European space mission set for take off
The European cluster space mission, including four identical spacecraft, will be launched in two phases in July and August this year from Kazakhstan. Once launched, the spacecraft will meet up and fly in close formation around Earth, gathering information on how the Sun affects the weather in space. Variations in the weather in space are known to have profound impacts on the satellites people use every day for communication, navigation and weather forecasting, according to the UK's Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC). The first attempt to launch this mission was stymied in 1996 when the rocket used to launch the spacecraft (the first ever Ariane 5) exploded seconds after take off. Four new cluster spacecraft have since been built and will be launched in pairs from separate Soyuz rockets, which are regularly used to fly to the Mir space station. The cluster mission will look particularly at the nature of solar storms that constantly threaten to damage satellites and are also responsible for the displays of 'aurorae' - the Northern and Southern lights visible close to the Earth's poles. 'The more we know about the conditions in this environment, the better equipped these satellites can be to withstand the onslaught of magnetic and solar storms, which can, and indeed do, destroy them,' says PPARC-funded scientist, Dr Hugo Alleyne. By flying the four cluster space craft in formation, scientists will be able to take measurements from more than one point in space allowing them to disentangle the difference in space and time within 'space weather' forms and systems. Dr Andrew Fazakerley explains: 'What have previously been just tantalising disturbances when measured from one spacecraft might turn out to be waves or even whirlwinds in space - Cluster will reveal a more complete picture.' The spacecraft are currently at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The first pair is scheduled for launch on 12 July and the second pair on 8 August. The mission will last at least two years. The cluster mission is funded by the European Space Agency (70%) and NASA (30%).