The International Year of Astronomy 2009 in the UK

Abstract

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) is an exciting global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture. Coinciding with the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first glimpses through a telescope and the birth of modern astronomy, it gives people all over the world the chance to get involved in this fascinating science and experience the wonders of the night time sky.

Astronomy has come a long way in the last 400 years and has vastly changed our understanding of the Universe. IYA2009 gives those involved a chance to share some of these amazing and often breathtaking discoveries with the public and reveal why astronomy, one of the oldest sciences, is also one of the most exciting. The UK is a very active participant in IYA2009 and is hosting thousands of events, such as spring and autumn moon-watches, a competition for 1000 schools to win a telescope, and a national programme of dark sky activities, that are dedicated to having as many members of the public looking up at the night sky as possible.

Biography

Steve Owens is UK co-ordinator of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. Steve trained as an astronomer at Glasgow University and for the past eight years he has worked as a science communicator, including running Glasgow Science Centre's Zeiss Starmaster planetarium.

What has rocket science got to do with astronomy?

Abstract

Over the last fifty years, satellites, and the rockets that get them into orbit, have changed from a scientific or military experiment, to an integral, if invisible, part of everyday life. Without them, live international news and sport reports, satellite TV and GPS navigation systems, to name a few, would become impossible. But what have they contributed to the scientific and amateur astronomy communities? This talk will look at some of the discoveries and other advantages the use of satellites has brought to the world of astronomy, and at the contributions astronomy has made and continues to make, to rocket science.

Biography

Lucy is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and has managed to combine her interest in all things space with some parts of her portfolio career.

For example, she is the author of the book 'It’s ONLY Rocket Science – An Introduction in Plain English', which explains the basics of rocket science, from the initial idea to the completion of the mission. She is also a freelance journalist and has written for the BBC, the Guardian and more specialist publications such as Astronomy Now Magazine. She has worked as an engineer on rockets for space tourism and gives talks on space, science and engineering.

Space aside, she is also a director of a computer consultancy. For fun, she is an amateur astronomer. She is chairman of her local Astronomical society (Vectis AS), Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society.

www.itsonlyrocketscience.com
It's ONLY Rocket Science: An Introduction in Plain English by Dr Lucy Rogers Published by Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-387-75377-5

UKlaunch: Taking small satellites to orbit on the crest of the Space Tourism wave

Abstract

Virgin Galactic is developing Spaceship 2 and the Whiteknight 2 carrier aircraft, capable of lifting 6 passengers plus crew on a suborbital trajectory to greater than 100km altitude, using an air drop approach and a simple 'green' (non-hydrazine) propulsion system. The unique Whiteknight 2 carrier aircraft has been proposed as an airborne platform for deploying a small satellite launch vehicle. Its lift capacity of 17tons, ability to carry a large (in excess of 2m diameter) vehicle, and service ceiling of 50000ft remove a number of constraints that previous air dropped small satellite launchers have faced. Initial trade-studies carried out by SSTL and Virgin Galactic have indicated that an inexpensive, UK based launch service would be hugely attractive to the growing small satellite market around the 100kg mass point where real services can be delivered (e.g. RapidEye, DMC).

Key features of a low cost small satellite based launch service would need to be

• Low absolute price of in the £1M range per vehicle, with a target price
• point of $5000/kg
• Minimal volumetric constraints, to accommodate satellite booms arrays or other appendages,
• Low vibration loading launch environment,
• Wide range of accessible orbits in particular the high inclination sun-synchronous orbit at 400-800km altitude
• Good responsiveness, or ability to launch on demand ideally within weeks or days of signing a contract

A design study has been proposed to explore the detailed market potential and trade space for a practical, reliable UK based smallsat launcher aimed at extremely low operating costs as the principle system driver, with absolute performance as a lesser requirement. The objective will be to demonstrate how quickly and inexpensively a demonstration small satellite could be orbited using UK knowledge and technology, with a view to future commercialisation of a launch capacity.

Biography

Dr. Adam M. Baker (37) has been with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd for 8 years and currently works for the business development and sales team. Adam works on North American business development, and sales of the higher performance small satellite missions developed by SSTL. He has a particular interest in high performance Earth observation missions including the development of a cost effective small satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capability. Adam has also been involved in the development of the Surrey US sales office and has developed relationships and won business from a number of North American customers including NASA (Space Operations Mission Directorate), Ames and Stennis research centres, NOAA and MDA Federal. While not trying to sell spacecraft, Adam actively promotes the application of the latest terrestrial technology for spacecraft, including MEMS and nanotechnology, advanced composite materials, and launch systems tailored to small satellites.

Adam previously worked as SSTL's Advanced Technology Manager, responsible for strategic planning and fundraising for Product Development of new, cutting edge small spacecraft subsystems, for example using MEMS devices, commercial IP technologies and low power electric propulsion. Adam spent his first 3 years at SSTL in the propulsion engineering group, developing, building and testing resistojets principally for orbit control of SSTL's Disaster Monitoring Constellation. He also ran a number of small projects and studies for the UK government, ESA and the USAF European Office of Aerospace R&D (EOARD).

