Major Developments Major Developments by Calendar Year

Sixty second General Assembly of United Nations declared 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy. The global scheme lied out by International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU will be coordinating the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. It is an opportunity for the citizens of earth to gain deeper insight in to Astronomy’s role. Moreover, it is Astronomy’s role in enriching all human culture. It will act like a platform to know the latest Astronomical Discoveries and essential role of Astronomy in Science education.

Celestron and Thales Alenia Space centers sponsor IYA2009. The General Assembly of United Nations declared 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibers. The main objective of IYNF2009 would be to raise awareness and stimulate demand for natural fibers. Moreover, the other objectives are, to promote the efficiency and sustainability of the natural fiber industries, to foster effective international partnership between the various natural fiber industries. The IYNF intended to cover a wide range of natural fibers.

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is a NASA robotic space aircraft. Currently it is Orbiting the Moon. LRO is future manned missions to the moon by NASA. After detail mapping of the Moon, It will identify safe landing sites, locate potential resources on the moon. This orbiter will make a 3-D map of the Moon’s surface. Moreover, it provided some of the first images of the Apollo equipment left on the Moon. LRO launched on 18 June 2009 with conjugation of Lunar Crater Observation and sensing satellite (LCROSS).

This is the first United States mission to the moon in over ten years. LRO and LCROSS are the first missions launched as part of the united state’s vision for Space Exploration Programme. The LCROSS carried Spectrometers, near-infrared cameras, a visible camera, and a visible radiometer. Previous missions have revealed trace amount water on lunar soil. LCROSS mission seeks a definite answer for the question of how much water is present.

Iran launched Omid satellite. It is a first domestically made satellite in to space and will return to earth after orbiting for three months. It was launched on Feb 3, 2009. Iran launched first commercial satellite in 2005. Iran hopes to launch three more satellites by 2010. Omid (Hope) is a research and telecom satellite. Omid was equipped with experimental satellite control devise and power supply system. Moreover, it designed for gathering information and testing equipment.

The launch of Omid satellite was clearly timed to coincide with the 30^th anniversary of Iranian revolution. Mr. Mottak said, “Iran’s satellite technology is for purely peaceful purposes and to meet the needs of the country. It was key step for Iran’s ambitious programme. The world powers worried because the same rocket technology used to launch satellite can also deliver warheads. Many agreed that Iron had achieved a milestone. Only ten other countries have successfully launched satellites in to Orbit.