...] a new island with an artificial environment and a powerfully altered social profile.

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At slightly closer range a number of striking structural similarities emerge. Not only do both projects found towns (St. Laurent on the one hand and the new Kourou on the other), but both operate as rival poles of influence and authority relative to the civil administration of French Guiana. Each involves [...] its own hierarchies, its own links to bureaucratic networks in Paris, and its own claims to significant national French interests. Each [...] exerts considerable influence over the surrounding economy. Most crucially, each controls and orders a separate territory within the larger political entity; each has a spatial presence, a direct impact on the landscape. And tied to this spatial strategy, each comes to serve as a symbolic nexus in collective Metropolitan imagination. [...] One employs leftover forces of law and order, whereas the other employs highly trained technical personnel; thus [...] both [...] have ties to the military [...]. The penal colony imports the unwanted of France, whereas the space center imports the selected few. [...]

And the bagne reflects visions of an ancient underworld, whereas Ariane reflects visions of a new overworld. [...]

Many of the specific additional attributes of a desirable site for penal colonization (distance from the Metropole, possibility of confinement and surveillance, and prevention of local disturbance) find echoes in the specific additional attributes of a desirable site for launching rockets (distance from the Metropole, adequate security, adequate possibility of transport, and political stability).[...]

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The penal colony takes shape at a crucial moment in European colonial understandings of place and labor. Slavery had just been abolished in the French Empire, and an accompanying understanding of work in terms of race had far from expended its interpretive force. [...] Work represented the route to a better future, to the growth of new, valuable lands. [...] If slavery were at an end, then the crucial question facing the colony was that of finding an alternative source of labor. During the period of the early penal colony we see this search for new slaves, not only in French Guiana, but also throughout colonies built on the plantation model. Thousands of Asian Indians and Chinese found their way to new homes in different corners of the British Empire, serving as contract laborers on plantations. [...]

Kourou [the space center] is a neutralized, controlled corner of the tropics, with much of its cultural fabric simply imported. Amid the restricted space of artificially cooled buildings and automobiles, in zones free of carrier mosquitoes and amply supplied with wine and cheese airlifted from France, the distance between Paris and Cayenne shortens; the effects of translation between them grow less clear. If the island mimics the mainland successfully, if Crusoe builds a little England - or France - is his task done? [...] To answer this question, let us return to a crucial turning point of Guyane's history: the aftermath of World War II and the period of formal empire. It was during this era that the natural, political, and moral space of French Guiana was neutralized through a combination of DDT spraying, departmentalization, and the final closing of the penal colony. In 1949, a former teacher [...] in Martinique published an overview of the new overseas departments and territories. His description of French Guiana includes a call to arms for its development, a development still conceived in terms of a need for [...] agriculture, and industry [...]. Gold mines aside, it seems that the method of painstaking labor is the only one really applicable at present. Incontestably, there is magnificent work to accomplish there, such as should tempt young men fond of broad horizons and adventure. The appeal is for an army of Crusoes, advancing ashore to improve their collective island. The questions of race and level of expertise filter through patterns of history and perceived practicality. But the call remains, the call of a wilderness inviting domestication.

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All text above by: Peter Redfield. Space in the Tropics: From Convicts to Rockets in French Guiana. 2000. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism purposes.]

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Sentinel-2C operators complete final rehearsals

A quiet atmosphere pervades ESOC's Main Control Room. The operations team is in the process of placing a satellite into orbit. We are one minute away from passing over one ground station and the tension is rising as we eagerly wait to receive the first telemetry from the satellite.

Then, suddenly, an alarm is triggered, the light changes color and crackling sounds can be heard. A fire has broken out in the room. The evacuation is ordered. The control room must be abandoned, and the satellite operations relocated to an adjoining room.

This was just a simulation of what could happen during a satellite's first and most critical moments in space. To ensure a smooth start to operations, the control team must consider every possible scenario, whether it happens in space or on the ground—such as a fire alarm.

This summer, as the launch of the Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite approaches, the control team located at ESOC, ESA's operations center in Germany, has been performing a crucial phase of the launch preparation, reviewing and revising the satellite's and ground segment's plans and procedures to guarantee the success of the mission.

This "team of teams" effort involved more than 40 engineers and scientists—working on the ground segment, flight dynamics, software and networks—all ready to assume control of the satellite following lift off.

After weeks and weeks of simulations, the team has completed this phase and is now fully prepared for the launch and deployment of the European Commission's latest Earth observation mission, to be lifted into orbit by a Vega rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on 4 September at 03:50 CEST.

"This is not the first Sentinel mission we operate here at ESOC. Our experience has helped us standardize our approach so that we are able to test ourselves on the widest range of anomalies while still facing the most challenging situations," says Franco Marchese, Flight Operations Director for Sentinel-2C.

"One of our main challenges has been the knowledge transfer to the partially new team, as the previous models of Sentinel-2 were launched more than seven years ago," says Pete Collins, Deputy Flight Operations Director for Sentinel-2C.

"Our team has been flying Sentinel satellites and performing routine operations, including the A and B models of Sentinel-2, but putting a spacecraft into orbit is always a complex phase with its own unique challenges. We have prepared very well and have achieved this in a relatively short time."

'Like throwing monsters at the operators'

From a room in the basement, the true conductors of the simulation campaign, the simulation officers lead by aerospace engineer Gustavo Bardo Carvalho, are running the show and they always have more than one string to their bow.