Prior to joining SSTL Adam spent 3 years at the former UK Defence Research Agency (now QinetiQ) as a project manager and senior engineer. He has also worked at the European Space Agency's ESTEC research centre, Los Alamos national laboratory, Aluminium materials research centres in Canada and the UK and the International Space University in Vienna, Strasbourg and Vancouver. Adam is currently on sabbatical leave from SSTL to spend some time fathering his latest project, his 6 month old daughter Thea.

The National Space Centre: Why Leicester?

Abstract
The National Space Centre is a family visitor attraction with high quality education and research facilities. Launched in 2001, it looks forward to welcoming its two millionth visitor sometime soon.

With significant lottery funding and generous sponsors, the National Space Centre charity was able to develop a landmark building with important artifacts, fun interactives, extraordinary stories and world class shows. This presentation explains how it all works and attempts to answer some of the most frequently-asked questions including, of course…

Biography
Chas has been chief executive of the National Space Centre operating company since its adoption in January 2001, having worked previously for the property company that built it. He is chairman of the East Midlands Tourism Council and a non-executive director of Leicester Shire Promotions Ltd.

Chas’ early career was spent in operations and marketing at three of The Tussauds Group’s UK attractions: Madame Tussauds, Rock Circus and Alton Towers. He has a degree in Natural Environmental Science and a masters’ degree in Leisure Management from the University of Sheffield.

"Eurisy - bridging the gap between space and society"

Abstract
Eurisy was founded 20 years ago by Hubert Curien to bridge the gap between space and society. Colin Hicks will focus on the last 3 years in which Eurisy has been running a user programme aimed at users working in local and regional authorities. He will describe that programme, its results, and the way in which European organisations which coordinate the activities of local and regional authorities are now beginning to promote the use of space derived services.

Biography
Colin Hicks worked for over 30 years in the scientific civil service finishing his career as the longest serving Director General of the British National Space Centre (1999-2006). He retired in May 2006 and was awarded a CB for "services to science". In June 2006 he became (part-time) President of Eurisy which works across Europe with non-space experts helping them to consider and evaluate the benefits of space based solutions for their down to earth problems.

April 2nd

UK Space: Reviewing 2008 and looking forward to 2009 and beyond

In this talk, Dr David Parker from BNSC will recount some of the highlights of the UK's space programme in 2008 including the ESA Ministerial meeting, and will look forward to the opportunities and challenges faced by the space community as we face more uncertain times.

April 3rd

UK space science in 2009: science enabled by technology

UK space science is benefitting from unprecedented levels of investment and many exciting projects are underway. In this talk, David Parker will explore the breadth and depth of the current programme while looking forward to possibilities for the future.

Biography

David Parker represents STFC within the BNSC partnership and has responsibility for maximising the benefits to the UK from STFC's investment in space science and planetary exploration. Dave is a UK Delegate to the ESA Science Programme Committee and also the Programme Board for Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration. He has worked in the space industry for nearly twenty years and was the head of space science business development at EADS Astrium before joining the research councils in 2004. He is a past winner of an 'Arthur' at the UK Space Conference.

Prospects for ESA Science and Exploration

Abstract

The outcome for science and exploration is very positive in many respects. A few weeks from launch, the ESA Herschel infra-red and submillimeter wave observ atory and the Planck cosmic microwave background surveyor look to be the major events in space astronomy in this International Year of Astronomy (IYA). ESA really has taken centre stage with these major new facilities.

The news is good for the future too. The 3.5% annual rise in the coming five years for space science is the biggest boost received for more than a two decades. The news is also positive on the front of long term Mars exploration as the start-up was given by ESA ministers in late 2008 for a long-term programme for Mars exploration jointly with the USA leading to a prospect of a joint Mars sample return mission sometime in the 2020's. The planned ExoMars mission fac es perhaps the biggest challenges. Although receiving new funds, they were well short of the amount originally targeted. However both Russia and the USA have indicated a keen interest in cooperation.

A summary will be given of the exisitng programme and what is to come.

Biography

David Southwood was appointed ESA Director of Science and Robotic Exploration (D/SRE) in April 2008, and took up duty on 15 June. Prof. Southwood was previously Director of Science.

After graduating in 1966, he went on obtain a PhD in Physics from Imperial College, University of London, UK. He then became a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), where he later would teach as a visiting professor. In 1971, he returned to Imperial College, eventually becoming Head of the Blackett Laboratory from 1994 until 1997.

In 1997, he joined ESA as Head of Earth Observation Strategy, where he introduced a new programme in Earth science, called 'The Living Planet'. In 1999 he returned to academia to become Regents Professor, first at UCLA and then at Imperial College. In May 2001 he was invited back to ESA to lead the Space Science programme.

Prof. Southwood is credited with more than 200 publications and scientific articles, and has worked on a variety of space missions. One of his most challenging roles was leading the team that built the Cassini magnetometer for the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini-Huygens mission, now orbiting Saturn. He has chaired a number of committees associated with space science in Europe, including the ESA Space Science Advisory Committee from 1990 to 1993 and the ESA Science Programme Committee from 1993 to 1996.

