Carnival of Space 330

1. Astroswanny takes a look at the ISON perihelion and social media action that made more than a few scientists almost choke on their thansgiving turkey. Astroswanny suggests that if a naked eye comet makes it to the Lasco C3 FOV – its going round! That “rule of thumb” is now two from two in three years.

2. Universe Today – Astrophotographer Damian Peach has wowed us with his images of Comet ISON the past few months. Here’s a montage of some of his best images from September 24 to November 15.

A montage of images of Comet ISON taken from September 24 to November 15, 2013. Credit and copyright: Damian Peach.

3. Huffington Post – Whether you brace yourself for the holidays or are actually able to embrace them (or a little bit of both), it’s the time of year to think about home.

4. Vega00 – This article is a full guide to observe comets, especially about the ISON comet. We explain how to estimate the apparent magnitude or the condensation grade, and how to observe this kind of celestial objects. The article is written in spanish.

5. Nextbigfuture – Many sizes of small satellites can be included in unused launch space. Interplanetary missions including missions to Mars can be included as secondary payloads

6. In December 2013, Planet Labs will launch the world’s largest constellation of Earth observing satellites. Planet Labs announced yesterday successfully launched its most recent satellites, Dove 3 and Dove 4, into orbit on a Dnepr vehicle. This will be closely followed by the launch of Planet Labs’ “Flock 1″ fleet of 28 satellites in December, which will be the largest constellation of Earth-imaging satellites ever launched.

7. Nextbigfuture – Intelsat has a fleet of over 50 geostationary satellites and is the world’s largest commercial operator. They are now advocating servicing and refueling satellites in orbit to extend their lives and salvage damaged satellites

Intelsat has spacecraft and launches from most major manufacturers and launch agencies

Intelsat has several launches annually to replenish fleet spacecraft.

8. Nextbigfuture – Space News reports that Arianespace commercial launch consortium is telling its customers it is open to reducing the cost of flights for lighter satellites on the Ariane 5 rocket in response to the challenge posed by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Stephane Israel’s comments came on the day when Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), after a decade of rattling Arianespace’s cage, was preparing its first-ever launch into the geostationary transfer orbit used by most commercial telecommunications satellites, and the place where most commercial revenue is made. An Ariane 5 launch costs $200 million and carries two spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Each launch pairs a heavy satellite typically weighing more than 5,000 kilograms with a lighter one. SpaceX charges $56.5 million for a Falcon 9 launch.

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