The European Space Agency and its successful Science Programme

2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Cavallo
Keyword(s):  
International Collaboration ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Decision Procedures ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Science Programme ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Successful Science ◽  
Detailed Outline

The article gives, first of all, a general presentation of the European Space Agency (ESA), followed by a more detailed outline of the ESA's Science Programme, its content, resources, organization, advisory structure and decision procedures. The various types of missions and the place they occupy in the programme are described. From a scientific point of view, these missions fit into four main themes of research, which are also potential ‘roadmaps’ for international collaboration. In the second part of the article, an outline is given of most of the projects that have been already undertaken, are in process or are being planned at the present time.

Europe's Path To Mars: The European Space Agency's Mars Express Mission

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arturo Russo
Keyword(s):  
Selection Process ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Mars Exploration ◽  
Mars Express ◽  
The Public ◽  
Science Programme ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
History Of

Mars Express is the first planetary mission accomplished by the European Space Agency (ESA). Launched in early June 2003, the spacecraft entered Mars's orbit on Christmas day of that year, demonstrating the new European commitment to planetary exploration. Following a failed attempt in the mid-1980s, two valid proposals for a European mission to Mars were submitted to ESA's decision-making bodies in the early 1990s, in step with renewed international interest in Mars exploration. Both were rejected, however, in the competitive selection process for the agency's Science Programme. Eventually, the Mars Express proposal emerged during a severe budgetary crisis in the mid-1990s as an exemplar of a “flexible mission” that could reduce project costs and development time. Its successful maneuvering through financial difficulties and conflicting scientific interests was due to the new management approach as well as to the public appeal of Mars exploration. In addition to providing a case study in the functioning of the ESA's Science Programme, the story of Mars Express discussed in this paper provides a case study in the functioning of the European Space Agency's Science Programme and suggests some general considerations on the peculiar position of space research in the general field of the history of science and technology.

scholarly journals The Hipparcos Catalogue: 10th anniversary and its legacy

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S248) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
C. Turon ◽  
F. Arenou
Keyword(s):  
Historical Perspective ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Space Missions ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
10Th Anniversary ◽  
Science Programme ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Hipparcos Catalogue ◽  
Giant Step ◽  
And Performance

AbstractThe European Space Agency decision to include the Hipparcos satellite into its Science Programme is placed in the context of the years 1965-1980 and in the historical perspective of the progress of astrometry. The motivation and ideas which lead to the Hipparcos design are reviewed as well as its characteristics and performance. The amount and variety of applications represent an impressive evolution from the original science case and opened the way to much more ambitious further space missions, especially Gaia, based on the same basic principles. A giant step in technology led to a giant step in science. Next steps are presented at this Symposium.

scholarly journals Calibration Techniques for Studying Venus and Mars Atmospheres

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-261
Author(s):  
Edoardo Gramigna
Keyword(s):  
Radio Occultation ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Mars Atmosphere ◽  
Radio Science ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Spacecraft Trajectory ◽  
Venus Express ◽  
Calibration Techniques ◽  
Venus Atmosphere

AbstractThe European Space Agency Venus Express mission (VEX) was sent to Venus in 2005 to unveil the unsolved mysteries regarding its atmosphere, the plasma environment and its temperatures. Radio occultation experiments performed by VeRa radio science instrument probed the planet’s atmosphere by studying the frequency shift on the radio signal sent by the spacecraft to Earth-based ground stations. This study carries out the calibration of the radio frequencies within a radio occultation experiment in order to correct the main sources of error as: thermal noise, spacecraft clock, spacecraft trajectory, and plasma noise. Any uncalibrated effects will bias the retrieval of atmospheric properties. A comparison of the occultation experiments between Venus and Mars is presented, both from the engineering and scientific point of view, through the analysis of Venus Express and Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) occultations data, highlighting stronger calibrations required for VEX, the extreme, hostile, thick Venus’ atmosphere, and a friendly, thin Mars’ atmosphere. This investigation analyzes Venus Express data recorded by the NASA Deep Space Network in 2014, and the results are compatible to previous studies of Venus atmosphere with VEX between 2006 and 2009.

Detecting microbial pigments from gypsum using Raman spectroscopy: from field prospection to laboratory studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Jehlicka ◽  
Kateřina Němečková ◽  
Adam Culka
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Osmotic Solutes ◽  
Pigment Distribution ◽  
Cyanobacteria And Algae ◽  
Detection Of Biomarkers ◽  
Portable Raman