Weather and climate on Mars

Abstract

The Martian atmosphere is in many ways the most Earthlike in our solar system. This holds true both at local and global scales. If you were to stand on the surface of Mars, you’d see many atmospheric phenomena found in Earth’s deserts such as strong Earth-air temperature gradients leading to turbulence, dust storms, and convective vortices. The global atmospheric circulation is controlled by a day length and an axial tilt which are both very similar to those on Earth, which leads to many familiar phenomena such as seasonal polar ice caps and periodic cyclonic disturbances.
We have observed the atmosphere of Mars from a large number of orbiters, including the current Mars Express and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter missions. Data from the ground are much more limited, due to the low success rate of Martian landers. Our most complete record of basic atmospheric data (pressure, temperature, wind) dates from the Viking=2 0 Landers which operated from 1976 until 1982. NASA’s Phoenix lander, which landed at high latitudes in 2008, carried a LIDAR instrument which may have seen the first indications of precipitation on Mars. We’ll discuss plans for weather stations on future Mars landers, in particular ESA’s ExoMars mission.

Biography

Dr. Colin Wilson divides his time between Venus and Mars. He built a wind sensor as part of the Beagle 2 lander’s meteorological suite, and is currently developing a meteorological suite for ESA’s ExoMars mission together with colleagues at Oxford and the Open University. He also studies clouds and atmospheric dynamics on Venus, using data from ESA’s Venus Express orbiter (launched in 2003).

Royal Gunpowder Mills - Short history and the relationship to propellants

Abstract

The history of the Royal Gunpowder Mills will be described over the years from 1660 until closure in 1991.
The talk falls naturally into 3 phases; the rise in the manufacture of gunpowder up until it was superseded by guncotton and cordite in the late 1800s, work on cordite and newer explosives from 1863 to 1945 and the work, mainly on propellants from 1945 until closure in 1991.

Biography

Dr Sims graduated from the University of Manchester with an honours degree in chemistry in 1958, followed by a PhD in polymer physics in 1961. He then joined the Ministry of Defence at the then Explosives Research and Development Establishment originally undertaking research on various aspects of the synthesis and properties of polymers. In 1961 he was made head of the rubber and plastics group responsible for the application of polymers for defence (land) use.

In 1983 he became head of the Chemical Engineering group responsible for 65 professional, technical and blue collar staff working on new products, energetic intermediates and process development as well as an expanded rubber and plastics small scale manufacturing unit.

In 1989 he was transferred to Royal Ordnance Rocket Motors Division as Head of Materials.

After taking early retirement in 1994 he worked as a consultant to MoD Fort Halstead and for 3 years at DRA Farnborough as well as Doughty Aerospace and IaB consultants

Professional Achievements
During his working lif he has published over 20 scientific papers and numerous internal reports. He was appointed a Fellow of the Materials Institute in 1980 and has written a successful book on the Weathering of Polymers.

“Missions to Venus: Past, Present and Future”

Abstract

Since the dawn of the space age, planetary probes have captured the public imagination and pushed the boundaries of technology and science. Venus has a special place in this history of exploration, but until recently, this enigmatic world has largely been ignored and forgotten. With the arrival of a new mission around Venus however, it is time to re-address this omission. In this talk, we review the scientific achievements of the past few decades, the great success story that is Venus Express, and what future missions to Venus may be like.

Biography

Constantine Tsang graduated from the University of Kent with an MPhys in Physics and Space Science and Systems in 2003. He then went on to complete a DPhil using Venus Express data, at the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics department at the University of Oxford, where he’s currently a postdoctoral researcher. His main area of research is the structure and composition of the deep Venus atmosphere. He is also involved with the European Exomars rover and lander.

Exploring Mars with satellites

Abstract

The ESA satellite Mars Express has been in orbit around Mars for five years and has produced an impressive amount of science as well as the stunning pictures from the high resolution stereo camera. Planning the science operations for Mars Express has been a challenge since no month in the last five years has been 'routine'. One major priority for Mars Express was to investigate water on Mars and it has shown that there was a lot of water on Mars in the past, which has now vanished. The results from Mars Express will be discussed as well as those from the NASA satellites, Phoenix lander and rovers, which complement the Mars Express work.

Biography

Dr Helen Walker works at STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the Satellite Operations Group. She is Project Scientist for the Mars Express Payload Operations Service helping ESA and scientists plan observations of Mars. She is also Test Team Leader for the European Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope. She has been involved with astronomical satellites for 30 years. Helen is President of the Society for Popular Astronomy and Senior Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society. She is Chair of the international task group for the IYA2009 cornerstone 'She is an Astronomer'.

Eric is a former Royal Navy officer and test pilot who has flown more types of planes then anyone else in history. He even flew many German aircraft including the Me 163 rocket plane and the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet plane. He helped interview many Germans after World War II, including Wernher von Braun. He was the first person to land a jet plane on an aircraft carrier, something that was considered impossible by some.

