ESA Bulletin 133 (February 2008)

The launch of GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Explorer) is a cornerstone for ESA's Earth Observation programme. It will be the first satellite of the Earth Explorer family to be placed in orbit, and its mission is to explore one of the most intriguing features of our planet. Three articles in this special issue are devoted to GOCE, covering the mission, its design and how its data are handled.

Due to be launched in 2013, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is expected to have as profound and far-reaching impact as its famous predecessor, Hubble. This article looks at the fascinating design of the JWST and some interesting background details on the project.

Other articles include: ESA’s plans for a European space surveillance system - detecting objects in space - at present only USA and Russia have this capability. 'Welcome to Space' looks at how ESA recruits its people and retains the knowledge and experience gained over the years.

The news section carries the latest pictures of the Columbus laboratory being launched on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, and being attached to the International Space Station.

The Bulletin is published four times a year to inform the space-interested public of ESA's activities. In addition to a wide range of articles, every issue provides an overview of the status of ESA's major space projects.

Contents

GOCE: One of ESA's Most Challenging Missions Yet
– A Foreword
Volker Liebig

GOCE: Obtaining a Portrait of Earth's Most Intimate Features
Mark Drinkwater et al.

A Jewel in ESA's Crown
– GOCE and its Gravity Measurement Systems
Michael Fehringer et al.

GOCE's Measurements of the Gravity Field and Beyond
Rune Floberghagen et al.

James Webb Space Telescope
– A Bigger and Better Time Machine
Peter Jakobsen & Peter Jensen

Europe's Eyes on the Skies
– The Proposal for a European Space Surveillance System
Heiner Klinkrad et al.

Welcome to Space
ESA's Strategy for Retaining European Space Competencies
Fiona Walsh et al.