ESA Bulletin, No.136 November 2008

The November 2008 issue of the Bulletin features ESA astronaut Frank De Winne on the cover. De Winne is the next European astronaut to fly to the International Space Station for a six-month mission in May 2009.

This issue, which has a fresh ‘new look’, taking into account the results of various studies and reader surveys carried out last year, and retuned to appeal not only to informed readers with an interest in space, but also to a wider public audience.

The content retains the same, high-quality in-depth articles explaining the achievements and discoveries, but now also focuses on the human aspects of space, the ‘behind-the-scenes’ personalities and the benefits to European citizens, and looks ahead to future challenges for Europe in spaceflight and exploration.

In this issue, the Bulletin looks at the mission of Ulysses and report on two recent major European successes in manned spaceflight, the installation of Columbus on the ISS and the flight of ATV Jules Verne. There is an update on the GlobCover project that has produced a unique depiction of the face of the planet, with many uses including studying ecosystems and modelling climate change impacts. There is also a tribute to Jan Stiernstedt, the Swedish champion for space who passed away in 2008.

The Bulletin is published four times a year to inform the space-interested public of ESA’s activities. In addition to a wide range of articles, every issue provides an overview of the status of ESA's major space projects.

ESA Bulletin, No.136 November 2008 http://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA_Publications/ESA_i_Bulletin_i_136_November_2008

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