British Intelligence and the Bomber and Missile Gaps, 1953-1961

Abstract

Throughout the 1950s American National Intelligence Estimates overestimated the USSR's ability to produce and deploy intercontinental bombers and intercontinental missiles, creating the 'bomber gap' and 'missile gap' controversies. This paper will examine why this was so, what sources were available to Western intelligence agencies on the Soviet threat, what the British thought of the Soviet threat during the same period, and will demonstrate that British analyses of the bomber and missile threat were, generally, more accurate.

Biography

Huw is reading for his PhD in the Department of International Politics in Aberystwyth University. His research is focused on the establishment of the Joint Intelligence Bureau and its work in the fields topographic, economic, and scientific intelligence, as well as the organisation of British military intelligence in the early cold war and the pressures which led to the creation of the Defence Intelligence Staff.

Opportunities for Students in the Space Industry and SSTL

Abstract

This talk will outline the experience gained by the author of obtaining work placements and full time employment in the space industry. Hints and tips will be given as well as examples of how students can increase the exposure they get to the space industry. The employment opportunities and culture of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) will be also be discussed.

Biography

James Penson was trained as a Physicist and Space Scientist at the University Of Kent (UK), and went on to study Astronautics and Space Engineering at Cranfield University (UK). Over the period of time James was a student he did internships at EADS Astrium, The Vega Group and at the Cambridge University Cavendish Laboratory. After graduating from Cranfield James went on to full time employment at SSTL, starting as a graduate systems engineer and taking on the technical lead of the Deimos-1 Earth Observation small satellite. James is now a senior systems engineer at SSTL and is involved with the launch and in orbit commissioning of Deimos-1, as well as SSTL’s GEO satellite systems engineering.

Deep Cold War
Submarine Warfare 1950-1990

Abstract

An important, if lesser known, aspect of the cold war was the degree of effort which both sides devoted to submarine warfare. Just as the Cold War followed on very quickly from the Second World War, so too did the development of the submarine. The ensuing decades were to see unimaginable advances for submarines in design and propulsion, capability and an expansion into roles undreamed of in 1945. This talk gives a brief introduction to this important subject - one which is essential to having a proper and full understanding of the Cold War.

Biography

Jock Gardner served in the Royal Navy for nearly 30 years specializing in anti-submarine warfare. He joined the Naval Historical Branch in 1994 as a historian. His books include Decoding History: the Battle of the Atlantic and Ultra (Basingstoke, Macmillan, 1999) and he has contributed an Introduction to a new edition of Patrick Beesly’s Very Special Intelligence: the Story of the Admiralty’s Operational Intelligence Centre 1939-1945 (London, Greenhill Books, 2000). A member of the Nuclear History Group, he is also a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Thor – ‘We’re not at war you know’.

Abstract

The 60 Thors operated by RAF Bomber Command from 1959-1963 received little recognition from either within or outside the Royal Air Force. Politically sensitive and seen by some as inherently vulnerable, but accepted by Harold Macmillan who was keen to re-establish the soured relations between the UK and the US arising from the Suez Campaign, the missiles were the RAF’s only operational foray into the world of ballistic nuclear missiles. Despite the inevitable differences that arise from any such joint venture, the conduct of the programme itself was, nonetheless, a significant achievement in cooperation between the two air forces. Originally seen as a stop-gap until the home grown Blue Streak became operational, the RAF seemed reluctant to show full commitment to the missiles which some saw as merely taking 4,000 servicemen unnecessarily from the ‘jewel in the crown’ V-force, a bitterness still felt to this day by many Thor crew members. The paper will reflect on the political environment in which Thor was deployed and using recent interviews with former Douglas personnel will take an alternative view on how the numerous American civilians who were involved with building the missiles in the US and the launch facilities in the UK saw the programme.

Biography

John Boyes is the author of ‘Project Emily – Thor IRBM and the RAF’. He is a trustee and treasurer of the Royal Air Force Historical Society and has had a lifelong interest in the history of early missile programmes.

ESMO - the Student led Mission to the Moon with BioLEx a Instrument Designed to Understand the Effects of the Space Environment on Bacterial Growth


The European Student Moon Orbiter (ESMO) is the responsibility of student teams drawn from ESA’s member states. In total there are 29 universities from 12 countries involved in the ESMO project each with a specific support role or subsystem. ESMO functions as not only a fantastic opportunity for current research students to get engaged in space instrumentation but also helps to inspire future generations of scientists through the resulting outreach.

The Biological Lunar Experiment (BioLEx) is an instrument being designed by a group of Open University postgraduates. The instrument will be the primary scientific payload of the ESMO spacecraft along with a narrow angle camera that will relay images of the moon for education outreach purposes.

The mission is currently scheduled to launch in 2012 where BioLEx will observe the effects of radiation and microgravity upon bacterial growth. It will do this through multiple single shot experiments throughout the various space environments experienced during the Earth-Moon transfer. Previous studies concerning the effects of the space environment upon bacteria have been restricted to Near Earth Orbit (NEO). The results from BioLEx will aid our knowledge of microbiological survival in space contributing to our understanding of key space topics such as manned spaceflight and panspermia theory.

