Space science in Estonia
The cornerstone of the
Dark Matter" and of the cellular structure of the Universe.[1]
Mir involvement
During the
Saljut type space station was equipped with the Estonian built Mikron a shining night clouds observer device. Several upgrades of the device were in service till the mid 1980s till the introduction of a more advanced technology. In the mid 1980s a telespectrometer FAZA (also known as Phasa) was constructed in Estonia for the Soviet orbital space station Mir. The FAZA had a 10 arc-sec field-of-view and operated at 340-2850 nm and was fitted outside the Kvant-2 module. The device was used for study of the atmosphere and pollutants.[2]
The first FAZA which was shipped on orbit at the
Baikonur cosmodrome to enter service in the station Saljut 7, crashed down along with the station a year later in South America causing an international scandal for the Soviet Union in the region. Several years later in 1991 a joint space flight conducted by the Soviet Union and Austria ended the service of FAZA as the device was retired from service.[3]
ESA involvement
Estonia was the first Baltic State to sign a cooperation treaty with the European Space Agency in 2007.[4] The Estonian Space Office coordinates with ESA within the country.
In 2015, Estonia joined the European Space Agency.[5]
Current programs
After re-gaining independence in 1991 its
satellite communication, which have also contributed to the Mars Express mission. Furthermore, one of the Estonian companies built a large antenna reflector back structure for an ESA 35 metres radio telescope in Australia, which tracked Mars Express on its way to the red planet
.
We might not go to space but we have a great opportunity to convey our ideas.
— director Laurits Leedjärv of the Tartu Observatory[6]
Science programs
For several years Estonian scientists have collaborated with the
Milky Way galaxy as well as in more distant galaxies. Estonian scientists have offered their advice on how to measure these objects by using spectrophotometry.[7]
Satellite programs
- 2013 a joint
- On 7 May 2013 ESTCube-1 was launched by a Vega rocket. It's mission was officially ended on 17 February 2015.
- On 9 October 2023 ESTCube-2 was launched by a Vega rocket.
See also
References
- ^ ESA: SURE on the road update - Estonia
- ^ Science on-board the Mir space station 1986-94
- ^ Estonian space project about to sink into the Pacific ocean
- ^ Estonia about to become a space nation
- ^ Member States welcome Estonia
- ^ Long tradition in astrophysics research
- ^ Estonia aspires to join space-xxploring nations
- ^ Estonia to launch its own satellite in 2012
- ^ Finland and Estonia about to enter space
- ^ Space country Estonia: satellite ESTCube-1 was launched to orbit and said hello from the space!