"The role of this exercise is to test the team's capabilities to detect problems, adapt their timeline and, more generally, adapt to the scenario under stress and time pressure," explains Gustavo. "It feels like setting up a role-playing game. We confront the team with 'monsters'—in this case, anomalies of minor or major magnitude—and let them come up with solutions, think outside the box, have creative ideas, and learn from their mistakes."

From the simulations room, where flight data is simulated and fed to the control room, Gustavo and his team have been challenging the Sentinel-2C control team with an exhaustive list of issues to solve, from errors injected in the data, to the loss of ground stations, absence of team members (simulated sickness), and instrument and transmission failures.

Some are common and anticipated, others require the mission control team to brainstorm and exercise the communication between many multidisciplinary teams, such as the flight control team, industry partners, flight dynamics, the ESA space debris office, mission control system software and the ground stations.

"We made sure to not necessarily give a clear solution. Just like in real life, sometimes the best response is just to try to avoid the worst consequences, and we always remind them that reality can be much nastier than any simulation we may invent."

Some exceptional scenarios were also included to force the team to adapt without their usual equipment and deviate totally from the nominal timeline, such as space debris hazards, disruptions resulting from the solar wind or the evacuation of the control room.

"Recently, we simulated a space debris collision alert which required the team to make the satellite ready to engage in a collision avoidance maneuver. This meant skipping the usual steps and commissioning the satellite as early as possible."

On top of testing their technical knowledge, the simulation campaign plays a role in building the team.

"There are many events that can harm the team spirit: from people being sick to managers being rude or non-cooperative. We tried to simulate these moments to test the nerves of the team and make them more resilient."

Dress rehearsal

Lastly, teams at ESOC worked with the joint ESA, Arianespace and industry launch team in Kourou to complete the comprehensive final simulation of the countdown and launch sequence.

During the rehearsal, the mission control team received live signals from the satellite via an umbilical connection that will be disconnected shortly before launch. With this last step completed, the mission control team is now ready to launch the satellite.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 2.13 (after 1940)

1945 – World War II: The siege of Budapest concludes with the unconditional surrender of German and Hungarian forces to the Red Army. 1945 – World War II: Royal Air Force bombers are dispatched to Dresden, Germany to attack the city with a massive aerial bombardment. 1951 – Korean War: Battle of Chipyong-ni, which represented the "high-water mark" of the Chinese incursion into South Korea, commences. 1954 – Frank Selvy becomes the only NCAA Division I basketball player ever to score 100 points in a single game. 1955 – Israel obtains four of the seven Dead Sea Scrolls. 1955 – Twenty-nine people are killed when Sabena Flight 503 crashes into Monte Terminillo near Rieti, Italy. 1960 – With the success of a nuclear test codenamed "Gerboise Bleue", France becomes the fourth country to possess nuclear weapons. 1960 – Black college students stage the first of the Nashville sit-ins at three lunch counters in Nashville, Tennessee. 1961 – An allegedly 500,000-year-old rock is discovered near Olancha, California, US, that appears to anachronistically encase a spark plug. 1967 – American researchers discover the Madrid Codices by Leonardo da Vinci in the National Library of Spain. 1975 – Fire at One World Trade Center (North Tower) of the World Trade Center in New York. 1978 – Hilton bombing: A bomb explodes in a refuse truck outside the Hilton Hotel in Sydney, Australia, killing two refuse collectors and a policeman. 1979 – An intense windstorm strikes western Washington and sinks a 0.5-mile (0.80 km) long section of the Hood Canal Bridge. 1981 – A series of sewer explosions destroys more than two miles of streets in Louisville, Kentucky. 1983 – A cinema fire in Turin, Italy, kills 64 people. 1984 – Konstantin Chernenko succeeds the late Yuri Andropov as general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. 1990 – German reunification: An agreement is reached on a two-stage plan to reunite Germany. 1991 – Gulf War: Two laser-guided "smart bombs" destroy the Amiriyah shelter in Baghdad. Allied forces said the bunker was being used as a military communications outpost, but over 400 Iraqi civilians inside were killed. 1996 – The Nepalese Civil War is initiated in the Kingdom of Nepal by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre). 2001 – An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter magnitude scale hits El Salvador, killing at least 944. 2004 – The Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics announces the discovery of the universe's largest known diamond, white dwarf star BPM 37093. Astronomers named this star "Lucy" after The Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". 2007 – Taiwan opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou resigns as the chairman of the Kuomintang party after being indicted on charges of embezzlement during his tenure as the mayor of Taipei; Ma also announces his candidacy for the 2008 presidential election. 2008 – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd makes a historic apology to the Indigenous Australians and the Stolen Generations. 2010 – A bomb explodes in the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India, killing 17 and injuring 60 more. 2011 – For the first time in more than 100 years the Umatilla, an American Indian tribe, are able to hunt and harvest a bison just outside Yellowstone National Park, restoring a centuries-old tradition guaranteed by a treaty signed in 1855. 2012 – The European Space Agency (ESA) conducted the first launch of the European Vega rocket from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. 2017 – Kim Jong-nam, brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, is assassinated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. 2021 – Former U.S. President Donald Trump is acquitted in his second impeachment trial. 2021 – A major winter storm causes blackouts and kills at least 82 people in Texas and northern Mexico.

