2008
Earth Observation Assets Documenting Changes in the Gulf of Mexico
In 2008, NASA presented new efforts to use remote sensing data to improve the Gulf of Mexico coastal environment. NASA is working with the Gulf Coast Alliance, a partnership of the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, using seven NASA and internationally controlled Earth-observing satellites with direct coastal coverage.
OCO Failure to Launch
Environmental monitoring satellites provide decision-makers with critical information on climate change and natural disasters. The loss of a single satellite can cause significant gaps in Earth observation capabilities, as was the case in February 2009 when NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) was destroyed in a launch failure.
Observing Ocean Effects on Fisheries from Space
Remote sensing satellite data is used increasingly by the fishing industry to understand ocean conditions and their effect on fisheries. Remote sensing satellites provide real-time data on sea surface temperature and surface winds.
Olympic Swimgear Redefined
Perhaps the highest visibility for a space technology spinoff in 2008 was the migration of technology used for space shuttle drag research into the design of the low-friction swimwear worn by a number of Olympic competitors, including multiple gold medalwinner Michael Phelps.
Spacecraft Bookings Accepted For Near Future Flights
In 2008, RocketShip Tours began booking passage to the edge of space onboard an XCOR Lynx spacecraft. The Lynx vehicle will carry a pilot and one passenger in a front seat position, offering a unique perspective during flight.
Virgin’s WhiteKnightTwo Flies Successfully
During 2008, Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic unveiled and conducted the maiden flight of a new airplane, WhiteKnightTwo, a “mother ship” designed to carry SpaceShipTwo into the upper atmosphere, launch the spacecraft into a suborbital trajectory, and return to base. SpaceShipTwo has room for six passengers and two pilots.
The Convergence of “G” Phones and GPS
Smartphones are advanced mobile phones with features similar to personal computers. Devices released in 2008 such as the Apple iPhone 3G and the T-Mobile G1 put the power of space products and services into pockets everywhere.
Satellite Entertainment Offerings Grow
In 2008, ICO Global Communications began testing a mobile TV service using a satellite over the United States designed to deliver up to 15 television channels for entertainment starting in 2010. ICO also plans to offer navigation and emergency services and is experimenting with delivering Internet service to cars.
2008 – European Suborbital
In addition to development of personal spaceflight vehicles in the United States, in July 2007 the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) announced plans to develop a suborbital vehicle to serve the personal spaceflight market. The EADS vehicle, yet to be named, would employ conventional jet engines to climb to ## kilometers (## miles) before igniting rockets to reach altitudes above ## kilometers (## miles). EADS estimates vehicle development will cost €## billion (US$## billion). The company plans to begin operation of the vehicle in 2012.
2008 – BeiDou
China is planning to supplement its Compass Satellite network already in development. In April 2007, China launched BeiDou-2, the first MEO satellite for Compass. Plans have been announced for the launch of ## PNT satellites over the next two years. This network, limited to the Asia Pacific region initially, may be operational by the end of 2010.