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Science European students build re-entry package
Science European students build re-entry package | European students build re-entry package |
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| by Stephen Withers | |
| Friday, 11 May 2007 | |
  
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Science DiscussionsYES2, created by a team of nearly 500 university students, has just been sent to Russia where will be attached to the outside of the Russian Foton M3 capsule scheduled for launch from Baikonur in September. Just before the Foton begins its return to Earth from its 300km orbit, YES2's Fotino return capsule will be lowered on a 30km thick tether, forming a pendulum. The tether is so long that despite being just 0.5mm thick, it is expected to be visible in the night sky from South America and eastern Russia. At a carefully calculated moment, the 6kg capsule will be released from the tether and descend to Earth, protected by a heat shield during re-entry and slowed by parachutes. The intended landing area is a remote location in Russia, so there is little chance of the return capsule landing on anyone or anything fragile. If successful, larger versions may be constructed. ESA project manager Roger Walker said "YES2 represents a whole collection of university dissertations and theses. Students have gained valuable hands-on experience that will certainly be put to good use immediately if they should continue in the space industry or come to work for ESA."{moscomment} |
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