Space Science and the

Engines of Change
Keith Mason
CEO
UK Science & Technology
Facilities Council

Astronomy as a change engine

Human kind is instinctively curious about the world and their
place in it
Astronomy, the oldest science, is accessible to all
Discoveries change peoples perceptions of their place in the
Universe and their relationship to each other
Generally a non-threatening science
Astronomy as entertainment!

Astronomy Inspires!
People who are inspired can achieve things otherwise beyond them!

Drives technological capability

Wider benefit to society

Drivers not dissimilar to exploration!

Way forward
Best way to look forward is to
extrapolate from the past
So how far have we come in the last 50
years?
What are the plans for the immediate
future?
Where might that lead?

Astronomy in 1957
Confined to visible wavelengths and radio
Largest telescope 200in (5m) at Mt Palomar
Photographic plates rule!
Radio astronomy in its infancy 250 ft fully-steerable Lovell
telescope just completed

Debate between big bang and steady state

cosmology
Origin of lunar craters volcanic or impact?
Speculation about life on Mars, oceans on Venus

Take care with experts

Space Travel is bunk
Sir Harold Spencer Jones, British Astronomer
Royal, 1957,
2 weeks before launch of Sputnik 1

Lesson: History has a way of overturning even the most

cherished paradigms!

1957-2007: some highlights

Travel to the Moon and initial exploration of major planets, comets,
asteroids
Understanding the Sun and its effect on the Earths environment
Detection of extra-solar planets
Discovery of super compact stars
importance of gravitational accretion as a source of energy

Discovery of quasars
prodigious energy understood as due to accretion onto supermassive black
hole at the centre of galaxies

Seeing the birth of black holes

Mapping evolutionary history of stars & galaxies
Cosmic microwave background Big Bang cosmology
Measuring the geometry of the Universe
Discovery of Dark Energy

WMAP (CMB)
Integral (-ray)
Spitzer (IR)
Swift (GRB)

1990

Chandra(X-ray)
Newton (X-ray)

1980

COBE (CMB)
HST

IRAS (IR)

1970

IUE (ultraviolet)
Einstein(X-ray)

Skylab (Solar)

Uhuru (X-ray)

Orbiting Solar
Observatory

1960
2000

Landing on Titan

Hubble constant (precise)

Gamma-ray bursts extragalactic

Dark Energy

Voyager Neptune flyby

Giotto flyby of Comet Halley

Voyager Uranus flyby

Voyager Saturn flyby

Viking landers on Mars

Hot gas in galaxy clusters
Voyager Jupiter flyby

Black Hole in Cyg X-1

Apollo 11
X-ray binary stars / first landing on Venus

Microwave background / first Mars flyby

Pulsars

Quasars / extra-solar X-ray sources

Lunar far-side photographed

Earths radiation belts

Astronomy 2007
Discoveries in past 50 years fuelled by
access to space,
development of electronics and detector systems,
computers.

Subject transformed compared to 1957

No let up in the pace of discovery
Even if rate of discovery lessens, still likely that
subject will take many twists and turns before
2057!
So what is to come?

Future plans
Consider ESAs space science programme
Organised in decadal plans
Horizon 2000, Horizon 2000+, Cosmic Visions 2015-2025

Illustrative - Other nations have similar plans, and

many missions likely to be realised by international
collaboration to make them affordable
So what are the prospects for the next few years?

ESA Science

The Herschel Mission

THE MISSION:
ESAs Herschel Space Observatory has the largest
mirror ever built for a space telescope. At 3.5-metres in
diameter the mirror will collect long-wavelength radiation
from some of the coldest and most distant objects in the
Universe. In addition, Herschel will be the only space
observatory to cover a spectral range from the far
infrared to sub-millimetre. Located at L2 (lagrangian
point).
OBJECTIVES:
- Study the formation of galaxies in the early universe
and their subsequent evolution
- Investigate the creation of stars and their interaction
with the interstellar medium
- Observe the chemical composition of the atmospheres
and surfaces of comets, planets and satellites
- Examine the molecular chemistry of the universe

2008

James Webb Space Telescope

(NASA, ESA, Canadian Space Agency)

Infrared optimised successor

to Hubble Space Telescope
Mirror diameter 6.5m. Will be
located at L2 (operating
temperature < 50K)
Themes:
The End of the Dark Ages:
First light and re-ionisation
Assembly of Galaxies
Birth of stars & protoplanetary
systems
Planetary Systems & the
origin of life

2013

The Planck Mission

THE MISSION:
Planck will help provide answers to one of the most
important set of questions asked in modern science how did the Universe begin, how did it evolve to the
state we observe today, and how will it continue to
evolve in the future? Planck's objective is to analyse,
with the highest accuracy ever achieved, the
remnants of the radiation that filled the Universe
immediately after the Big Bang, which we observe
today as the Cosmic Microwave Background.
OBJECTIVES:
- Mapping of Cosmic Microwave Background
anisotropies with improved sensitivity and angular
resolution
- Determination of Hubble constant
- Testing inflationary models of the early universe
- Measuring amplitude of structures in Cosmic
Microwave Background

2008

GAIA: Galactic Archaeology

Apparent shift of star position wrt

background viewed from opposite
sides of Earths orbit
Parallax
Measure of distance

GAIA precision 20arcsec

Measure distances at Galactic
centre to 20%
~1 billion stars!

