| LII.org (Home) | About LII IPL.org Suggest a Site Subscribe to New This Week Contact |
|
|
 |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
Satellites
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Declassifying the "Fact of" Satellite Reconnaissance 
 Collection of previously classified government documents, released in October 2007, "concerning U.S. policy with regard to acknowledging the 'fact of' U.S. satellite reconnaissance operations -- particularly satellite photoreconnaissance." Includes an introduction to and annotations for the documents, most of which are from the 1970s. Provides links to several other documents and collections concerning U.S. reconnaissance (spy) satellite operations. From the National Security Archive, George Washington University. http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB231/index.htm Topics: Astronomy, National Security Last updated Feb 25, 2008 Earth From Space
Companion to 2006-2010 traveling exhibition featuring satellite imagery of Earth from space. Provides images of vegetation, tropical forests, oceans, floods and storms, mountains and volcanoes, agriculture, urban areas, and more. Includes material about remote sensing and satellite technology. From the Smithsonian Institution. http://www.earthfromspace.si.edu Topics: Astronomy, Geography Last updated Dec 11, 2006 ESA: Science & Technology: XMM-Newton
"The European Space Agency's [ESA] X-ray Multi-Mirror [XMM] satellite is the most powerful X-ray telescope ever placed in orbit. Scientists are sure the mission will help solve many cosmic mysteries, ranging from enigmatic black holes to the formation of galaxies." The site provides a description of the program and the spacecraft, news, mission reports, a glossary, and images and videos. http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=23 Topics: Astronomy Last updated Mar 31, 2008 Facts for Features Special Edition: Launch of Sputnik I and Start of the "Space Race": 50th Anniversary (Oct. 4)
Facts and statistics marking the 50th anniversary in 2007 of the launch "by the Soviet Union on Oct. 4, 1957 [of] Sputnik I ... the first satellite to be put into orbit. The launch ignited the 'Space Race' between the United States and Soviet Union." Data covers the aerospace industry, U.S.-Russia trade, and population of the U.S., Soviet Union and Russia, and Brevard County, Florida (home of Cape Canaveral). From the U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/010731.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Oct 4, 2007 FEMA: Satellite Re-entry
Collection of documents concerning the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) role in the disabled U.S. spy satellite that was intentionally destroyed by a missile in February 2008 to prevent hazardous chemical risks to U.S. citizens. FEMA has "been charged with the consequence management piece of the reentry in the event the disabled satellite impacts the continental U.S. or one of its territories." Includes text of "First Responder Guide for Space Object Re-Entry." From FEMA. http://www.fema.gov/media/2008/satellite.shtm Topics: Astronomy, National Security, Pollutants & Toxic Substances Last updated Feb 25, 2008 Galileo: European Satellite Navigation System
Information about "Galileo ... a global navigation infrastructure under civil control. It will consist of 30 satellites, the associated ground infrastructure and regional/local augmentations," the first portion of which was launched in December 2005 under the auspices of the European Union and the European Space Agency. Includes a FAQ, descriptions of applications (transportation, agriculture, leisure, and more), and related publications. Some material available in several languages. From the European Commission, European Union (EU). http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/galileo/index_en.htm Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Jun 11, 2006 GLIMS: Global Land Ice Measurements From Space
This project is "designed to monitor the world's glaciers primarily using data from the ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and reflection Radiometer) instrument aboard the EOS Terra spacecraft." The site monitors the number and size of glaciers to help evaluate potential hazards and to increase our "understanding of our climate system, climate change, the formation of ice ages, and effects of global warming." The site features interactive maps, technical documentation, and related publications. Searchable. http://www.glims.org Topics: Astronomy, Environment, Geography, Geology, Pollution Last updated Nov 15, 2004 Heavens Above
Aims to provide "all the information you need to observe satellites such as the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle, spectacular events such as the dazzlingly bright flares from Iridium satellites as well as a wealth of other spaceflight and astronomical information." Input your city or latitude and longitude, and get a list and brief description of the satellite and when it will be visible. From the German Space Operations Centre. http://www.heavens-above.com/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jun 29, 2007 J-Track Satellite Tracking
NASA "created J-Track so you could quickly and easily keep track of your favorite orbiting objects. ... Select the category of satellites you are interested in ... or if you are really adventurous, try J-Track 3D." Types of objects include spacecraft (such as the Space Shuttle, Mir, and Hubble), and weather, search and rescue, and amateur radio satellites. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://science.nasa.gov/RealTime/JTrack/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Aug 1, 2005 Mission and Spacecraft Library (MSL)
This site from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) contains "basic information about all 5000+ orbital spacecraft launches and launch attempts since the beginning of the Space Age." Search the "Launch Facts" database by spacecraft name, launch site, launch year, orbit class, organization, mission type, or launch vehicle. Browse by spacecraft name, program name, or mission type. Includes a glossary. http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Jul 30, 2003 NASA: Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)