<p>Terrestrial detection of biomarkers in various mineral matrices using Raman spectrometers including field deploying of miniature instrumentation in Mars-analogue sites can be seen as a training for next Martian missions. In fact, both the European Space Agency (Exomars) and North American Space Agency (Mars 2020) robotic rovers will include Raman spectrometers. Feasibility of detecting biomarkers of extremophilic cyanobacteria and algae (pigments, osmotic solutes and lipids) using Raman microspectrometry was reviewed previously. Here the idea is to show - firstly how portable Raman instrumentation permits to detect carotenoids fast and onsite under field conditions. Secondly, laboratory microspectrometric investigations allow to obtain more detailed information about spatial distribution of pigments originating from microorganisms.</p><p>Macrocrystalline gypsum layers and aggregates are well-known from Tertiary series in Sicily and Eastern Poland. In Southern Sicily gypsum sediments accumulated during Messinian crisis (Late Miocene) are outcroping and were investigated near Scala dei Turchi, Torre Salsa and Siculiana Marina. Polish Tertiary (Badenian, Middle Miocene) examples of gypsum colonisations of decimetre long outcropping crystals were studied near Chotel Czerwony, Skorocice and Chwalowice. Miniature portable Raman spectrometers equipped with green lasers allowing recording of resonance Raman signals of carotenoids are evaluated here. Possibilities of collecting spectra of carotenoids under non-resonant conditions using a portable sequentially shifted Raman spectrometer (785 and 853nm lasers) are shown as well. Observed shifts of positions of Raman features of carotenoids between gypsum samples (and sites) are discussed and critically evaluated. In addition, acquired data are compared to data obtained through laboratory Raman microspectrometric investigations. Selected zones of microbial colonisations of few types of gypsum are described from the point of view of the presence of algae and cyanobacteria. Pigments are detected through conventional Raman microspectrometric measurements. Carotenoids were documented in major part of samples (common Raman bands at around 1525, 1157, and 1004 cm<sup>−1</sup>). Additionally, Raman spectra of other pigments were recorded in several zones using near infrared excitation (785 nm): chlorophyll (1151, 1327, 1287, 1184, 917, and 745 cm<sup>−1</sup>), scytonemin (1593, 1152, 1438, and 1173 cm<sup>−1</sup>) and phycobiliproteins (1633, 1584, 1371, 1236, 813, and 667 cm<sup>−1</sup>).</p><p>Portable instrumentation permits detection of carotenoids in gypsum fast and onsite under field conditions. Raman microspectrometric investigations of colonisations allow to gather detailed information about pigment distribution in micrometric zones of gypsum samples.</p>

scholarly journals Black Hole Results from XMM-Newton

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-174
Author(s):  
Norbert Schartel
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Successful Science

XMM-Newton is one of the most successful science missions of the  European Space Agency. Since 2003 every year about 300 articles are published in refereed journals making directly use of XMM-Newton data. All XMM-Newton calls for observing proposals are highly oversubscribed by factors of six and more. In the following some scientic highlights of XMM-Newton observations of black holes are summarized.

Animal experiments: Biological experiments in Spacelab

1977 ◽  
Vol 199 (1137) ◽  
pp. 479-483 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Zero Gravity ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cooperative Project

Towards the end of 1980 the first Spacelab will be launched. It represents the culmination of a major cooperative project between the nations subscribing to the European Space Agency and N. A. S. A. The Spacelab module contains a laboratory inside which a wide range of experiments can be carried out in an environment which, apart from the absence of gravity, is not unlike that of a terrestrial laboratory. From the point of view of the life scientist it represents an opportunity to carry out experiments to investigate the effect of zero gravity or modu­lated gravity on biological preparations including man. The first mission will last seven days, but subsequent missions planned for the decade 1980-1990 may last up to thirty days. The purpose of the paper is to introduce participants to the facilities which are available in Spacelab and to explain the procedure by which experiments may be proposed. There is also a discussion of the present funding arrangements in the United Kingdom.

Semi-privacy and Color Application as Elements of Habitability in Concept Designs for Extra-terrestrial Habitation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Kerber ◽  
Ariane Wanske ◽  
Michaela Musilova ◽  
Bernard Foing
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Private Space ◽  
Ground Support ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Terrestrial Habitats

