[Satellite TODAY 02-17-10] Madrid-based space company GMV has completed initial testing of the World Space Observatory Ultraviolet mission satellite ground segment, the company announced Feb. 16.
    GMV was contracted by Roscosmos to participate in the international project to fill the gap left by the Hubble telescope at the end of its mission. Service missions on NASA space shuttles, which are slated to be retired in 2010, have maintained the Hubble telescope since it was launched in 1990.
    The first coordinated telescope control operation demonstration was conducted by GMV with the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and the Astronomy Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences observatories. GMV maintained a live connection between both observatories while observing the complete telescope operation chain for any problems.