http://bear.ras.ucalgary.ca/CASCA/w94/jssa.html (Einblicke ins Internet, 10/1995)SciSat As part of its newly approved Long Term Space Plan (LTSP, 1994-2004) the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced the future launch of two small scientific Satellites (SciSat) with the Pegasus XL rocket (1000 lb in low earth otbit). The announcement of opportunity will be made by CSA in early 1995 to solicit proposals from Canadian astronomers. For more information, see the electronic notice sent to all CASCA members by W.E. Harris and S. Rucinski or contact the chairman of JSSA.
FUSE After the decision by NASA to cut the Delta class Explorer missions, the Far-Ultraviolet Space Explorer (FUSE) team decided to restructure it as a MIDEX mission, with a budget cap of 100 million dollars. JSSA fully endorses the curent Canadian participation in this redesign process. In this restructured FUSE, Canada would most likely still provide the FES and baffle system and therefore most of the phase B work would still be useful. The majority of the scientific goals are expected to be retained but the nominal lifetime and the efficiency of the satellite will be slightly reduced. Furthermore, the spectral coverage is also expected to be reduced to ~930-1170 A with R~30000. Once the new design is approved by NASA, it will be submitted to JSSA for final approval.
ODIN Canada's involvement in the Swedish astronomy/aeronomy satellite ODIN is progressing well. The planning of the observing program will be made by a team of ODIN scientists of which Canada will provide 6 astronomers and 6 aeronomers. An open competition has recently been held through CASCA to select the 6 Canadian ODIN astronomers. The CSA contribution to the project consists in the building of an optical spectrometer, the testing of the attitude control system and the sharing of common costs such as the launch, etc.
RadioAstron/VSOP Because of the recent political and economic events in Russia, the launch of Radioastron has been delayed to 1997 or even 1998. On the other hand, the Japanese VSOP mission is progressing well and will very likely be launched in September 1996. With the support of CASCA's radio astronomy committee, JSSA recommended to the CSA that resources of Radioastron be reallocated to VSOP. The technical development of high speed recording and correlation devices which was carried out with the support of CSA for Radioastron will serve as the Canadian contribution to the VSOP mission. The recorders and correlators could be redirected back to Radioastron after VSOP, pending schedules for both missions.
Euvita/Spektrum-X The Canadian commitment to this mission is essentially completed. The 40 MB Solid-State memory and some ICs (chips) have been delivered. Canada also continues to support Euvita calibration.
Possible future missions The following missions were presented to JSSA and discussed for possible future involment: participation in the HST Advanced Camera, Lunar Ultraviolet TElescope, JUNO ultraviolet sky survey, GSFC Hitchhiker and STARS.
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Please e-mail any suggestions/comments to Jack Penfold (jpenfold@mtroyal.ab.ca)