Transcript Signals from the Edge

Towards the Inaugural Australian Decadal
Plan for Space Science: 2007-2016
Plan Steering Committee
(Iver H. Cairns, Brett Biddington, Graziella Caprarelli, Jon
Clarke, David Cole, Peter Dyson, Brian Fraser, Alex Held,
Marc Norman, Carol Oliver, Andrew Parfitt, Peter
Robinson, Malcolm Walter, Bob Vincent, and John Zilman)
I. What is Space Science?
II. Draft Vision
III. Process & Timeline
IV. Science Themes
V. A Taste of the Proposed Science
VI. Summary.
ESA/DEST 16/3/07
[See www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~ncss for Plan status and documents.]
I. What is Space Science?
• Science of solar
system phenomena
and objects.
• Science of space &
science from space
• “Everything above the tropopause”.
What is Space Science?
Space Science includes:
• space physics and
space weather
• planetary geology
• remote sensing of
Earth … from orbit
• astrobiology
• space technology
Astronomy  extra-solar system,
Earth Sciences  surface and below.
II. Intentions for the Decadal Plan
• Build a sustainable world-class community of Australian
space scientists.
• Present exciting, widely-agreed, visionary research
themes and projects directed towards longterm scientific
goals of the Australian space science community.
• Link the research and goals with the interests and
requirements of Australian constituencies: Government,
Industry, wider scientific community, and public.
• Develop and optimize the space science community for
the nation’s benefit.
• Be the official position of the space science community
and Academy on major science and funding projects.
• Lead to increased Government funding of space science.
III. Process (see www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~ncss)
Sun to Ground
Decadal Plan Steering
Committee
Planetary
Sciences
Remote
sensing
Public Outreach
Working Group
Science
Working
Groups
Theory, Mod.,
& data
Ground
Space Weather
Demographics
Working Group
Industry /
Science
Working
Groups
Government
Working Group
Space Tech
• Steering Committee: final responsibility for the development, writing, approval,
and publication of the Decadal Plan.
• Working Group: researches a specific component of the Decadal Plan and then
provides recommendations.
• Now writing Draft Plan & refining inputs (mid 2007 release).
Participants
Auspace
ANU
Bureau of Meteorology
Cisco Systems
CRCSI
Geoscience Australia
IPS Radio and Space Services
Macquarie University
University of Newcastle
University of Queensland
University of South Australia
University of Technology, Sydney
Vipac
Aust. Govt Antarctic Division
British Aerospace Australia
Bureau of Rural Science
COSSA
DSTO
Gravitec
La Trobe University
University of Adelaide
University of NSW
University of Sydney
University of Southern Queensland
University of Western Australia
WA Department of Land Inform.
Timeline & Proposed Schedule
•
September 2005
- NCSS announces Development of Decadal Plan
- release of Draft Structure, Purview, and Strawman documents
•
October 2005
- Deadline for initial feedback
•
March – July 2006
- Working Group period
•
August-November
- Steering Committee meetings, visits & Plan talks
•
September 2006
- LASP Proposal written & submitted
•
Jan 2007
- LASP proposal approved
•
March - June 2007
- Writing & Refining Draft Plan
•
June 2007
- Draft Plan Released for Comment
•
July 2007
- Townhall Meeting for final revisions & Adoption
•
Aug – ? 2007
- Release of Plan (dependent on election)
•
Sept 2007
- Implementation Workshop
IV. Global Science Themes (draft)
(i)
Sun and Space to Earth (SSE)
Understand how activity on the Sun and in space develops throughout the solar
system and affects humans and human technology.
(ii)
Plasma to Planets (P2P)
Understand evolution from plasma & dust to the present-day Sun, Earth, and
other solar system bodies and then beyond.
(iii)
(OAEPS)
Observing Australia, Earth and Planets from Space
Remotely sense and model the atmosphere, climate, oceans, surface, life, and
geology of Australia, Earth and other planets and solar system bodies.
(iv)
Life and Technology in Space (LIFTS)
Understand the effects of space’s harsh environment on life and technology,
develop space technology, and consider how life evolved on Earth and perhaps
elsewhere?
V. Taste of Science & Projects (Draft)
• Foci: (i) our strengths & (ii) interests of
Government / industry.
• Coordination Center / Corp.
•
•
•
•
•
1 Grand Challenge project (Sundiver)
2-3 Flagship projects (e.g., Lightning, Octant)
Smaller projects (Digi-radar, balloons, nanosats)
Education & Training
Collaboration on international projects
Flagship: “Octant” (Themes SSE,
P2P, & LIFTS.)
• To study Sun-Earth connections & space weather from Sun to
magnetosphere to ionosphere/ground on a global basis (pole ↔ equator).
• To measure and model (equator to pole) the dynamics, and coupling of
the atmosphere, ionosphere, & magnetosphere over Australian region.
o
o
International Links:
Meridian (China)
American chains
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
• Instrument ~1/8 World’s surface: Radar, optical/IR, GPS TEC & scints,
magnetometer, digisonde, solar radio, and radio comms.
• Connection to FedSat and international space/ground networks
• Provide vital ionospheric info for SKA, NTD, MWA etc. (justify in Oz).
• Provide ionospheric, atmospheric, and comms info (and cover) ….
Lightning-1 & -2: Flagship Concept
L2
L1
• 1 equatorial,
• 1 highly inclined.
• 250-1000 km altitude
(alterable)
• Upgradable
• Dynamics of equatorial to highlatitude ionosphere & atmosphere
• Lightning, sprites & global
electrodynamic circuit.
• Greenhouse gases & climate
change, local and large-scale –
measurement & verification.
• Remote sensing Australia
• Gravimetric & magnetic maps of
Australia (geodesy, minerals..)
• Demonstrate Australian
technologies (electric propulsion,
spacecraft/comms, instruments)
• Beacon/Rec for ionospheric radars
Grand Challenge: Sundiver (All themes)
OVERVIEW
Objectives:
• World first: in situ investigation of the
coronal and inner solar wind plasma via
infalling spacecraft.
• First Australian investigation of a
planet’s surface and atmosphere via a
close gravity-assist flyby. (Moon, Venus
Mercury, asteroids, comets etc.)
• Use ANU space propulsion system.
Applications:
•
•
Graphite Sun shield?
Discover corona’s heating mechanism. Design – simplified by certain death.
Planetary geology (grav/mag) + atmos •Redundancy: 2 spacecraft at once?
MISSION / INSTRUMENTS
•Magnetometer, plasma waves.plasma &
neutral measurements.
• Imaging & spectrometers.
• Propulsion : major orbit changes
RESOURCES TBD
Time Line: 5-10 years?
Collaboration: As required. .
VI. Overview
•
•
•
•
•
NCSS & the Steering Committee are developing
the first Australian Decadal Plan for Space
Science: 2007-2016,
www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~ncss .
Plan launch expected in second half of 2007.
Exciting world-class science and technology that
is interdisciplinary, involves the enabling
sciences, & has many applications with vital
national benefit.
Major training and education components.
Strong international links.