[ammg-old2]

Since the European Space Agency launched NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope from French Guiana, on Christmas Day, 2021, the telescope has hovered in space about a million miles from Earth. During its voyage, the J.W.S.T. unfolded like a piece of origami, releasing an array of solar panels, a powerful antenna, a honeycomb of golden mirrors, and a sunshield that looks like a set of silver sails. Scientists then spent more than three months aligning its mirrors with nanometre precision. About a year after the telescope released its first images, Jane Rigby, the top NASA scientist working on the project, told me that it has “performed not only better than requirements but better than we could have possibly dreamed.” Recently, the Webb helped to show that galaxies in the first billion years of the universe were more active than previously thought, forming lots of stars in big bursts. “There were predictions, but this was terra incognita, past the cliff of what Hubble could do, and expectations were all over the map,” Rigby told me. “Where we had ignorance, we now have beautiful data.” Recently, in celebration of the telescope’s first year of science operations, the Webb team published an anniversary image of stars being born in the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, the stellar nursery closest to Earth.

The first telescopes were made of two pieces of rounded glass in a tube. Galileo Galilei discovered Jupiter’s moons, and thus showed that the Earth was not the center of the universe, with a telescope that could magnify twenty times. Six decades later, Isaac Newton completed the first successful reflecting telescope, using a concave mirror that concentrated light much more efficiently. Over the centuries, telescopes have grown and improved enough to spot increasingly faint and faraway celestial objects. The Webb represents a culmination of this progression. It is a hundred times as powerful as the Hubble Space Telescope and sees infrared light that is invisible to the human eye. (Light falls on a spectrum from longer wavelengths to shorter wavelengths: infrared, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, ultraviolet.) It was designed, in part, to gather light that has been travelling to Earth since shortly after the Big Bang. When astronomers point its mirror toward the edges of space, it sees the universe as it was thirteen billion years ago—close to the literal dawn of time.

Rigby works at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, Maryland, and has been part of the James Webb Space Telescope team since 2010, as an astrophysicist and, since June, as the J.W.S.T.’s senior project scientist. We spoke via video chat during her lunch break; while I asked her questions, she jabbed a fork into a Tupperware that she had brought from home, and then chewed thoughtfully as she considered her answers. She is an animated storyteller, often punctuating her points with hand gestures and minor adjustments to her black horn-rimmed glasses. I asked her about the telescope’s peculiar design, the ways that astronomy shapes our everyday lives, and the gaps in human knowledge which the Webb has already started to fill in. Our conversation has been edited and condensed.

[michaelgabrill]

NASA CubeSat Launches as Rideshare on ESAs First Ariane 6 Rocket

NASA launched CURIE (CubeSat Radio Interferometry Experiment) as a rideshare payload on the inaugural flight of ESA’s (European Space Agency) Ariane 6 rocket, which launched at 4 p.m. GFT on July 9 from Europe’s Spaceport, the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, in French Guiana. Designed by a team from the University of California, Berkeley, CURIE […] from NASA https://ift.tt/RChDgEX

[vipinmishra]

Space Launch Services Market: Intense Competition and Cost Pressures Drive Innovation

Intense competition, cost pressures, and the need for innovative technologies are the factors driving market in the forecast period 2024-2028

According to TechSci Research report, “Space Launch Services Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2028”, the Global Space Launch Services Market stood at USD 8.73 Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 7.44% in the forecast period, 2024-2028The Global Space Launch Services Market is a dynamic and vital component of the space industry, serving as the gateway to accessing space for various missions and payloads. It encompasses a wide range of launch providers, technologies, and services that enable the deployment of satellites, scientific instruments, interplanetary probes, and more. This market is characterized by its adaptability to cater to the diverse needs of commercial, government, and scientific customers, with a strong emphasis on reliability, cost-efficiency, and innovation.

The market is experiencing a transformation driven by the influx of private space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, challenging traditional space agencies and offering competitive launch services. These companies are pioneering reusable launch technologies, reducing launch costs, and fostering an environment of innovation and cost-efficiency. Additionally, the market's growth is significantly influenced by the small satellite revolution, as miniaturized satellites for Earth observation, global connectivity, and scientific research create a surge in demand for dedicated and rideshare missions.

Environmental considerations and space debris mitigation are increasingly important in the market. Launch providers are under pressure to adhere to strict environmental regulations and contribute to responsible space activities. As a result, they are developing eco-friendly propulsion technologies and minimizing their environmental footprint to ensure sustainable and long-term operations. Geopolitical factors and government policies play a significant role in shaping the market. Changes in export controls, international relations, and space regulations can impact market dynamics and customer relationships, introducing an element of unpredictability.

The market is further diversified by its capability to support a wide range of orbit types, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), catering to diverse missions, from Earth observation to deep space exploration. In summary, the Global Space Launch Services Market is characterized by a competitive landscape driven by private space companies, a growing demand for small satellite launches, sustainability considerations, and the influence of geopolitical factors. It continues to adapt to meet the evolving needs of the space industry, supporting missions that range from satellite deployments to lunar exploration and beyond.

Browse over XX market data Figures spread through XX Pages and an in-depth TOC on " Global Space Launch Services Market” https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/space-launch-services-market/22596.html

North America: North America, particularly the United States, stands as a global leader in the space launch sector. The region hosts a plethora of launch providers, with SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Northrop Grumman being key players. It is home to iconic launch facilities such as the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex. North America's dominance is evident in its strong presence in commercial, government, and military space programs. The presence of private space companies like Blue Origin further reinforces the region's position as a leader in the market.