<p><strong>Introduction<br></strong>Concepts for designs of extra-terrestrial habitats are experiencing a growing importance in the space industry. New technologies and innovative materials bring the need for novel spatial arrangements in these habitats. Two of the most important components to improve habitability in extra-terrestrial habitats - the situation of privacy and color application - have been addressed in a lunar simulation (EMMIHS-II) at the Hawai´i Space Exploration Analog and Simulations (HI-SEAS) habitat. This analog astronaut mission was initiated by the European Space Agency’s (ESA) EuroMoonMars (EMM) and International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG) in cooperation with the International MoonBase Alliance (IMA).<br>The question of how much privacy is necessary to create a liveable environment in an extra-terrestrial habitat has engaged space architects for the last decades. [1] The same keen interest has been attributed to the importance of color in guiding architectural conceptions in the often colour-less environment of outer space. [2] <br>Less attention has been paid to the issue of semi-private space. Past analog astronaut missions at the HI-SEAS facility came across not only a lack of private space but also a scarcity of areas crew members could retreat to without completely leaving the common space. [2] Such semi-private areas bear great potential both from a spatial and psychological point of view.</p><p><strong>Methodology<br></strong>The research results presented here are based on several experiments conducted during the EMMIHS-II lunar simulation at the HI-SEAS Mars/Moon Research Facility.Potential benefits on crew cohesion, work effectiveness and personal mood were studied through setting up a semi-private area and assessing its use by the crew.<br>Further experiments investigated the analog astronauts’ reaction to disparate color situations inside the habitat and this semi-private space.<br>The findings will serve as a basis for future architectural design concepts in extra-terrestrial habitats and also offer the potential for further investigations during future analog missions.</p><p><strong>Acknowledgements<br></strong>First, we would like to thank our fellow EMMIHS-II crew members (M. Musilova, A. J. D’Angelo, A. P. Castro de Paula Nunes, C.R. Pouwels) and the EMMIHS-II mission sponsors. In addition, our gratitude goes out to the HI-SEAS Mission Control, ground support at ESA/ESTEC and the ILEWG EuroMoonMars manager, Prof. B. H. Foing, for enabling this research.</p><p> </p><p><strong>References<br></strong>[1] K. Kennedy, S. Capps (2000). Designing Space Habitation. Space 2000. 10.1061/40479(204)6.<br>[2] I. Schlacht, H. Birke (2011). Space design: Visual interface of space habitats. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing. 15. 497-509. 10.1007/s00779-010-0326-4.<br>[3] S. Häuplik-Meusburger, K. Binsted et al (2017). Habitability Studies and Full Scale Simulation Research: Preliminary themes following HISEAS mission IV.<br>[4] Musilova, M., Rogers, H., Foing, B.H. et al (2019). EMM IMA HI-SEAS campaign February 2019. EPSC-DPS2019-1152.<br>[5] EuroMoonMars Instruments, Research, Field Campaigns and Activities 2017-2019. Foing, B.H., EuroMoonMars 2018-2019 Team. 2019 LPI Contrib. No. 3090.</p>

scholarly journals Mars and the ESA Science Programme - the case for Mars polar science

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Thomas ◽  
P. Becerra ◽  
I. B. Smith
Keyword(s):  
European Space Agency ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Orbital Parameters ◽  
Polar Caps ◽  
Robotic Exploration ◽  
Science Programme ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Polar Science ◽  
Climatic Evolution ◽  
General Goal

AbstractCurrent plans within the European Space Agency (ESA) for the future investigation of Mars (after the ExoMars programme) are centred around participation in the Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme led by NASA. This programme is housed within the Human and Robotic Exploration (HRE) Directorate of ESA. This White Paper, in response to the Voyage 2050 call, focuses on the important scientific objectives for the investigation of Mars outside the present HRE planning. The achievement of these objectives by Science Directorate missions is entirely consistent with ESA’s Science Programme. We illustrate this with a theme centred around the study of the Martian polar caps and the investigation of recent (Amazonian) climate change produced by known oscillations in Mars’ orbital parameters. Deciphering the record of climate contained within the polar caps would allow us to learn about the climatic evolution of another planet over the past few to hundreds of millions of years, and also addresses the more general goal of investigating volatile-related dynamic processes in the Solar System.

scholarly journals Detailed Modeling of Cork-Phenolic Ablators in Preparation for the Post-flight Analysis of the QARMAN Re-entry CubeSat

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Miccoli ◽  
Alessandro Turchi ◽  
Pierre Schrooyen ◽  
Domenic D’Ambrosio ◽  
Thierry Magin
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
A Priori ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Advection Equation ◽  
High Enthalpy ◽  
Space Agency

AbstractThis work deals with the analysis of the cork P50, an ablative thermal protection material (TPM) used for the heat shield of the qarman Re-entry CubeSat. Developed for the European Space Agency (ESA) at the von Karman Institute (VKI) for Fluid Dynamics, qarman is a scientific demonstrator for Aerothermodynamic Research. The ability to model and predict the atypical behavior of the new cork-based materials is considered a critical research topic. Therefore, this work is motivated by the need to develop a numerical model able to respond to this demand, in preparation to the post-flight analysis of qarman. This study is focused on the main thermal response phenomena of the cork P50: pyrolysis and swelling. Pyrolysis was analyzed by means of the multi-physics Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code argo, developed at Cenaero. Based on a unified flow-material solver, the Volume Averaged Navier–Stokes (VANS) equations were numerically solved to describe the interaction between a multi-species high enthalpy flow and a reactive porous medium, by means of a high-order Discontinuous Galerkin Method (DGM). Specifically, an accurate method to compute the pyrolysis production rate was implemented. The modeling of swelling was the most ambitious task, requiring the development of a physical model accounting for this phenomenon, for the purpose of a future implementation within argo. A 1D model was proposed, mainly based on an a priori assumption on the swelling velocity and the resolution of a nonlinear advection equation, by means of a Finite Difference Method (FDM). Once developed, the model was successfully tested through a matlab code, showing that the approach is promising and thus opening the way to further developments.

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