Gondwanan Space Agency
DISCLAIMER: This may or may not actually exist due to some things that are uncertain currently.
| Abbreviation | ASRA |
|---|---|
| Type | Space Agency |
| Headquarters | Uravin |
Administrator | Ensal Palola |
The Auravas Space Research Agency is an independent government body that coordinates the space program and astronomical research of Auravas.
ASRA was founded in 1968 due to mainly academic interests, emphasizing expansion of scientific knowledge. Since then, it has carried out many Auravasian space exploration initiatives.
History
Auravas had interest in scientific exploration for decades prior and founded ASRA in 1968 for mainly academic purposes, in part due to renowned astrophysicist Vikal Reyapam, who would go on to become the first administrator of ASRA. ASRA conducted its first successful orbital launch in 1982. Since then, ASRA has carried out many missions, and regularly partners with academic Institutions and international organizations.
Space Debris Crisis
Like the rest of the world's space programs, ASRA was subjected to a 3 year moratorium on launching spacecraft due to the Space Debris Crisis. During this time, funds were mostly allocated to ground based programs such as observatories. Since the moratorium was lifted, ASRA returned to its regular operations.
Current Projects
Auravas Urth Array Satellite Series (AUA)
The AUA series of satellites, launched in 1999. is Auravas' primary earth observation satellites. These are mainly in polar sun-synchronous orbit and preforms a wide range of functions such as oceanography and environmental studies. A subset of AUA, dubbed AUA-M, is comprised of meteorological satellites.
Auravas Communication Network Satellite Series (ACN)
The ACN series, launched in 2004, is Auravas's telecommunication satellite system. Comprised of multipurpose satellites in geostationary orbit, these satellites cover telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology and search-and-rescue.
Stargazer Orbital Telescope
The Stargazer Orbital Telescope, launched in 1998, is one of Auravas' major in-space telescopes, able to see into the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is a general purpose telescope, and has examined many astronomical objects and phenomena, from both inside and outside the solar system, from the inner planets to star formation. Stargazer, while operated mostly by ASRA, is available to the public for some portions of time, and other organizations such as the University of Uravin have commonly used it.
Horizon X-Ray Observatory
The Horizon X-Ray Observatory, launched in 1990, detects soft x-rays. It has been used extensively to examine black holes, stars, and other x-ray emitting phenomena.
Sivetra Gamma Ray Observatory (SGRO)
The Sivetra Gamma Ray Observatory was launched in 2009 to detect gamma rays and soft x-rays. Named after Arec Sivetra, a physicist who pioneered in gamma ray studies, the SGRO examines gamma ray emitting phenomena such as black holes and supernova.
Other Satellites
Solar Observer Laboratory 1 (SOL-1): Launched in 1995 to study the sun and solar wind
Magnetosphere Analysis Mission (MAM): Launched in 2022 to study Urth's magnetosphere
Lunar
Lunar Observation Laboratory (LOL): Launched in 2012 to orbit and study the moon. It is the only lunar mission from ASRA so far.
Ground Based Observatories
Auravas Astronomical Research Observatory (AARO)
The Auravas Astronomical Research observatory was built in 1982 and is owned and operated by the University of Uravin. However, it receives funding and support, and is sometime operated by ASRA. AARO is comprised of multiple telescopes, and has ongoing projects to study both objects in the solar system, such as asteroids and moons, as well as phenomenaa occurring farther away, such as galactic nuclei, supernovae, and other solar systems. It is located in the Kaskada mountains in southern Auravas.
Kalana Island Observatory (KIO)
The Kalana Island Observatory, established in 1990, is located in the southern portion of Kalana Island, to the east of the Auravas mainland. It is directly owned and operated by ASRA.
Future
New Horizons X-Ray Observatory
The successor to the Horizon Observatory, the New Horizons X-Ray observatory has state of the art equipment and is scheduled to launch in 2024.
The Eclipse Missions
The Eclipse missions are a set of two missions to Urth''s moon. Each mission contains an orbiter and a lander. Eclipse-1 is planned to launch in 2027.
Other satellites
Solar Observer Laboratory 2 (SOL-2): For further study of the sun. To launch in 2025.
Launch Capabilities
Spacecraft
Nexus Launch Vehicle
The Nexus Launch Vehicle (NLV) line is the primary workhorse of ASRA, and has made up the majority of ASRA launches. It was developed in 2003 after the retirement of the Auravas Space Propulsion Vehicle (ASPV), and has seen continual development and expansion since then.
Facilities
Due to Auravas' distance from the Aequator, many of Auravas' missions are launched by other parties closer to the equator. Currently, the most used launch facility is ______.
Reyapam Launch Facility
The Reyapam Launch Facility is ASRA's main spaceport for high inclination and polar-orbiting missions due to its high latitude, and is located on the coast, south of Purkatar. Previously known as the Southern Launch Facility, it was renamed in Vikal Reyapam's honor after he passed away in 2006.