For more details on BioLEx see - http://www.open.ac.uk/pssri/esmo/

The overall aim of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) initiative is to support the European independent utilisation of and access to space for research or services, through providing timely and quality data, information, services and knowledge regarding the environment, the threats and the sustainable exploitation of the outer space surrounding our planet Earth. SSA serves the implementation of the strategic missions of the European Space Policy based on the peaceful uses of outer space by all states, by supporting the autonomous capacity to securely and safely operate the critical European space infrastructures. In order to respond to these issues, ESA has prepared a dedicated programme proposal in view of a decision to be taken by Participating States at the next ESA Council on Ministerial level in November 2008.

During the preparatory phase of the SSA initiative, it emerged clearly that the most challenging issue to be addressed in the development of a European SSA capability concerns the set up of a suitable governance model and its associated data policy.

Though the future European SSA system will have primarily a strategic value for its stakeholders, the system will be designed to offer the potential for future business opportunities. A preliminary analysis of the potential business models shows that typical candidate customers for purchase of SSA data/products include spacecraft operators, Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) service providers, insurance companies, space application (telecommunication, satellite navigation) service providers, etc. Space weather data can additionally be of interest to terrestrial users such as, airlines, electricity suppliers and surveying companies. In the context of potential commercial exploitation, associated issues and technical boundary conditions have to be considered. In any case, it will be crucial for the future European SSA to offer added value data/information compared to freely available products.

In-depth discussions dedicated to these issues, in particular with representatives of the interested Member States and prospective stakeholders. This approach will prepare the decision on a suitable operational governance model, needed to achieve an initial operational capability of the future SSA system.

In order to support the stakeholders’ debate on the identification of such a governance model, ESA has completed several studies, awarding contracts to ESPI and other major European think-tanks, consultancy and law firms . This paper presents and discusses the preliminary indications emerging from these studies, with a particular attention to the potential partnership models among the various involved institutional and commercial entities.

With the endorsement of the European Security Strategy together with the Climate Change and International Security in 2008, European governments committed to give the EU the tools to address security risks induced by climate changes, humanitarian crisis, natural and industrial disasters, terrorism, regional conflicts, organized crime and state failure. Space capabilities could significantly contribute in these areas, but still need to develop into a more mature dimension, as demonstrated by GMES studies such as those on the core service on emergency response, or LIMES, or the on-going G-MOSAIC. The “S of GMES” needs to be substantially improved in order to meet the operational requirements of ESDP or civil security. In each major crisis situation, senior operational officers report shortfalls in tactical space capabilities, such as those intended to provide communications and imagery data to the operations on theatre. While space assets has demonstrated in the past their indisputable added value in support of strategic decision making, margin for improvements exist to make space systems more responsive/reactive (measured in term of time to respond to users' request), more robust (time to restore the strategic capability) and more affordable.

Initial Earth observation providers competed mainly on pixel quality (i.e. ground sampling distance, number of colour bands, radiometric calibration, etc.). Today they are competing on information attributes as: “Responsiveness”, “Freshness” (Time to customer), “Synopticity”(Swath width and length) or “Affordability”. The ultimate goal is not to blanket the Earth with coverage, but to get the right information to the right people, when they need it.

Europe has currently only some developments complying with the needs of Responsive Space, mostly through scarcely coordinated efforts in industry and agencies, in areas as highly reactive/reconfigurable constellations, formation flight, agility, Plug and Play sensors/platform integration, rapid launch campaign concepts, mini/micro/nano standardised platforms. In order to structure this landscape the European Space Agency has initiated an investigation study concerning the potential and progressive development of a coordinated European Responsive Space initiative for crisis management. The main objectives of the study are (i) the definition of the perimeter and the identification of the European needs regarding operational responsive space through the assistance of a Users’ Representative Group, (ii) the description of European related available tools, technologies and assets, and (iii) the assessment of these existing capabilities leading to the identification of capability gaps. The study will also provide an indication regarding the potential architectural solutions and related technological development roadmaps.

_______________________________________
¹ European Space Policy Institute (Wien)
² FRS, IAI and other partners

Polaris, East of Suez: British plans for a Nuclear Force in the Indo-Pacific, 1965-68.

Abstract

This paper investigates the plans formulated between 1965 and 1968 by Harold Wilson’s Labour government to deploy Polaris submarines in the Indo-Pacific region. The scheme was proposed as a response to several problems faced by British policymakers, including China’s acquisition of a nuclear capability, Britain’s wish to maintain a meaningful position ‘East of Suez’ at reduced cost, and German pressure for equal treatment within NATO over nuclear matters. Despite extensive high-level discussion, the plans were finally abandoned in mid-1968, as Labour moved more decisively to forsake the world role.

Bbiography

Matthew Jones is Professor of American Foreign Relations at the University of Nottingham, and is currently working on the official history of the Chevaline programme. His most recent book is entitled After Hiroshima: The United States, Race, and Nuclear Weapons in Asia, 1945-1965 and is forthcoming with Cambridge University Press.