Europe: Europe is a notable region in the market, anchored by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace. The Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana is a prime launch site, offering equatorial launch advantages for satellites deploying into geostationary orbit. European launch providers are recognized for their reliability and serve both commercial and government clients. Europe is also expanding its role in interplanetary missions and lunar exploration.

Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing remarkable growth in space launch activities, with China's CNSA making significant strides. China has developed its launch capabilities and actively participates in lunar exploration and Mars missions. India's ISRO also contributes to the region's growth by launching satellites for Earth observation and communication. Moreover, the presence of private launch providers, such as Rocket Lab in New Zealand, adds to the region's appeal.

Russia: Russia maintains its significance in the market, especially in launching heavy payloads into space. The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan serves as a key spaceport for Russian launches. Despite increasing competition, Russia retains its market share through reliable and cost-effective launch services.

Middle East and Africa: The Middle East, led by the UAE, is emerging as a new player in the space launch sector. The UAE has established the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and launched Mars missions, expanding its presence in the market. Africa, though in the early stages of space development, presents growth opportunities for the future.

South America: South America is a significant player in the market, primarily due to the Guiana Space Centre. This spaceport, operated by Arianespace, is a desirable choice for international customers seeking reliable and precise satellite deployments into geostationary orbit.

These regional insights highlight the global nature of the space launch industry, with multiple regions contributing to its vibrancy. Each region's competitive landscape, regulatory environment, and strategic partnerships influence the market's growth and shape its trajectory. As the space industry continues to evolve, regional dynamics will play a critical role in determining the industry's future.

Major companies operating in Global Space Launch Services Market are:

Antrix Corporation Limited

International Launch Services Inc.

Arianespace

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Eurockot Launch Services

ISC Kosmotras

China Great Wall Industry Corporation

Orbital ATK

SpaceX

US Spaceflight Industries, Inc.

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“In the Global Space Launch Services Market, the shift toward reusability and cost-effective access to space driven by private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin is transforming the industry. These advancements are making space more accessible for a wider range of applications, from Earth observation and global connectivity to planetary exploration. The market's future will likely witness continued innovation, heightened sustainability efforts, and a growing focus on international collaborations to meet the diverse demands of a burgeoning space economy,” said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research-based management consulting firm.

“Space Launch Services Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Orbit Type (LEO, MEO, GEO, and Others), By Launch Vehicle (Small Lift Launch Vehicle, Medium Lift Launch Vehicle, and Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle), By Payload (Satellite, Cargo, Human Spacecraft, and Testing Probes), By Region, Competition, 2018-2028”, has evaluated the future growth potential of Global Space Launch Services Market and provides statistics & information on market size, structure, and future market growth. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment decisions. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges, and opportunities in Global Space Launch Services Market.

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[spacenutspod]

One of the largest reentries in recent years, ESA’s ERS-2 satellite is coming down this week. After almost three decades in orbit, an early Earth-observation satellite is finally coming down this week. The European Space Agency’s (ESA) European Remote Sensing satellite ERS-2 is set to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere on or around Wednesday, February 21st. A Trail Blazing Mission Launched atop an Ariane-4 rocket from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana on April 21st, 1995, ERS-2 was one of ESA’s first Earth observation satellites. ERS-2 monitored land masses, oceans, rivers, vegetation and the polar regions of the Earth using visible light and ultraviolet sensors. The mission was on hand for several natural disasters, including the flood of the Elbe River across Germany in 2006. ERS-2 ceased operations in September 2011. Anatomy of the reentry of ERS-2. ESA ERS-2 was placed in a retrograde, Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit, inclined 98.5 degrees relative to the equator. This orbit is typical for Earth-observing and clandestine spy satellites, as it allows the mission to image key target sites at the same relative Sun angle, an attribute handy for image interpretation. ERS-2 tracks and ice floe. ESA The Last Days of ERS-2 Reentry predictions for the satellite are centered on February 21st at 00:19 Universal Time (UT)+/- 25 hours. As we get closer, expect that time to get refined. The mass of ERS-2 at launch (including fuel) was 2,516 kilograms. Expect most of the satellite to burn up on reentry. The orbital path of ERS-2. Orbitron For context, recent high profile reentries include the UARS satellite (6.5 tons, in 2011), and the massive Long March-5B booster that launched the core module for China’s Tiangong Space Station in late 2022 (weighing in at 23 tons). ERS-2 in the clean room on Earth prior to launch. ESA ESA passed its first space debris mitigation policy in 2008, 13 years after ERS-2 was launched. In 2011, ESA decided to passively reenter the satellite, and began a series of 66 deorbiting maneuvers to bring its orbit down from 785 kilometers to 573 kilometers. Its fuel drained and batteries exhausted, ERS-2 is now succumbing to the increased drag of the Earth’s atmosphere as we near the peak of the current solar cycle. Flooding in Prague, seen by ERS-2. ESA Tracking the Reentry Tracking the satellite is as simple as knowing where and when to look. The ID number for ERS-2 is 1995-021A/23560. ESA has a site set up dedicated to tracking the decay of ERS-2. Aerospace.Org, Space-Track and Heavens-Above are other good sites to follow the end of ERS-2. Expect the satellite to be a real ‘fast mover’ on its final passes. We saw UARS on its final orbit, flashing as it tumbled swiftly across the sky. Taking out ERS-2 highlights the growing dilemma posed by space junk. There are currently over 25,800 objects in Earth orbit. That amount is growing exponentially as the annual launch cadence increases. 2023 saw a record 212 launches reach orbit, and 2024 is on track to break that number. The rise of mega-constellations such as SpaceX’s Starlink is adding to this burden. The Age of Space Debris Space junk adds to the number of artificial ‘stars’ seen whizzing across the night sky, impacts astronomical sky surveys, and poses a hazard to crewed missions and the International Space Station and the Tiangong Space Station. Reentries also contaminate the atmosphere, and a recent study suggests that mega-constellations may even impact the Earth’s magnet field. And while it’s mainly wealthier countries in the northern hemisphere that are launching satellites, the global south disproportionately bears the brunt of uncontrolled reentries. Finally, all of these are consequences we don’t fully understand and are worthy of further study. For now, you can still track the demise of ERS-2, as it comes to a fiery end this week. The post European Satellite ERS-2 to Reenter Earth’s Atmosphere This Week appeared first on Universe Today.