Also measure velocity in 3D

Brightness, luminosity and
chemical composition
Create a 3-D structural map of the
Galaxy!

2011

Earth Orbit about Sun

GAIA Objectives

Trace formation history of Milky

Way through galaxy mergers
Find planets around stars out to
50 pc (10,000-50,000 planets)
Search for brown dwarf stars
Detect 10,000+ asteroids
(including NEOs), comets etc in
Solar System
Detect 105 supernovae in distant
galaxies
Discover 5 x 105 quasars
Test General Relativity

Gravitational Wave Astronomy

General relativity predicts
that gravitational waves
propagate at the speed
of light
Ripples from distant
binary stars should be
detectable as minute
distortions in the
separations of two
appropriately spaced test
masses
New field of astronomy!

The LISA Mission

THE MISSION:
LISA is an ESA-NASA mission involving three spacecraft
flying approximately 5 million kilometres apart in an
equilateral triangle formation. Together, they act as a
Michelson interferometer to measure the distortion of
space caused by passing gravitational waves. Lasers in
each spacecraft will be used to measure minute changes
in the separation distances of free-floating masses within
each spacecraft.
OBJECTIVES:
To be the first spacecraft to detect gravitational waves
Measure the properties of binary star systems in the
Galaxy and beyond
Test General Relativity under extreme conditions
Search for gravitational signature of the Big Bang

2017

LISA Concept
LISA will consist of three
spacecraft arranged in a
triangle with sides 5m km
Separation will be measured by
interferometry of laser beams
shining between the three
spacecraft
Change in separation due to
gravitational waves tiny
typically 10-10 m from a Galactic
binary
Reference point (test mass)
must be shielded from external
buffeting by, for example, the
solar wind

The LISA Pathfinder Mission

THE MISSION:
LISA Pathfinder will pave the way for the LISA mission by
testing in flight the very concept of the gravitational wave
detection: it will put two test masses in a near-perfect
gravitational free-fall and control and measure their
motion with unprecedented accuracy. This is achieved
through state-of-the-art technology comprising the inertial
sensors, the laser metrology system, the drag-free
control system and an ultra-precise micro-propulsion
system.
OBJECTIVES:
LISA Pathfinder is to demonstrate the key technologies
to be used in the future LISA mission.

2009

Solar Storms
Images from the X-ray
Telescope on the
Japan/UK/US Hinode
satellite (launch Nov 2006)
show turbulent solar
atmosphere
Coronal mass ejections can
result in dangerous radiation
levels for humans and
instrumentation
Particularly if outside the
protection of the Earths
magnetic field (e.g. Moon)

Solar Orbiter Sentinels

Need to understand and
predict these outbursts, and
how they propagate out from
the Sun
Require data from much
closer to the Sun
Combination of ESA Solar
Orbiter and NASA Sentinels
to probe to 0.2 AU (i.e. inside
the orbit of Mercury)
Very hostile environment!

2015

The BepiColombo Mission

THE MISSION:
BepiColombo will set off in 2013 on a journey lasting
approximately 6 years. When it arrives at Mercury in
August 2019, it will endure temperatures as high as 350
C and gather data during its 1 year nominal mission
from September 2019 until September 2020, with a
possible 1-year extension to September 2021.
OBJECTIVES:
- Origin and evolution of a planet close to the parent star
- Mercury as a planet: form, interior, structure, geology,
composition and craters
- Mercury's vestigial atmosphere (exosphere):
composition and dynamics
- Mercury's magnetized envelope (magnetosphere):
structure and dynamics
- Origin of Mercury's magnetic field
- Test of Einstein's theory of general relativity

2013

The EXOMARS Mission

First mission in Aurora
programme
Launch in 2013
To explore Mars in three
dimensions to understand
habitability, life potential and
hazards to future exploration
High mobility
Drill for sub-surface sampling to
2m depth
Suite of Exobiology instruments

2013

Rosetta Mars Encounter

Distant Travellers
Rosetta
Rosetta (ESA)
Launch 2004
Encounter with Comet 67
P/Churyumov- Gerasimenko
2014

New Horizons (NASA)

Launch 2006
Encounter with
Pluto/Charon 2015

Io/Europa
New Horizons

New Horizons

So what about the future?