Future Science Missions

Abstract

This talk will describe the work currently going on in Astrium UK in the area of space science and planetary exploration. The emphasis will be on how a space prime contractor approaches the preparation for future missions and the types of activity involved in the early stages (from Pre-Phase A to Phase B). Ongoing and recent mission assessments will be described including Marco-Polo (asteroid sample return), Cross-Scale (magnetosphere), Solar Orbiter and Mars Sample Return.

Biography

Matthew joined Astrium in 2006 and is currently head of space science and exploration for Future Programmes in the UK. He moved to Astrium following six years at Logica where he latterly led business development in Earth Observation (EO). During this time he was also active in BARSC, the British Association of Remote Sensing Companies, serving as chairman from 2005 for two years. His highlight as BARSC Chairman was giving oral evidence to a Parliamentary inquiry on space policy. Matthew started in Earth observation at Silsoe College (now Cranfield university) in 1985 where he had a spell as a lecturer in Applied Remote Sensing. When the college won a contract to map landscape change in the British National Parks he got the project bug. He moved into the commercial world in 1989 working for an EO software house and then a small company (Remote Sensing Applications Consultants) before joining Logica. His past projects have included making the first global vegetation fire map, checking farm subsidy claims using satellite
imagery and GIS consultancy on a watershed development project in the Himalayan foothills. Today he is concerned with securing good UK roles on future missions including Mars Sample Return, Solar Orbiter, asteroid missions, and the European probe to Ganymede, one of Jupiter's moons.

Revealing the Obscured Universe with ESA's Herschel Space Observatory

Abstract

ESA's Herschel Space Observatory is due for launch this Spring and will carry the largest astronomical mirror ever put into space to study the coldest and most distant objects in the Universe. I will describe Herschel's capabilities and the exciting prospects of revealing star formation in the distant Universe. In particular I will address the scientific questions concerning galaxy evolution that Herschel will help answer in the next few years.

Biography

Nick Seymour is an astronomer at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory working on deep radio and infrared observations of the distant Universe. His research interests include galaxy evolution and their connection to supermassive black holes. He obtained his PhD. in 2002 from the University of Southampton before working at the
Instiut d'Astrophysics de Paris and at Caltech, Pasadena, California.

Apollo 11 – pushing the limits of navigation
By Pat Norris

Pat Norris will describe his involvement with the navigation of Apollo 11 to and from its lunar landing, during which some interesting scientific challenges were encountered:

• the longitude of points on the earth’s surface proved to be a problem for navigation 200 years after John Harrison had “solved” it
• the moon’s gravity field proved to be much “rougher” than expected, putting the actual landing point outside the error ellipse of the planned landing site.

As a result of these problems the Apollo 11 astronauts did not get the visual cues they expected based on pre-launch simulations, and the terrain that they encountered was more rugged than expected.

Fixes were in place in time for the second moon landing 4 months later, so that it was a short stroll for the astronauts from Apollo 12 to the robotic lander, Surveyor 3, that was used as a target.


About the presenter
Pat Norris was the Manager of the Apollo Navigation Task Force at TRW Systems in Houston from 1967 to 1970. He is currently Manager of Space & Defence Strategy at Logica and Chairman of the Royal Aeronautical Society Space Group.

The Host Galaxies of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts

Abstract

Long Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) are the aftermath of the catastrophic collapse of a giant star, marking the birth of a black hole. During outburst a GRB releases a vast amount of energy that outshines its host galaxy by many orders of magnitudes, providing a torch to distant, dim galaxies that would otherwise be undetectable. The local environments of GRBs, therefore, do not only provide important insight into the conditions that lead to these phenomenal explosions, but also provide a sample of young, distant, star-forming galaxies that are independent of the luminosities of the galaxies themselves, providing a highly effective probe into the conditions in the distant Universe. The current suite of rapid-response robotic telescopes and the last four years of prompt, multi-wavelength GRB observations provided by the NASA Swift space mission have greatly contributed to our understanding of GRB progenitors and their environments. In this talk I shall discuss the latest developments in our understanding of the population of long GRB hosts, and consider likely future directions.

Biography

I work as a PostDoc Research Assistant at Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), in Surrey, which is part of UCL. My main research areas are Gamma-Ray Busts (GRBs), which, during their initial ouburst, are the most luminous objects in the Universe, releasing a vast amount of energy in gamma-ray within a few hundred seconds. This is followed by a long lasting afterglow that spans several energy bands, from the X-ray, through optical to radio wavelengths, and my interest in GRBs is primarily focused on the afterglow, which acts as a backdrop that shines light through its host galaxy, thus revealing its composition.

Most of my work so far has involved the use of X-ray, UV, and optical data from the revolutionary US/UK/Italian space mission, Swift. Swift is rapid-response multiwavelength spacecraft that monitors a third of the sky at any one time with its large Burst Alert Telescope (BAT), looking out for any signs of GRBs. It is equipped with an X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and UV/Optical Telescope (UVOT), and when the BAT is triggered by a GRB, the spacecraft slews to bring the source into the field of view of the XRT and UVOT, taking simulataneous and multi-wavelength of the GRB and its afterglow within 60-secs.

