UPDATE 2-EU launches Galileo satellite, challenging U.S.

Reuters ^ | Wed Dec 28, 2005 09:19 AM ET | By Richard Balmforth

[toadthesecond]

The ion drive was tested in space on the Russian Zond probe wasn't it?

[jveritas]

An invention is not an invention until it becomes a reality. The phone is an invention because Bell made it a real device. I have a concept of making a rocket that can reach half the speed of light, this will not make it an invention.

Again, as I said before take your delusion of European greatness somewhere else, and you seem more French to me than German because you have a very twisted logic of arguing points.

[RightWhale]

One satellite is only a start. When the whole constellation is up, the next generation of American GPS will also be up. What will count is whether receivers will use one or the other or both, whether the Chinese are involved or not, and that depends on permissions and licenses and which manufacturers dominate the market.

[jveritas]

Thanks dead for the info.

Jordi take a look at this post # 37 by dead.

[Prodigal Son]

Name one major space technology invented by the European space program.

Hmmm. Well, what are you counting as the European space programme? I mean, Europe was first into space. Europe had the first satellite (Sputnik). First man in space etc. These were pretty big achievements. I think so anyway.

[jveritas]

Take a look at post # 37 by "dead". The US used the ion engine back in 1998!

[Central Scrutiniser]

Its good news for anyone that owns a GPS, more precision, stronger signal and all that.

I just wish that the GPS signal could penetrate about 100 feet of water, it would make my terrible scuba navigation one less thing to worry about.

[jveritas]

I am talking about the EU space program and not the Russian space program.

[dead]

The ion drive was tested in space on the Russian Zond probe wasn't it?

Some of the Zond probes tested experimental ion engines as actuators of the attitude control system that kept the craft oriented properly.

They were not used for propulsion.

[RightWhale]

Goddard experimented with the ion motor in the 20s.

[jveritas]

LOL...

[Centurion2000]

The FIRST time a terrorist or an avowed enemy of the USA uses a Galileo based system for precision attack or bombing, we'll splash their system.

[Central Scrutiniser]

Regarding the missing Beagle, the orbiter that was part of that mission is returning fantastic science, and it looks like they found the Beagle, it may have landed on the side of a crater, which is tough, but it was programmed to land in a much more difficult area than our rovers did.

Plus, we have lost our share of landers.

[Jordi]

I'm enough old to have some white hair and never seen anybody walking on the moon.

My grandpa told me

Yes you can. Prez. Bush says in 2018,if they all do the things right. Excuse me, you can't blame the rest of the world if the US has forfeited its early advantage in space activities. Others countries carefully avoid displeasing the US but I fell free to mock at your exibition of (past) grandeur.

[Ramcat]

...but I fell free to mock at your exibition of (past) grandeur.

Is that all you got?

[GunnyHartman]

"but it was programmed to land in a much more difficult area than our rovers did"

That's real smart---land in a difficult area or do as common sense dictates, land in a more hospitable area and drive to the difficult stuff, hmmm.

Also, you must check out the esa's site design: http://www.esa.int/esaHS/index.html
Across the top of the so-called euroweenie's human spaceflight page shows American footprints on the Moon.

[Jordi]

It' Christmas time. One should be generous.

[Central Scrutiniser]

It was programmed to land near the south pole IIRC.

As for driving to difficult stuff, Opportunity has travelled 4 miles in 2.5 years, at this rate it could get to where Beagle was in about 900 more years or so.

Why are you threatened by the ESA doing science?

Its quite illogical of you.

[toadthesecond]

The Zond probes were in the sixties (but as another poster points out, they were used for positional thrusters only)

[Tommyjo]

And the same can be said for your 'delusions or greatness'. Europe and US are are interlinked by history. Remember the father of the US space program was Wernher Von Braun.