_                    
                                                         |_|                   
      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  ***                        <)                     
 

`ICHIKAMI'

The first integration (ichikami) tests of the Muses-B flight module were completed on schedule on Friday November 11th. Spacecraft components, with the exception of the Attitude Control System (ACS), have been returned to their respective manufacturers. The ACS - reaction wheels, gyros, magnetic torquers, star trackers etc - will remain at ISAS for further testing until February next year. Ichikami literally means `first bite' - although, as the data links were given their first trial, `first byte' is perhaps equally appropriate... (In fact, ichikami is short for ichiji-kamiawase, which even Japanese find too much of a mouthful!)

THE FIRST AO

Muses-B, the first VSOP satellite, is scheduled for launch in August or September 1996. Observations, which will start after an intensive in-orbit checkout of the spacecraft, should start in early 1997. The first Announcement of Opportunity is planned for release in May 1995. Details are still being finalised, however it is envisaged that an announcement of the release of the first AO, with details of how the full text of the AO can be obtained, will be distributed by e-mail. It is anticipated that the full text will be available from anonymous ftp sites and also from the World Wide Web. A printed copy of the AO will also be mailed to radio astronomical observatories. The announcement of release will be e-mailed directly to all VSOP news subscribers. Non-subscribers will be able to register their e-mail address for notification of the AO release announcement: details will be given in the next VSOP news. Electronic submission of proposals will be very strongly encouraged, in part to enable proposal details to be transferred to a database to facilitate the scheduling process. The deadline for proposals will be approximately six months after the AO release. Proposals will be peer reviewed by a committee to be appointed by the VISC (VSOP International Scientific Council). Updates on the AO release and proposal process will be included in future issues of the VSOP news.

FELLOWSHIPS TO JAPAN

The Yamada Science Foundation offers a number of fellowships for people to work in Japan. The fellowships are tenable for up to one year, however the deadline for applications for long term stays in Japan during the next Japanese financial year (1st April 1995 to 31st March 1996) has already past. It is still possible to apply for a short term visit (three months or less), although the deadline for these is the 30th of November. Further details are available upon request. The VSOP Project team is strongly supportive of fellowship applications by people wishing to work on the VSOP Project in Japan. Indeed, particularly leading up to, and following on from, the launch in 1996, support from abroad will be essential for the project's success. Details of other fellowship schemes will be given in future issues of the VSOP news.

 
 
       Editors: Phil Edwards and Hirax Hirabayashi