My most recent research has involved the spectral analysis of the broadband spectral energy distributions of a large sample of GRB afterglows to investigate the dust extinction (absorption and scattering of light) and soft X-ray absorption that is imprinted on the afterglow. This works as a highly effective probe with which to explore the dust and gas in the surrounding environments of GRBs, and thus providing a better handle of the types of galaxies that GRBs are formed in.

ExoMars - The Search for Life

Abstract

Following a brief overview of Astrium and its activities, the ExoMars mission is covered in detail, including evidence for water on Mars, getting ExoMars down to the surface, deployment, key features and the role of Bridget. The talk will be followed by a demonstration of Bridget, as well as an explationation of how she copes with demanding terrain.

Biography

Paul Meacham joined EADS Astrium in September 2006, following graduation from Leicester University with a Master degree in 'Physics with Space Science and Technology'. Paul spent two years on the Graduate Development Scheme, completing placements in areas such as System Engineering, AIT, Product Assurance and Mission Systems. He is now the Operations Engineer for the Locomotion Performance Model on the ExoMars Rover Vehicle Project (lead out of Astrium UK).

Life beyond the Solar System

Abstract

Since the discovery in 1995 of the first planet beyond the Solar System in orbit around a normal star, there has been a trickle of discoveries such that now over 300 planets are known to orbit stars beyond the Sun. Some are known to be in systems with more than one planet. I’ll outline how these discoveries have been made and how many Earth-type planets capable of supporting life might be discovered in the next few decades. I’ll conclude by summarising how we will be able to tell whether a planet does indeed support life.

Biography

I am Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at the Open University. I’ve had a career-long interest in extraterrestrial life, and since 1999 I have conducted research into exoplanets (planets orbiting other stars). In particular my group has been modelling known exoplanetary systems, to see whether Earth-type planets could survive in the system’s habitable zone – at present the great majority of exoplanets are uninhabitable giant planets, giants being easier to find than the much smaller Earth-type planets. My recent book “The Search for Life Continued: Planets Around Other Stars” (Springer-Praxis 2008) is a popular science book about our quest to find life beyond the Solar System.

The Climate Problem from Space

Abstract

Everyone is aware that we Earthlings face problems as a result of climate change predicted to occur in the present century. Observations from space are an important part of detecting change and understanding the basic processes at work. In addition to satellite observations of the Earth, insights are being obtained from missions to Mars (where the geological record clearly shows that major climate change has occurred) and Venus (which already has a massive case of CO2-H2O-aerosol induced global warming, like Earth's but much worse). The physics is the same on all three planets and some intriguing comparisons are emerging.

Biography

Fred Taylor is Halley Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford and a Distinguished Visiting Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Richard Garriott became the sixth private space explorer when he travelled to the International Space Station aboard Soyuz TMA-13 in October. He is an entrepreneur, adventurer, legendary computer games designer, and of course now also an astronaut.

Richard was born on July 4th, 1961 in Cambridge, England. He is the son of astronaut Owen Garriott (Skylab, Spacelab).

Richard has held a passion towards the space industry and has invested in various related ventures such as the Zero-G corporation, X-Prize, Spacehab, and is currently vice-chairman of Space Adventures. He has even participated in many space simulated training activities such as Zero-G parabolas, centrifuge simulations of Soyuz launch and landing, and Mig 25 flights to the edge of space.

To find out more visit http://www.richardinspace.com

Replacing Red Beard

Abstract

The paper will cover the development history of Britain's multi-purpose nuclear bomb WE177, from its inception in 1958 to service entry in the mid 1960s, drawing on newly declassified Air Ministry papers.

Political background, RAF and Royal Navy requirements, warhead design and development difficulties will all be addressed.

Biography

Richard Moore is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Mountbatten Centre for  International Studies, University of Southampton. He has published a number of  articles on British nuclear history, and a book The Royal Navy and Nuclear Weapons (2001). His second book, Nuclear Illusion, Nuclear Reality: Britain, the United States and Nuclear Weapons 1958-64, is likely to appear during 2009.

A review of British new space / alt space launchers and spaceplanes.

Abstract

An overview is presented of current British space launchers and spaceplanes (manned and unmanned) under consideration (or more), in the British new space / alt space community, ranging from those where hardware is being built (Skylon and Canary), well developed concepts such as Ascender through to air launched concepts such as Black Cab, Swift and rocket launched concepts such as Diamondback.

A miniaturised electrostatic energy analyser for space plasmas

Abstract

Electrostatic analysers for space plasma measurements have traditionally been a few kg in mass and a few litres in volume, e.g. the CAPS instrument on Cassini and the PEACE instruments on Cluster. At MSSL we are currently developing an innovative new miniaturised design that should be as powerful as the traditional instruments but at a tiny fraction of their size and mass. The miniaturisation will be made possible using micro-fabrication techniques and could enable some science missions that are currently prohibited by mass, power, volume and cost restrictions. One potential use for the miniaturised instrument might be on CubeSats (~1kg 10x10x10cm satellites). In the near future we are hoping to fly a prototype of the plasma analyser on a technology demonstration CubeSat.