[projectourworld]

Silence for the snake show by Hadrien Lalagüe, France. Winner, behaviour: birds

Hadrien Lalagüe is rewarded for his patience with a perfect alignment of grey-winged trumpeters watching a boa slither past. Hadrien set up his camera trap by a track in the rainforest surrounding Guiana Space Center. He spent the next six months maintaining the camera kit against high humidity, plastic-munching ants and damage by poachers. This image was his reward. Trumpeters – named for their loud calls – spend most of their time foraging on the forest floor, eating ripe fruits, insects and the occasional small snake. The boa constrictor, more than 3 metres (9.8ft) long, could have made a meal of them. Location: Guiana Space Center, between Kourou and Sinnamary, French Guiana

Photograph: Hadrien Lalagüe/2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year /Courtesy: Guardian Newspaper #snake #show #boaconstrictor

[manessha545]

Ariane 5

Launch vehicle

Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, is seen at the launch pad, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at Europe’s Spaceport, the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history—from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Chris Gunn)

Ariane 5 is a retired European heavy-lift space launch vehicle developed and operated by Arianespace for the European Space Agency. It was launched from the Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana. It was used to deliver payloads into geostationary transfer orbit, low Earth orbit or further into space

Ariane 5 - Wikipedia

Webb liftoff on Ariane 5 by europeanspaceagency The James Webb Space Telescope lifted off on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, at 13:20 CET on 25 December on its exciting mission to unlock the secrets of the Universe.

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Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja https://flic.kr/p/2mU15zY

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French Guiana

French Guiana is a department of France situated in South America, bordering Brazil, Suriname, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is an overseas region of France and is the only non-independent territory on the South American continent. It covers an area of 83,534 square kilometers and is home to around 296,711 people. French Guiana's capital city is Cayenne. The region is known for its dense Amazonian rainforest, tepuis (table-top mountains), and rivers, with the Maroni and Oyapock rivers forming borders with neighboring countries. The Amazon rainforest covers almost all of the region's land, making it an important biodiversity hotspot. The official language is French, and the Euro is the official currency used in the region. While French Guiana's economy is largely dependent on the French government, fishing and gold mining are vital contributors to the region's economy. The Guiana Space Centre, one of the world's most significant spaceports, is also located in French Guiana and is operated by the French government. French Guiana's climate is tropical, with high levels of humidity and temperatures ranging between 26°C and 32°C on average. The rainy season typically falls between December and July, while the dry season lasts from August through November. While French Guiana is a part of France, it is still quite unique, and there are significant differences between the department and the rest of the country. Unlike mainland France, the department is situated within South America and boasts a unique blend of cultures and traditions. The region is also home to a diverse population of ethnic groups, including Creoles, Amerindians, and Maroons. French Guiana's culture is a fusion of various traditions influenced by its history and the different immigrant groups that have settled in the region over the years. The department is an excellent place for ecotourism, featuring many natural landmarks and animal species. Along with national parks, a popular attraction in French Guiana is the Guiana Space Centre, which attracts many international visitors due to the many rocket launches that take place at the spaceport. Despite its small size, French Guiana's unique blend of culture, natural beauty, and scientific advancements make it a fascinating region to explore and learn about.

Etymology

French Guiana, also known as Guiana, is a French overseas region located on the northeast coast of South America. The name "Guiana" comes from an Amerindian language, meaning "Land of Many Waters." The name is fitting as the region is home to numerous rivers and waterways, including the Amazon and its tributaries. The term "French Guiana" was first used by the French when they laid claim to the region in the 17th century. The name was given to distinguish it from the neighboring territories of British Guiana (now Guyana) and Dutch Guiana (now Suriname). French Guiana's name reflects its complex history and cultural heritage. The region has been home to various indigenous peoples for thousands of years before being colonized by the French and becoming a part of the larger French colonial empire in the 19th century. The region is also known for its rich biodiversity and unique flora and fauna. Today, French Guiana is an important center for space exploration and research, with the Guiana Space Centre being located in Kourou. The name French Guiana reflects the region's ties to France and its contributions to science and technology.

