Liftoff to Space Exploration - This NASA site provides a good introduction to space exploration and astronauts in space. The front page is the main entry point for users, with links to sections including the human journey, space exploration, and the whole universe itself! These all lead to more detailed information on topics as varied as the origins of the universe, the fundamentals of living in space and technical details on spacecraft developed by NASA. The highlight of the site is the section on the technology used to track both spacecraft and debris in space, including a station location tracker which allows you to track the real-time positions of various satellites. The satellite positions are updated each minute and there is also an option to view their trajectories in 3D. Unfortunately the shuttle wasn't on a mission when I accessed the site, but the site also tracks this when it's in orbit. Another interesting feature for those in the US is a link on the home page which provides you with a star map marking the path of the international space station across the night sky in your area. From your zip code it will calculate the time that the station will rise and set in the sky, in addition to the date of its next transect. This, combined with the tracking function of this site alone makes it well worth a visit. Easy to navigate the website contains a glossary and index in addition to a search function for those who are looking for something specific. Rating: 8 out of 10 (18 February 2003) LH
http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - The leading centre in the US for the robotic exploration of the solar system also manages the Deep Space Network, studies the Earths biosphere, and takes a lead in the development of space technologies. This site acts as archive and showcase for current and past projects. There is a great deal of material available so it was good to see that the search function worked so well and that the navigation was intuitive and well organised. If you don't already have a copy it may be an idea to get hold of the latest version of Real Player as there are quite a few videos to see in addition to the spectacular still photographs. Real Player will also come in handy for the once or twice monthly webcasts. These are also archived so attendance on the night is not compulsory. For teachers and students, up to and including graduate level, there is a large education section with lesson plans, projects and a host of useful links and resources. Worth half a day of anybody's time, this is content-rich, easy to use and best of all fascinating without being bewildering. Rating: 10 out of 10 (7 October 2002) ALD
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/index.html
AdvanceSpace Homepage - Aimed at all levels, this site is authored by space professionals who feel that by extending our reach into space, our life on earth will improve tremendously. An extensive section on spacecraft design begins with the design process, and goes through astrodynamics, propulsion, power, the communication system, and testing. There are plenty of links to other sites, including the latest space news and weather, and to current projects in research and development at NASA/Caltech/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, many of which involve nanotechnology and robotics. If it's a space job you're after, a link will take you to openings in the industry. The upcoming Virtual Spacecraft Design Lab sounds promising. Rating: 8 out of 10 (21 August 2002) AD
http://www.AdvanceSpace.com/
Planet Quest - NASA and JPL's Planet Quest is an excellent site about extrasolar planets - planets outside our own Solar System. Find out about the historical and astronomical background to the search for new worlds, and the technical challenges that astronomers must overcome. There's an emphasis on NASA's work, of course, with extensive coverage of missions from the ground-based Keck Interferometer in Hawaii to the future Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF). The TPF isn't even expected to launch until 2012, but may take the form of a squadron of free-flying space telescopes which will combine their signals to examine extrasolar planets as small as Earth. The "New Worlds Atlas" documents the planets which have been discovered so far, telling how and when they were discovered, and what their characteristics are. There are no maps of these planets yet - that will have to wait for technology beyond even the Terrestrial Planet Finder! The site is rather busy at first glance, but fairly easy to navigate despite this. It makes extensive use of animations but they are optional rather than required - just as it should be! The multimedia section provides a virtual tour of the Keck Observatory, 3D simulations, animations, and videos; you'll need at least some of the Flash, RealPlayer, QuickTime, and Cult3D plug-ins to see them. A set of Educator Resources in Adobe Acrobat format may be useful for teachers and students. A selection of links to other sites completes what is an excellent resource for anyone interested in space and astronomy. Rating: 9 out of 10 (11 August 2002) DP-P
http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/
Beagle2: The British led exploration of Mars - What links Charles Darwin, the band Blur, and artist Damien Hirst? The answer is "Beagle 2", the British led effort to land on Mars as part of the European Space Agency's Mars Express Mission. This is the official website of that project, which will examine conditions on Mars and search for traces of life. It is named after H.M.S. Beagle, the ship on which Darwin voyaged, leading to his writing of "On the Origin of Species". This authoritative and elegantly designed site covers the historical background to the mission, the scientific aims, and the technology behind the lander, which is described as "a sophisticated miniature chemistry laboratory". The site is a pleasure to browse through, with well written text and plenty of photographs and computer simulations. The "resources" section is relatively bare, with a few photographs and press releases, but this will be expanded as the project progresses. Beagle 2 is not scheduled for launch until June 2003, but the site lets you feel like you are part of the mission preparations thanks to regular updates. And what about the Blur and Damien Hirst connections? Well, Blur have composed an original piece of music called "Beagle 2" which will be played back from the surface of Mars to signal the lander's safe arrival. Artist Damien Hirst will provide an image on the lander based on his "Spot Paintings", which will act as a colour calibrator for the on-board cameras. A true case of British ingenuity! Rating: 9 out of 10 (3 August 2002) DP-P
http://beagle2.open.ac.uk/
Pakistani Space Programme - Compared to India's space program, Pakistan's space program seems dimunitive. India has put satellites into geostationary orbit on its mighty GSLV rocket (Geostationary Launch Vehicle), and is firmly shouldering its way into the ranks of major space nations. Pakistan, by contrast, has only managed to put two indigenously made satellites into orbit, riding on Chinese or Russian launches. In the battle of the websites, however, Pakistan is the clear winner. Although it sometimes strangles on bureaucratic jargon, the website of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) www.suparco.gov.pk/ is perhaps the best space research website of any developing country. SUPARCO defines its primary mission as earth imagining and upper atmosphere research . As such, it has formed links both with NOAA of the USA and SPOT of France. But, the main emphasis of this site is how Pakistan is building an infrastructure for both aeronautics and space research , within the means at hand. Far more than just a curiosity, the sense of scientific dedication one feels from viewing this site is genuinely impressive. Indeed it makes one wistfully speculate about the possibilities if India and Pakistan were able someday to peacefully combine their two outstanding space programs. Rating 8 out of 10 (2 July 2002) WTS
http://www.suparco.gov.pk/
Israeli Space Programme - Although there is a home page for the Israeli Space Agency (www.iami.org.il/isahome.html), it tells us very little about Israel's formidable abilities. Israel is easily the leading space power in the Middle East. As well as having launched a series of eight earth sensing satellites from Russia, it recently launched its fifth spy satellite, Ofeq 5, on an Israeli made Shavit rocket from a base near Tel Aviv. Like much of Israel's secrecy-shrouded space program, most of the information on the Ofeq (Horizon) program comes from Israeli press releases (www.iai.com.il/dows/dows/Serve/item/English/1.1.11.1.49.html). Israel's main launch vehicles for satellites are the Shavit and Jerico rockets, which are thought to have ranges in excess of 7,000 kilometers. Israel may also have submarine and land launched cruise missiles www.fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/missile/popeye-t.htm Two sites devoted to disarmament and weapons of mass destruction deal extensively with Israeli space technology. The Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Disarmament www.wisconsinproject.org/countries/israel/missle2000htm#top has a detailed overview of Israeli missiles through 2000 and the Federation of American Scientists www.fas.org/spp/guide/israel/index.html covers not only military but also the civilian potential of the Israeli space program. Both sites also deal with many other missile and space programs, such as Iraq, North Korea and the Middle East Satellite Consortium. Rating 8 out of 10 (29 June 2002) WTS