Biography

My MSci masters project was at the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation at Durham University where I was working on a new approach to wave-front correction for adaptive optics for astronomical telescopes. I joined MSSL in March 2008 to work on the development of a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) based plasma analyser as an STFC/Astrium CASE PhD student in the Instrument Science and Plasma groups.

An X-ray view of Active Galactic Nuclei

Abstract

Many galaxies have very luminous central regions, brighter than the sum of all the stars in the galaxy. This class of objects have what is called active galactic nuclei (AGN), a powerful source of energy, concentrated in a compact region in the galaxies' centre. Understanding the physics behind AGN is a very challenging subject, it is now believed that they are powered by gas accretion onto a supermassive black hole with masses of a million up to a billion times the mass of the Sun. Observations of X-rays from these objects allow us to access the high energy processes and obtain information about how AGN emit radiation, how they evolve in time and affect the surrounding material.
In this talk, I will be giving a general view on how AGN were discovered and what we know about them. I will also refer to ongoing and future work in this field, and how observations can help uncover the physical mechanism responsible for AGN activity.

BepiColombo: Three UK Propulsion Systems to Planet Mercury

Abstract

Following the BepiColombo mission overview presented last year, this presentation will focus on the role of the propulsion systems. Three different propulsion systems are being developed by Astrium to fulfil the requirements of the Mercury mission. An electric propulsion system, together with a Bipropellant chemical propulsion system shall carry two probes to Mercury. A third Dual Mode chemical propulsion system (the first in Europe) will provide thrust for the European planetary probe. All three systems are being designed engineered and assembled in the UK. The presentation will outline the propulsion systems functions capabilities, design philosophy and engineering approach for this challenging mission to Mercury.

Biography

Stuart Bucknell is a Principal Propulsion Engineer for EADS Astrium and has been involved in both chemical and electric propulsion systems at sub-system and system level since 1996. Initially working on chemical rocket engines for Royal Ordnance, and later Atlantic Research, he joined Astrium in 2001 to work with electric propulsion systems at their Portsmouth facility. In 2004 he transferred to Astrium Stevenage returning to chemical propulsion as a systems architect designing propulsion systems for telecommunications and scientific spacecraft. Presently he is in charge of the chemical propulsion systems design for the BepiColombo programme.

Towards a history of AWRE Orford Ness 1956-1971

Abstract

The association of the Ministry of Supply experimental range at Orford Ness with the nuclear weapons programme began about 1951 when the Royal Aircraft Establishment initiated trials into the best ballistic shape for the Bomb’s casing.

To complement the full size drops from aircraft a model ballistics range was also built. In late 1955, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE) identified Orford Ness as a suitably remote location for the environmental testing of nuclear weapons prior to overseas trials and service use.

Today, former AWRE Orford Ness is one of the National Trust’s more unusual properties, a landscape shaped by science and high politics. Internationally, it is the only freely accessible nuclear weapons testing site. Despite this physical access few official documents describing AWRE’s activities at Orford Ness have been released in to the public domain.

This paper will present the results of recent English Heritage investigations into the ‘industrial archaeology’ of atomic weapons research and development at AWRE Orford Ness.

Biography

Wayne Cocroft is a Senior Archaeological Investigator with English Heritage’s Archaeological Survey & Investigation team. Since the early 1990s he has specialised in the investigation of modern military sites and is the author of Dangerous Energy the archaeology of gunpowder and military explosives manufacture (2000), co-author of Cold War building for nuclear confrontation 1946-1989 (2003), co-editor of A Fearsome Heritage diverse legacies of the Cold War (2007), and many articles on these topics. In this field his particular interests are munitions factories, military research and development sites, and the archaeology of rocketry.


Wayne Cocroft
English Heritage
Brooklands
24 Brooklands Avenue
Cambridge
CB2 8BU

wayne.cocroft@english-heritage.org.uk

Thee Cosmic Microwave Background and its Statistical Analysis

The cosmic microwave background radiation (hereafter CMB) is one of the most important pieces of evidences in the Cosmology of the Big Bang. It is a relic of the photons that decoupled from matter about 13 thousand million years ago. Before the last scattering of the photons, the Universe was like an impenetrable fog, whilst since the last scattering, these photons have been able to travel freely through space, and we can detect and study them using satellites. By analyzing the CMB data from the COBE and WMAP satellites we believe that the concordance model of cosmology (which postulates a universe mostly containing cold dark matter, undergoing an accelerating expansion due to 'dark energy') could fit the current angular power spectrum very well. However, the low multipole moment measurement of the CMB temperature fluctuation is much lower than the theoretical predictions. This gives rise to many theoretical arguments that there may be large-scale anomalies in the CMB. My PhD project is to investigate whether this low multipole is a real violation of the concordance model (which would indicate the need for new physics), or purely statistical variance induced by non-optimal estimators. We are currently comparing different statistical estimators for the angular power spectrum data to try to work out the optimal estimator for the temperature correlation function, which will be very useful when the new data from the Planck satellite come in.