Space Domain Awareness – What can Astronomers and MIST Physicists Contribute?
Space Domain Awareness
Astronomers, as well as space and atmospheric physicists, are well positioned to help understand the near-earth space environment. Sometimes termed “Space Domain Awareness”, the topic includes amongst others the fields of space weather and space debris. Expertise developed for other applications in Astronomy and Solar System Science may well find important application in this field, including for example astrodynamics, minor bodies, instrumentation, data reduction and surveys. Might image processing techniques developed for galaxy surveys be used for debris detection or space instruments and missions developed for other purposes be able to measure the micro particle environment (e.g. LISA PF and HST)? Furthermore, are there astronomical facilities, at optical/IR or radio wavelengths planned for the future, ground- or space-based, which could be used in addition to their prime astronomical function, in order to measure and monitor near-Earth space?
In addition, opportunities exist for collaboration with industrial partners as well as collaborators in other research councils. The importance of this field has been confirmed by the establishment of the STFC-supported “Global Network on Sustainability in Space” or GNOSIS.
This session aims to attract astronomers to bring their particular skills to this area as well as those already active in the space domain and space weather fields.
Schedule:
16:00 Ian McCrea “Space Weather Effects on Satellites”(Invited)
16:20 Stuart Eves “Space Domain Awareness – What are the gaps in our knowledge?”
16:50 James Blake “Surveying the geosynchronous region with the Isaac Newton Telescope and a robotic astrograph”
17:20 James Blake “Getting involved with the Global Network On Sustainability In Space (GNOSIS)” (Invited)
John Zarnecki, James Blake
Tuesday late afternoon
All attendees are expected to show respect and courtesy to other attendees and staff, and to adhere to the NAM Code of Conduct.