So an eclipse is coming next, How could we see, appreciate
or at least have an image of it? We have indeed appreciated it since yesterday November 13th, but how can we have access to this valuable information? The answer is the Proba-2’s SWAP imager.
The Proba-2’s SWAP imager is a spacecraft that is part of
the Technology Demonstration Programme. The TDP is in charge of demonstrating
new technologies and scientific breakthroughs.
This spacecraft is in orbit
since 2nd November 2009 from the Plesesk Cosmodrome, Russia. The Proba-2’s
SWAP imager started picturing the sun in the same month of its launching and
has been operating since then. The image capture results even better than those
in specialized astronomical centers on earth or by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA).
This spacecraft was not only destined for taking pictures of
the universe, but also for testing new experiments and technology that has to
be tested in orbit given the high risk of some technologies to be tested on the
soil of the planet.
Satellites such as the Proba series increase the possibility
to test due to the fact that the devices it is equipped with are quite enough
for technologies testing.
Let’s go back a bit to the picturing featuring of this apparently
amazing device. Wouldn’t you think this could be a device for espionage? Think
of the country that developed this satellite and the history between this country and his twentieth-century rival: U.S.
More information
This is really amazing! As I wrote long time ago in this blog, I'm really pleased to see how technology can connects us with nature. Most of the time, effects that technology has on people is just to be involved in society or to have better quality life, but technology doesn't care about our feelings, beliefs, etc. Contemplating photos of nature gives people calm and peace activating our brain from some other reflections and contemplations of life. So, I believe this kind of breakthrough helps us as a society and as individuals.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm fond of what you are expressing, Natalyn, especially in the part you make a connection with nature. You see that we, ad individuals, have different orientations for our actions or what we decide to do, but we better do not forget that we, individuals after all, are part of a whole "everything," something beyond our reach that is close to us at the same time, and it is nature. Nature link us to our roots and in this case, technology seems to be a path for a closer connection between us and what is in the universe.
DeleteThe title of your entry caught my attention at first, but it was interesting to read the benefits of having that spacecraft orbiting the earth.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Proba-2’s could be use for espionage as well. And actually it wouldn't be that surprising! The U.S. since long ago that uses drones to take photos of some places or even bomb them, and they do not care about the national airspace of the other countries, their planes and drones come and go wherever they please!
So I wouldn't call it cold war, I would call it invasion of privacy.
I agree with your point. There is no proof that the U.S. have kept their influences away from the ordinary man's life, but there is not proof of the contrary either. Anyways, it is left to the opinion of the populum, but if you think about it, they don't need a orbiting satellite to know everything about you. Advertising is enough for the task. Remember the presentation of the C.E.O. of Firefox Gary Kovacs, who adreesed in TED. He talked about this exact issue; about how advertising invades your privacy with common day-to-day internet gadgets.
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