History

French Guiana has a rich history stretching back to pre-Columbian times. The indigenous Amerindian tribes, including the Kalina, Wayampi, and Arawak, were the first inhabitants of the region. However, during the 17th century, European explorers began arriving in the area, and French traders established settlements along the coast. In 1664, French Guiana officially became a French colony, and the region was used primarily as a penal colony throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Thousands of prisoners were sent from France to work on plantations and in gold mines. Conditions were harsh, and many prisoners perished due to disease and mistreatment. In the late 19th century, French Guiana underwent significant changes, and it became a center for scientific research. The French government funded numerous expeditions to study the region's flora, fauna, and geology. Some of the most notable expeditions were led by naturalist Alfred Wallace and geologist Charles Darwin. During World War II, French Guiana played an essential role in the allied war effort. The United States government constructed a military base in the region, and troops were stationed there to protect against Nazi submarines. In the 1960s, French Guiana began a new phase of development, and the focus shifted to space exploration. The European Space Agency built the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, which is the world's busiest satellite launch site. The center is responsible for launching satellites for both European and American clients. Despite its intriguing past, French Guiana is a territory that is often overlooked in discussions of South American history. This region's history is complex and multilayered, and it's worth exploring for those interested in colonialism, indigenous cultures, and scientific exploration. Geology The unique and rugged landscape of French Guiana owes much to its geological history. The region is characterized by rocky plateaus, rolling hills, and dense forests, all of which are the result of millions of years of tectonic activity, erosion, and deposition. French Guiana lies on the northern edge of the Amazonian Craton, a stable and ancient geological region that forms the foundation of much of South America. However, the region is not entirely stable. The Guiana Shield, an area of ancient rock that extends across much of northern South America, was formed billions of years ago by volcanic activity and has been subject to tectonic uplift and folding. The landscape of French Guiana has been shaped by the slow wearing away of the Guiana Shield, which has exposed a variety of rock formations, including sandstone, shale, and limestone. The region is also rich in mineral resources, including gold, bauxite, and diamonds. The most prominent feature of the landscape, however, is the Amazon Rainforest, which covers more than 90% of French Guiana. The dense vegetation is the result of a combination of weather patterns, soil conditions, and a wet and humid climate. The region's geological heritage also plays a crucial role in shaping the biodiversity of the area. The unique combination of rock formations, soils, and climate has led to the evolution of a vast array of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. French Guiana is also home to several geological formations of unique interest to scientists and tourists alike. One of the most stunning is the Devil's Island, an infamous former penal colony that sits atop a rocky outcrop on the northeast coast of the region. The island is the site of several unusual geological features, including rugged cliffs, sea caves, and a stunning natural arch. the landforms and geology of French Guiana are as exciting and unique as the flora and fauna that call this region home. Whether you're a geology enthusiast or just an appreciator of natural beauty, this South American gem offers something for everyone. Geography French Guiana is the smallest region of France, located in the northeastern coast of South America. It is bordered by Suriname to the west, Brazil to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. The region's geography mainly comprises of low-lying coastal plains and the Guiana Highlands, a mountain range in the southern part of the region. The coastal plains occupy most of the region's area and are covered with mangrove swamps, marshlands, and savannas. These marshlands are home to various waterbirds, such as herons, egrets, and flamingos. The savannas are a mix of grasslands, scrub bushes, and small forests, and are inhabited by various bird species and capybaras. The Guiana Highlands, on the other hand, are part of the old Guiana Shield and are mainly composed of granite and crystalline rocks. The highest peak in the region, Montagne des Chevaux at 845 meters, is located in this mountain range. The Guiana Highlands are covered in lush rainforests and are home to various plant and animal species endemic to the region. The region is also home to many rivers, with the Maroni river acting as the natural boundary between French Guiana and Suriname. Other major rivers include the Oyapock, Sinnamary, and Approuague. These rivers are home to various species of fish, including piranhas, and are crucial to the region's fishing industry. French Guiana also has a few offshore islands, including the Salvation Islands, an archipelago famous for its historical use as a penal colony. The largest of these islands, Devil's Island, is now a tourist attraction and is known for its beautiful beaches. French Guiana's diverse geography plays a vital role in the region's economy and ecosystem. The region's coastal plains, highlands, rivers, and islands are home to various plant and animal species and provide various resources to the region's residents. Ecology One of the most fascinating aspects of French Guiana is its diverse environmental ecosystem. Located in South America, the region features an array of wetlands, rainforests, and savannas that are home to a variety of unique species. The Amazon rainforest covers a significant portion of French Guiana, accounting for about 90 percent of the total area. This vast expanse of greenery is home to several endangered species of plants and animals, which makes it an essential area of global significance. The region's wetlands and savannas, on the other hand, feature a wide range of animals such as capybaras, sloths, tapirs, and caimans. The coastal areas of French Guiana are mainly covered by mangroves. These forests are essential in protecting the coastline from storms and flooding. Mangroves are also home to several species of birds that are integral to the area's ecological balance. With over 4,000 recorded species of plants and animals, French Guiana boasts an immensely diverse ecological system. The region's most iconic wildlife is the giant sea turtle, which nests in large numbers on the beaches near Mana and Awala-Yalimapo. French Guiana also has the largest number of primate species in the world, with over 13 different species living in the region. The country’s rivers, such as the Maroni, which borders Suriname, is home to several species of fish, including the popular Piranha. The Amazon, Oyapock, and Approuague rivers all contribute to the overall diversity of the region's aquatic ecosystem. Despite the impressive diversity of species and natural resources, French Guiana faces environmental challenges, including deforestation, air pollution, and improper waste disposal, which can harm the population and contribute to the disruption of the ecological balance. Efforts have been made to address these issues, and the region has implemented several conservation measures and policies that have helped protect indigenous species and ecosystems. French Guiana's ecological system is a beautiful and unique aspect of the region. The lush rainforests, wetlands, mangroves, and savannas provide a home for a diverse array of species, making it a vital area of global environmental significance. The challenges faced in ensuring the region's ecological balance underscores the importance of continued efforts to protect and preserve the region's natural habitats. Biodiversity Biodiversity in French Guiana is a topic of great interest due to the abundance of unique flora and fauna found in the region. The tropical rainforests, savannas, and wetlands allow for a wide variety of species to thrive. French Guiana is known to have one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. The region is home to over 6,000 plant species, many of which are endemic to the area, meaning they can only be found in French Guiana. The forests are made up of different types of trees, including mahogany, greenheart, and cedar. there are over 500 species of birds in French Guiana, including the harpy eagle and toucan. French Guiana is also home to numerous species of mammals, including jaguars, tapirs, sloths, and anteaters. The region’s rivers and wetlands provide habitats for caimans, piranhas, and otters. French Guiana’s coastal waters are known for their diverse marine life, including coral reefs, sea turtles, and dolphins. One of the most unique species found in French Guiana is the Guiana Crested Eagle, which is one of the rarest birds of prey in the world. This bird was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the 21st century in the forests of French Guiana. Another notable species is the giant otter, which can grow up to 6 feet long and is known for its playful behavior in the water. In order to protect the biodiversity of French Guiana, the government has established protected areas and national parks throughout the region. These areas are designed to preserve the natural habitats of the flora and fauna, while also allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the region. The Kaw-Roura Nature Reserve, for example, is one such area that is home to a wide variety of bird species and other wildlife. French Guiana's biodiversity is not only important for the region, but for the world as a whole. The unique species found in the region can provide valuable information for scientific research and can also be used for medicinal purposes. It's important to continue to protect and preserve the biodiversity of French Guiana for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

