European Space Agency Flickr Update

Gaia scanning the sky

27-06-2013 02:34 PM CEST

This animation shows the Gaia spacecraft spinning in space scanning the sky.
Gaia's mission relies on the systematic and repeating observation of star positions in two fields of view. As the detectors repeatedly measure the position of each celestial object, they will detect any changes in the object's motion through space.

 To achieve its mission the spacecraft is spinning slowly, sweeping its two telescopes across the entire celestial sphere to make four complete rotations per day.
Gaia's telescopes point at two different portions of the sky, separated by a constant 106.5°. Therefore, objects arrive in the second field of view 106.5 minutes after they are observed in the first.

Meanwhile its spin axis precesses around the Sun with a period of about 63 days, allowing different parts of the sky to be scanned. This scanning strategy builds up an interlocking grid of positions, providing absolute – rather than relative – values of the stellar positions and motions.
The spacecraft spin axis makes an angle of 45° with the Sun direction, ensuring that the payload is shaded from the Sun, but that the solar arrays can still produce electricity efficiently.

Credits: ESA-C.Carreau

Moon-set seen from the ISS

27-06-2013 10:36 AM CEST

ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano snapped this view of moon-set from his privileged position on the International Space Station.

Luca is onboard the orbital outpost as part of ESA's long duration mission, Volare.

If you would like to see more of his images, please visit his dedicated Flickr photostream: Volare Mission.

Credits: ESA/NASA

Europe bids Gaia a safe journey

ESA's billion-star surveyor, Gaia, has completed final preparations in Europe and is ready to depart for its launch site in French Guiana, set to embark on a five-year mission to map the stars with unprecedented precision.

Original Source

European Space Agency Flickr Update

Gaia Sunshade Deployment

24-06-2013 01:55 PM CEST

Animation showing the deployment of Gaia's sunshade. During launch, the 10 m-wide sunshield is stowed against the spacecraft. Shortly after Gaia separates from its launch vehicle, the sunshield is deployed around the base of the spacecraft. It consists of 12 long rectangular panels covered with multilayer insulation blankets, and 12 triangular sections to fill in the gaps.

The shield has two purposes: to shade Gaia's sensitive telescopes and cameras, keeping them cool at a stable temperature below –100ºC, and to provide power to operate the spacecraft. Gaia will always point away from the Sun, so the underside of the skirt is covered with solar panels to generate electricity.

Credits: ESA/ATG Medialab

Unfolding Gaia

Gaia, ESA's billion-star surveyor, will be launched into space towards the end of this year.
 In the meantime, ESA Space Science has launched a new 'minisite' focused on the Gaia mission.
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