ABC Quantum for Australian veiwers

zephyr46 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-September-2004, 04:21 AM

Quote:

goes behind the scenes at NASA during one of the year's most remarkable events - the journey of the Cassini spacecraft to Saturn.

The giant, plutonium powered spacecraft was launched seven years ago amidst controversy over its toxic fuel. It escaped the troubles on Earth, but far greater challenges lay ahead as it attempted one of the riskiest space flights ever undertaken. Its fantastic voyage saw it loop around Venus, then slingshot back past Earth and Jupiter. After travelling 3.5 billion kilometres came the riskiest manoeuvre of all - threading its way through a narrow gap in Saturn's rings.

As incredible as the journey was, an even bigger story is starting to emerge. Cassini's startling images of Saturn and its moon Titan has stunned scientists around the world. The mission promises to throw new light on the origin of the solar system and perhaps even the beginning of life itself.

Catalyst's International award-winning producer Richard Smith was invited to NASA's mission control to film Planet of the Rings.

zephyr46 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-September-2004, 04:40 AM

There was a great stroy last week on the plasma thruster

Cambo · #3 (**permalink**) 04-September-2004, 03:16 AM

thanx for the link zephyr46.
It's a "wonder"

Saw the Catalyst programme, old news if you regularly visit the nasa website, but gave what was needed.

zephyr46 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-November-2004, 12:32 AM

I don't know how many Aussies are watchers of Global village?

Yesterday they had a story about Arecibo Observatory

Wow ! This is a really big dish! The Astronomers all take part in maintaining the dish, including mowing the lawn under the dish! Apparently if there wasn't lawn underneath the dish would get damaged from expansion in the heat.

One of the Astronomers was there when "Golden Eye" was being filmed, and met Pearce Brosnan. He confided in her that he was glad he quite smoking.

I guess you had to be there.

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