Jaguars Climate French Guiana has a tropical equatorial climate, characterized by high humidity and frequent rainfall throughout the year. The annual temperature typically ranges between 75-90°F (24-32°C), with minimal variation during the seasons. However, the region experiences two distinct seasons - a rainy season from December to July and a dry season from August to November. During the rainy season, the rainfall ranges from heavy to moderate, and the region experiences thunderstorms and gusty winds. On the other hand, the dry season is characterized by a relatively low amount of rainfall, and often, the region experiences forest fires and drought. Furthermore, French Guiana is on the path of the South Atlantic High, which brings in variable winds across the region. These can range from light breezes to strong gusts, causing an increase in humidity levels and rain showers. Due to the region's location near the equator, the length of daylight hours remains fairly constant throughout the year, with 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. However, during the rainy season, cloud cover can limit the amount of sunshine, and visibility can be reduced, which can affect outdoor activities. If you plan to visit French Guiana, it is recommended to check the weather forecast beforehand and pack accordingly. Light, breathable clothing is ideal as temperatures can be high, and it is also recommended to carry a jacket or raincoat in case of an unexpected shower. Mosquito repellent is also a must-have item due to the high prevalence of mosquitoes in the region, particularly during the rainy season. French Guiana experiences a rainy and dry season, which brings in variations in climate and weather patterns. Humidity, rainfall, and temperature levels remain relatively constant throughout the year, with an equatorial tropical climate prevalent in the region. Visitors should be mindful of these weather patterns and prepare accordingly, ensuring that they take the necessary measures to make their stay in French Guiana a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Environmental Issues French Guiana faces various environmental challenges that affect the biodiversity and natural habitat of the region. One of the significant challenges in the region is illegal gold mining. The gold mining process involves deforestation, which disrupts the ecological system and destroys the habitats of wildlife. It also leads to soil erosion, which alters the land structure and causes water pollution, damaging aquatic animals. Another environmental issue is the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture. The chemicals used in farming are harmful to the environment, particularly to aquatic animals and birds. Pesticides and fertilizers run off into nearby water sources, causing water pollution and harming aquatic plants and animals. the chemicals can accumulate in the soil, making it unsuitable for agriculture over time. Deforestation due to logging and farming is also a significant environmental issue in French Guiana. The forest serves as a habitat for a wide range of species, and the loss of trees reduces biodiversity. Illegal logging causes income loss for the government and its people, damaging the economy and affecting the livelihood of the populace. Climate change is another environmental challenge in the region. The increasing global temperature has led to rising sea levels, more severe weather conditions, and an increased frequency of natural disasters. Changes in weather patterns have affected agriculture in the region, leading to a decline in yields. To address these environmental challenges, the local government has implemented measures to protect the environment. The government enforces laws that regulate and restrict illegal mining activities, logging, and the use of chemicals in farming. The government also promotes sustainable agriculture practices, such as agroforestry, to preserve the biodiversity of the region. French Guiana faces environmental issues that affect the natural habitat and its people. The government has put measures in place to reduce the harmful impact of human activities on the environment and promote sustainable practices. It is important to continue implementing strategies that support the preservation of the region's ecosystem to ensure a healthy and stable future for the region.

Politics

French Guiana is an overseas department of France and has been since 1946. As such, it shares the same political structures and governance as the rest of France. The President of France has an elected prefect who represents him in French Guiana, acting as the highest authority of the region. The prefect is assisted by a number of other officials, such as the Sub-Prefects and the Mayors of the different cities in the region. French Guiana sends two representatives to the French National Assembly and one senator to the French Senate to represent them on the national level. The French Guianese also have the right to vote in national French elections and referendums, making them fully integrated into the political system of France. However, despite being a part of France, French Guiana has its own regional council that is responsible for managing the region's budget, infrastructure, and other local affairs. Read the full article

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When is The Last European Ariane 5 Rocket Launch?

