India launch puts Canadian microsats into orbit

With India’s successful PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) lift-off on February 26, Canada is now boasting the deployment of the world’s first dedicated asteroid-hunting satellite. Actually, its NEOSSat – Near-Earth Object Surveillance satellite – microsatellite will also be surveying space junk from its 100-minute, 800 km …

[Gene Cash]

Henry Spencer?

So is the resident guru of sci.space.* involved? I haven't read usenet in ages. I know he was part of MOST which uses the same bus.

[Martin Budden]

whoosh-BANG!

At least we'll have a better chance of seeing them coming now.

[Yet Another Anonymous coward]

Canada

Surely the country with least to fear from asteroids?

Given its ratio of "places you would care about a rock hitting" to "places the size of wales that you would never notice if they disappeared"

[aqk]

Re: Canada

Nasty fellow! Canada is doing this for all humanity, not just Wales.

Some of us appear to have a tad more altruism than you, Taffy.

[JaitcH]

Re: Canada

How little you know about Canada.

In some places population densities exceeding one live body per square kilometre seem crowded, and objects from space don't come down vertically but leave a long trail of debris.

In southern Ontario we have the Southern Ontario Meteor Network since so many make landfall around there. Go visit < http://astroengine.com/2008/10/25/rare-meteor-fireball-captured-by-seven-canadian-cameras-videos/ >, < http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/12/14/science-meteor-meteorite-toronto.html >, < http://www.universetoday.com/91816/meteorite-alert-remote-cameras-capture-slow-moving-fireball-near-toronto/ >.

[hplasm]

Re: "places the size of wales that you would never notice if they disappeared"

Wales?

[gregthecanuck]

NEO - MPLSD micro-satellite network not mentioned??

Follow-up launches are in the planning stages for a new NEO-MPLSD micro-satellite network.

NEO-MPLSD? Near Earth Orbit MaPLe Syrup Defense network. Any stray space bodies will be apprehended by a kamikaze maple-syrup-bearing swarm. Power source? Canada's patented BBRC - Back Bacon Reaction Chamber.

In the odd chance that the back-bacon powered maple-syrup delivery system fails to adjust the offending NEO orbit, at least we can have a tasty treat while we fry.

[James Micallef]

Re: NEO - MPLSD micro-satellite network not mentioned??

Other countries have strategic oil reserves. Canada has a strategic Maple Syrup reserve! Gotta love them canucks!

[Anonymous Coward]

Excellent

Now india has demonstrated it is a developed country, could we have the £227,000,000 we gave you in aid last year back please? We have our own starving/poverty issues and no space program to speak of....

NB, monetary aid to be phased out by 2015.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20265583

Good!!

[Elmer Phud]

Re: Excellent

Ah, but our glorious bleeder has been out there to demonstrate that the money is needed as palm grease.

India to become a tax haven?

[Binterox]

Re: Excellent

Do you now want to get into a debate on the financial windfall that the British gained when they colonized India?

You think done is done and you want your aid back? Or is it the feeling that the exclusivity of belonging to an elite space club is at stake?

[aqk]

Yes. Canada! The 20th century belongs to Canada!

I heard a news item on the CBC (The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) where the breathless announcer said that these little "lunchbox-sized" satellites would be scanning THE GALAXY for errant meteors, and then kind of implied that the "rocks" would then be shot down.

Canada, and in particular, the CBC - I grieve for you.

[JaitcH]

If India has rockets for rent, how come Cameron is ...

sending them aid money?

No wonder the UK is broke.

[6 inches long, handle.]

What about the Brit payload onboard?

I read somewhere that there was also a Brit payload on board, in addition to the Canadian, French, Indian and some other countries.