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Space Science

China to Launch Solar Telescope 33

Posted by michael from the doesn't-work-in-the-dark dept.
Dirak writes "China plans to launch the world's largest and most advanced space solar telescope (SST) into 735-kilometre-high earth synchronous orbit in 2008. Japan and the United States are also jointly developing an SST, coded as SOLAR-B, now scheduled for launch in the September of 2005. But with a diameter of 0.5 metre, SOLAR-B has half capability in optical resolution than that of the Chinese-made solar telescope."
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China to Launch Solar Telescope More

China to Launch Solar Telescope

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  • My eyes my eyes! 100% to 0% vision in less than 3 seconds!
  • ...I thought that the US was supposed to be the most technologically advanced country...what happened :D
    • It still is.

      When the Chinese can fly their own SR-71, we'll talk again.

      Or scramjet.

      And one day, they might actually have an aircraft carrier.

      On the other hand, research from multiple countries in space exploration is good to foster views from different angles and with different motives (the chinese solar telescope will certainly not be the "baby" of the US Air Force).

      Anyway, this post is full of doo, so I'll go back to sipping on my brew.

      Coffee--brew. Jees.

      • While it is true that the US is is still the leader in technological developments, there are some trends that make it a distinct possibility that this will not be the case for much longer.
        The dual trends of cutting school budgets and funding only scientific projects that are 'christian-approved", can quickly destroy the academic infrastructure that got us the lead in the first place. Americans are NOT genetically more intelligent than other people.

      • it was really more of a tongue in cheek comments, sorry I didn't make my sarcasm a little more evident

        --Jesse
      • They already HAVE an Aircraft carrier. Only one, but they do! The following countries have AC's: ordered by number of AC's, I don't have the precise numbers, but I know it's in that order. USA UK France Russia China Just thought I'd let you in on that.
    • Science projects like this have taken a back seat to "Bush's dream for Mars."

      Don't get me wrong, going to Mars would be a great achievement and I think it should get support, but it is highly unlikely that it will occur anytime in the next 20-25 years. We shouldn't slack off in all unmanned science in space until that point.
      • First off, keep your pants on. it's been less than a year.

        Second, Bush has leaned on congress and got a funding increase for the Mars push when the Senate approved the NASA budget.

        Thirdly, the Moon/Mars push will primarily take budget from the shuttle and ISS once those are done. Some additional funds will be diverted from other projects but science project stuff like this will continue.

        Don't forget the science that will be obtained from manned Moon and Mars missions. Before you flame me about how rob
    • Was the US the most technologically advanced country? Or just the country that made the most use and made the most money of these technological advancements?
    • "I thought that the US was supposed to be the most technologically advanced country"

      When the Chinese are able to put their solar observatory at a libration (a/k/a "LaGrange") point like where SOHO is, then we can start asking this question. Until then, it sounds like they'll have a solar observatory that won't be able to look at the sun for parts of the year.
  • "China to Launch worlds largest Telescope Filter"

    "A giant shutter will close when you do things like point the telescope at Google and Yahoo Headquarters."

  • A synchronous orbit is one where the revolution of the satellite matches the rotation of the earth, thus appearing to be over one place all the time. This is a useful property for communications satellites, and, in particular those providing satellite television (DirecTV, Dish, Voom (ugh, I hate that name), ExpressVu (which, IIRC, is Dish repackaged for the Canadian market, without the benefit of stacked LNBs and multiswitches). It also limits the number of orbital slots available, since satellites have to
    • Actually, the orbital speed, or magnitude of the velocity, is C/t. Speed is a scalar quantity, and velocity is a vector quantity (which, in orbit, is always changing, but remains perpendicular to the surface).

      Just thought I'd mention that before some pedant rips my post to shreds.

    • that where the gravitational attraction matches the centripital force

      Nitpicking - this is true of all orbits. A synchronous orbit is one where the orbital period matches the rotational period of the central body.

      You calculated is correctly, mind you, and seem to have a clear understanding of the issue. Except for that one little part of your explanation.

  • I wonder what they'll end up crashing this one into?

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