Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => In the Media... => Topic started by: Rick on Oct 29, 2008, 15:30:31

Title: Venezuela aims to join space club
Post by: Rick on Oct 29, 2008, 15:30:31
After a five-hour bus ride south of Caracas - interrupted by a rock smashing through the windscreen as a gang unsuccessfully tried to ambush the vehicle and rob us - we arrived at the Venezuelan equivalent of Nasa's Houston space control centre.

This is where Venezuela's first communications satellite, due to be launched from China later on Wednesday, will be monitored.

The centre is in a flashy new building surrounded by huge satellite dishes, at the heart of an air force base in El Sombrero, surrounded by an endless expanse of farmland.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7697130.stm