Background about "NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite [which] failed to reach orbit after its ... liftoff Feb. 24 [2009] from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base." Includes a mission overview ("the first spacecraft dedicated to studying atmospheric carbon dioxide, the most significant human-produced greenhouse gas and the principal human-produced driver of climate change"), and material about spacecraft and instruments, human-generated carbon, and the failed launch. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/oco/main/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Mar 2, 2009 National Reconnaissance Office
Official website for this U.S. federal government office that "builds and operates the nation's reconnaissance satellites ... [for] customers like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)." Features background about the agency, the Corona photo reconnaissance satellite system (in operation from 1960 to 1972), and recent operations. Also includes a link to a website for children. http://www.nro.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, National Security Last updated Feb 25, 2008 Satellite to Monitor Global Greenhouse Gases Launched Successfully
This January 2009 ESCAP press release describes the successful launch of the "Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite 'IBUKI' (or 'GOSAT' in its English-language acronym) ... the first satellite to observe greenhouse gases and monitor changes in the effects they cause. It was launched ... in southern Japan, by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), a key partner of the United Nations’ regional arm -- the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)." http://www.unescap.org/unis/press/2009/jan/g02.asp Topics: Astronomy Last updated Mar 2, 2009 Satellite Tracking: Live 2D Java Tracking Maps
Keep track of a variety of satellites: spacecraft, weather, amateur (HAM) radio, and search and rescue. Find the latitude, longitude, and altitude for the various objects. Type in your zipcode to discover when a satellite will pass overhead. Set up an object's location and direction to calculate where the object will be in the future. From Science@NASA. http://science.nasa.gov/Realtime/ Topics: Astronomy, Maps by Place, Scientific Themes Last updated Oct 4, 2004 Solar System Exploration: Sputnik
Background about Sputnik, the basketball-sized spacecraft that was "the world's first artificial satellite," launched in 1957 by the former Soviet Union. "The U.S. responded in January 1958 with the launch of Explorer 1. Another American response to Sputnik: The creation of NASA in October 1958." Provides key dates, fast facts, and links to other websites about Sputnik. From NASA. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/profile.cfm?MCode=Sputnik Topics: Astronomy Last updated Sep 27, 2007 Space Debris Basics
Background about orbital debris, which "generally refers to material that is on orbit as the result of space missions, but is no longer serving any function." Topics include description of debris and debris degradation and breakup, debris risk, debris clouds, how risks can be controlled, and future trends. From the Aerospace Corporation, a company that provides "independent technical and scientific research, development, and advisory services to national-security space programs." http://www.aero.org/capabilities/cords/debris-basics.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Feb 24, 2009 Space Surveillance
Overview of the space surveillance system of the U.S. military, which "involves detecting, tracking, cataloging and identifying man-made objects orbiting Earth, i.e. active/inactive satellites, spent rocket bodies, or fragmentation debris." Briefly describes the Space Surveillance Network of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force; the Space Control Center; and the number and size of space debris being tracked. From Air University, an education and training center for the U.S. Air Force. http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usspc-fs/space.htm Topics: Astronomy Last updated Mar 12, 2009 Sputnik Declassified
Companion to a Nova documentary about Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. The show "counters the popular view that President Dwight Eisenhower and the American science and defense establishments were caught completely off guard." Includes interactive features on satellites and rocket-building, a space-race timeline, teacher's guide, program transcript and video, and related reading and website links. From the WGBH Educational Foundation. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sputnik/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Nov 21, 2007 Terra: The EOS Flagship
The site describes Terra, NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) flagship satellite, and its mission "to improve understanding of the movements of carbon and energy throughout Earth’s climate system." The site features history of the project and spacecraft, global maps, images and data from Terra, and mission status updates. "Terra is a multi-national, multi-disciplinary mission involving partnerships with the aerospace agencies of Canada and Japan." http://terra.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Regions of the World Last updated Feb 7, 2005 Third From the Sun: Geographical Features as Seen From Space
Designed for students in grades 4 through 8, this site provides an overview "of the history and development of Earth sensing, " and the role of the Landsat satellite in modern Earth imaging. Includes interactive activity for students "to make reasoned inferences about the geographic locations shown in Landsat images." Also features information for teachers. From the Center for Science Education, Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley. http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/SegwayEd/lessons/third_from_sun/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Photograph Collections Last updated Aug 22, 2006 What Is Galileo?
Introductory information about Galileo, which will be "Europe's own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service [GPS] under civilian control." Includes image and video galleries for this program, the first portion of which was launched at the end of 2005. From the European Space Agency (ESA). http://www.esa.int/esaNA/GGGMX650NDC_galileo_0.html Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Jul 28, 2006 |
|||
| Copyright © 2009, Librarians' Internet Index, LII. All rights reserved. Financial support for LII (Librarians' Internet Index) comes from the The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology and the IPL Consortium. LII is hosted by The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology. |