JAXA has awarded a consortium of Japanese universities a free boost toward Venus aboard its Venus Climate Orbiter, scheduled for a May 2010 launch. Ars Technica:
The one that will be headed to Venus will be built by a team from the University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC), a group of 20 Japanese universities. The probe will measure about 35x35x35 centimeters and weigh approximately 15 kilograms. Once on trajectory toward Venus, it will test several computers built by UNISEC member universities, and hold a competition that will determine which computer survives the longest in the space environment. It will also carry out experiments in deep-space communication technologies using commercially available equipment in collaboration with amateur ham radio operators.
Wayne
Comments