Hubble: the Next Generation Space Telescope
NASA has extended Hubble’s operations until 2010, but a successor may be launched as early as 2008. This will be the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST).
Scientists using NGST hope to discover and understand even more about our fascinating universe, such as:
• the formation of the first stars and galaxies;
• the evolution of galaxies and the production of elements by stars;
• the process of star and planet formation.
In order to peer back toward the beginning of the universe, NGST will make observations in the infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. NGST is designed to operate in the infrared wavelengths, particularly the mid-infrared part of the spectrum. Its detectors and telescope optics must be kept as cold as possible (excess heat from the telescope itself would create unwanted “background noise”). In addition, NGST’s larger primary mirror will give it ten times Hubble’s light-gathering capability.
China joins the space race
On 17 October 2003 Oliver August reported in The Times:
As China’s first man in space returned to cheering crowds yesterday, Beijing announced plans for a permanent Space laboratory manned by Chinese scientists in competition with the US-Russian station.
“The maiden manned space-flight is the first step of China’s space programme,” said Xie Mingbao, a leading engineer. The next stage would be a space station, he said.
The announcement hints at the country’s growing confidence following the successful launch of the Shenzhou 5, which has triggered feverish interest across China. “Great Leap Skyward,” the China Daily newspaper enthused.
The astronaut Yang Liwei, 38, touched down in his Russian-designed space capsule near the intended landing zone on grassland close to the Mongolian border after circling the Earth 14 times in 21 hours.
“It is a splendid moment in the history of my motherland and also the greatest day of my life,” he said. “The spaceship operated well.”
After only two hours on Earth, Lieutenant Colonel Yang was put on a plane and flown to the capital for interviews, congratulatory photographs and handshakes with China’s leaders. Thousands gathered at Beijing’s millennium monument to cheer his return and hail him a national hero.
The story was splashed across the front pages of most newspapers and many television and radio stations carried blanket coverage of Colonel Yang’s return in his bronze capsule. On the Internet, Chinese expressed feelings of pride, mixed with a few voices warning China could not afford a space programme.
“As a Chinese person, I am very proud of my country,” said one of more than 40,000 messages posted on Chinese portal Sina.com. “Long live the motherland! Long live the Chinese nationality!” State media showed children marvelling at a life-sized model of the Shenzhou 5 during a field trip to the China Science and Technology Museum.
In private, some Chinese are more circumspect. “What is there to be proud of? The Americans are taking strolls on the moon. We’ve just circled the Earth a few times,” said Wang Changlin, a driver. “We’ll never catch up with America.”
China has decided to issue 10.2 million sets of stamps to commemorate the country’s success in putting a man into space. The stamps will show motifs such as “astronaut at work” and “triumphant return”.
Despite its many plans for further space exploration, China has ruled out building an American-style space shuttle. It also disputed foreign estimates of the cost involved in building and launching the craft, claiming the price tag was a mere ?1.5 billion. Western analysts have suggested the 11-year programme will so far have cost China close to ?13 billion.
Mr Xie said 60 per cent of China’s budget was spent on “consumable equipment” such as rocket boosters, while 40 per cent paid for control centres and other technology infrastructure that can be used on future missions.
But despite talk of a permanent space laboratory China has no plans to rush back to the cosmos. Space officlals said the next manned flight was a year or two away. On the list for future flights are spacewalks and exercises in docking two spacecraft.
Among the first to congratulate China was Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, who went on to address fears of military competition in space. He said:
“I am sure that China’s full membership in the family of space powers will serve the cause of peace, security and stability on Earth, the development of science and technology and the progress of world civilization.”
The Russian government sold Beijing the Soyuz design for a three-man space capsule, cutting short development time. Mr Putin played down the extent of well-paid Russian help, which China has kept secret from its people to enhance national pride.
President Putin said:
“This is the well deserved and significant result of the Chinese people’s labour, of the succesful progress of your country on the path of comprehensive development and transformation into a modern world power.”
It was one small, throwaway remark for Yang Liwei, but one giant gaffe for millions of his compatriots.
When China’s first astronaut emerged from his capsule yesterday, touching down near the Mongolian border after orbiting Earth 14 times in 21 hours, there was only one question on the lips of those who gathered around him.
An eager television interviewer asked:
“Is it true that you can see the Great Wall of China from space?”