When is The Last European Ariane 5 Rocket Launch?The last Ariane 5 rocket was brought to the platform on Monday at the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s South American spaceport. Ariane 5, which for quite a long time was the world’s driving business satellite launcher, is planned to make its last takeoff on Tuesday, conveying a French military satellite and a correspondences innovation testbed … Read the full article

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Explained the mission of the USAF WC-135R aircraft near the Brazilian coast

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 19/01/2023 - 08:01 in Brazil, Military

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On Monday (16/01), a rare WC-135R Constant Phoenix aircraft of the U.S. Air Force, also known as a "nuclear mower", made a flight near the coast of South America, but precisely from Brazil, as we report here. USAF has now explained the reason for the flight.

According to The War Zone website, the U.S. Air Force confirmed that the recent flight was unusual because it was the first time it conducted an assortment of air sampling outside the continental United States. This type of aircraft, converted from a C-135, "con Regularly performs missions to collect data that can be used to help monitor unusual peaks in atmospheric radiation," according to the USAF. Aircraft can also be used to help collect data after nuclear weapons tests or other radiological incidents and track the spread of potentially hazardous radioactive material.

WC-135R, with serial number 64-14836, carried out this flight in coordination with the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on January 16, departing from Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico. The aircraft followed a route that took it west, leaving the Caribbean Sea and entering the southern end of the Atlantic Ocean. Then he followed a path along the coasts of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil. When he was near the coast of Rio de Janeiro, about 6,000 feet away, he turned around and returned to Puerto Rico, on a flight that lasted about 15 hours.

Throughout the flight the aircraft remained in international airspace. A flight tracking website showed that at least one USAF KC-10A Extender air refueling tanker was used to support the time-consuming mission. This KC-10 aircraft also flew six days ago with the ATOM01 sign (instead of Cobra) for the first time since it was reactivated last year. This was a cemetery aircraft that was saved and brought back to life with upgrades.

"This is... the first 'OCONUS' deployment (outside the Continental United States) for #836," Susan Romano, Director of Public Relations at the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) confirmed to The War Zone in a statement. "The aircraft was able to carry more than 90,000 pounds of fuel - the largest air-to-air refueling in cargo for the jet since the AFTAC and the 55th Wing in Offutt [Air Force Base] in Nebraska, which hosts No. 836."

The site also explains that this particular flight was a so-called "baseline" collection mission to collect air samples that are used to establish how atmospheric radiation levels should be under normal conditions. This is mainly done as part of the application of the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which prohibits signatories from conducting nuclear weapons tests outdoors, as well as in space and underwater. Subsequent detection of high levels of radiation may point to tests of nuclear weapons in violation of the treaty, or by countries that are not part of that agreement, as well as other radiological events.

Members of the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, part of the 55th Wing, fly and maintain the Constant Phoenix aircraft. The staff of the 21st AFTAC Surveillance Squadron is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the actual mission equipment inside the jets.

The WC-135R “64-14836” aircraft was recently modernized and returned to the USAF inventory in July 2022. Two other modernized aircraft are expected to enter service with USAF, with no scheduled date yet.

Although flights of the Constant Phoenix aircraft are carried out in various parts of the globe, the South American route is rare. "This was the first collection of overstrained WC-135 on the central east coast of South America in almost 30 years," confirmed Romano, AFTAC spokesman to The War Zone. "Flying in a different geographical area helps to establish a baseline of debris in the atmosphere, which is important to keep the world safe."

This is not, however, the only time that Constant Phoenix aircraft have been flying on missions from Puerto Rico in coordination with SOUTHCOM since the 1990s. One of the previous WC-135 performed at least three of these flights, collectively referred to as Coral Phoenix missions, in 2008, according to disqualified parts of an annual history of the Air Combat Command (ACC) previously obtained by the The Wars Zone website through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

A brief mention of the three Phoenix Coral missions that one of the Air Force WC-135s conducted from Puerto Rico in 2008, taken from a disqualified copy of the annual history of that year's ACC command. (Photo: USAF via FOIA)

The 64-14836 flight in South America was also his second operational mission, overall, according to Romano of AFTAC. The aircraft performed its first air sampling overs some time after its delivery in July last year from the continental United States in coordination with the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM).

Although 64-14836 is certainly not new - the "64" in its serial number is the fiscal year in which it was purchased - it has received several updates, including more modern CFM-56 turbofan engines, over the years. The older WC-135C/Ws had Pratt & Whitney TF-33 engines much less capable and with more intensive maintenance, and a project that came out of production completely in 1985.

“I am extremely proud of the aviators who executed this collection overrun,” said Air Force Colonel James A. Finlayson, AFTAC command, in a statement provided to The War Zone. "It takes a lot of collaboration to coordinate all the moving parts in missions like these."

"This mission is important, not only for the United States, but for our allies and citizens of the world who benefit from AFTAC's analysis of atmospheric debris and sample collection," Colonel Finlayson continued. "Thank you to the U.S. Southern Command for its assistance and supervision as well."

In total, although it is not yet known if there will be more flights through Latin America in the future of 64-14836, the two outs of the jet in the last six months are just the beginning of its new nuclear weapons detection career.

Source: The War Zone

Tags: Military AviationbrazilUSAF - United States Air Force / US Air ForceWC-135 Constant Phoenix

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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