_                   
                                                         |_|                  
      V   V   SSSS   OOO   PPPP                 \__      |_|      __/         
      V   V  S      O   O  P   P                   --____/ \____--            
      V   V   SSS   O   O  PPPP                    _ _ _ --- _ _ _            
       V V       S  O   O  P                      |_|_|_|  @|_|_|_|           
        V    SSSS    OOO   P                             o-o                  
                                                          /                   
      ***  N    E    W    S  ***                        <)                    

HALCA STATUS

HALCA is three-axis stabilized and being operated in three reaction wheel mode. The on-board software for the ku-band link antenna has been reloaded and the first ku-band tracking pass is scheduled for later today. It will still, however, be at least a week before operations can resume. It is necessary to gain experience with the three reaction wheel mode of operations, and over the next week several small maneuvers will be undertaken during Kagoshima Space Center tracking passes so that the satellite can be monitored. Development of the software required to simulate the reaction wheel rotation rates during maneuvers and while maintaining HALCA's attitude will be carried out concurrently. A better knowledge of the timescale before operations can restart will be available by next week and will be reported in the next VSOP news.

VSOP SYMPOSIUM

Thanks to all those who have submitted their abstracts for the VSOP symposium. It had been intended to distribute the Third Circular earlier this month, however, this was overtaken by other events! The Third Circular, with details of how to book accommodation etc, will be distributed in the first week of November.

SUMMER FELLOWSHIPS

Support for graduate students to visit Japan for two months during July and August are available for students from the USA, UK, Germany, and France. The deadlines for applications vary from country to country, but are all before the end of this year (and may be as early as the end of this month in the case of Germany!). It is thought applications to be based at the National Astronomical Observatory in Mitaka during the two month visit would have a very good chance of succeeding, and of course students interested in working on some aspect of VSOP activities are particularly encouraged to apply. Details of the co-sponsoring institution in each country and their web site or the web page related to this program are given below. Questions related specifically to staying at NAO can be sent to vsopwww@vsop.isas.ac.jp .

Country  Co-sponsor       Web-site
-------  ----------       --------------------------------------------------
USA      NSF              http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/int/nsf96151.htm
UK       British Council  http://www.britishcouncil.org/japan/eng/science/summer.htm
Germany  DAAD             http://www.daad.de
France   CNRS             http://www.cnrs.fr

                Editors: Phil Edwards and Hirax Hirabayashi