50 years is a long time in the current rapidly
developing field of space science/astronomy
Progress and direction will certainly be hijacked
by unknown unknowns!
As it should be since thats what makes it exciting!!

However many existing/planned missions and

facilities have a longevity measured in decades
So interesting to look at peoples current
aspirations as a guide to what might be done in
the next decades

Aspirations for the Future

(some ideas for ESA Cosmic Visions)

Early Universe & Evolution

2nd generation gravitational wave

observatory focussed on residual
radiation from the big bang
Universe at <1s
High precision measurements of
cosmic microwave background
polarisation to test big bang models,
inflation
Large area, high spectral resolution
X-ray observatory for studying
earliest black holes and role in
galaxy formation

Dark Energy

High sensitivity surveys for distant

supernovae, gravitational lensing
distinguish Dark Energy models

Planetary and Stellar Evolution

Infrared Interferometer: highresolution spectroscopy at

0.01arcsec spatial resolution,
capable of resolving nearby
protoplanetary disks.
Survey of 100,000 stars for Earthlike and smaller planets, plus stellar
evolution studies.
Environments of Earth-like planets
Molecular hydrogen explorer

High-Energy Universe

First large-area focussing -ray

telescope: Gamma-ray bursts,
supernovae, AGN, accretion disks,
Galactic centre

Aspirations for the Future (cont)

Fundamental Physics

Accurate measurement of G and

limits on change, equivalence
principle, link General Relativity and
Quantum Mechanics, search for
evidence of superstrings

Magnetic Reconnection & Solar

Activity

Measure processes in Earths

magnetosphere with fleet of 12
spacecraft at proton to electron
interaction scales.
Sample Solar wind environment
very close to Sun

Planetary Exploration

Lunar exploration & characterise

interior and cosmochemistry,
sample return.
Mars networks and sample return
Venus Entry Probe: long-term
balloon-bourne investigation plus
surface samples
Europa Exploration: characterise ice
thickness and surface/interior
characteristics leading to search for
life in liquid subsurface oceans
Asteroid sample return: 50-100g
from surface/subsurface regolith of
primitive body.

Example: Extra-Solar Planets

Over 200 planets known around

other stars
Most discovered by dynamical
studies
Wobble in parent caused by
unseen companion
Favours massive planets close to
star (hot Jupiters)

Can also be detected when they

transit in front of parent star
Need high sensitivity to detect tiny
reduction in stellar light
French-led CoRoT mission
launched in 2006
NASA Kepler 2008
Capable of detecting earth-like
rocky planets in habitable zone

Search for Life-bearing

planets
Ultimate aim is to determine
whether Earth-like planets
harbour conditions for life
Aim of Darwin/Terrestrial
Planet Finder missions
Array of spacecraft working
together as one
Use Nulling interferometer
or coronograph to block out
light from parent star
Determine composition of
planets atmosphere

Possible Headlines from 2007-2057

Scientists find birthplace of the first stars

Water found in Young Planetary System
Antimatter explorer prepares for launch
Astronomers find missing matter!
Astronomers find every galaxy in the Universe
Astronomers seek the first black holes
Scientists see the beginning of time
Einstein was wrong!
The road to unification finally revealed!
Spacecraft flies into the eye of a Solar hurricane
We are not alone!
When life began!
Doomed worlds
Scientists find biological activity on another Earth!
Earths evil twin shows us a glimpse of our future
Life, but not as we know it!

What do we need for a healthy future?

Smarter
Smaller, Faster, Cheaper used to be the
watchwords
With change, still makes sense, so long
as we also use Faster in the sense of
higher velocity

Need to maintain momentum

Tendency for greater challenges to drive more complex
missions
Greater cost, more extended timescales, less risk

Harder to inspire when time between and idea and

fruition measured in decades!
Mitigation: reduce cost of access to space
Encourage turnover, accept higher risk, encourage innovative
solutions

Positive developments:
Investment in infrastructure, for exploration
Commercial launch companies driven by private investors
Innovation & Low-cost platforms (e.g. SSTL)

Faster travel
Current travel time to outer
planets, and even Mercury,
limits progress
Voyager 1 currently at 100
AU after 30+ years
~0.5 lt days

Need more efficient

propulsion to effectively
explore outer planets,
Kuiper belt and even
interstellar space
E.g. ion drive as used
recently on SMART-1

More data
Increasingly accustomed to a high data-rate
environment in science
We have smart, capable instruments that can tackle
complex problems
But, ability to get data back from instruments in
remote locations an increasing limitation
E.g. Solar Orbiter, where telemetry rate does not permit
continuous use of high speed measurements

Need high bandwidth communications infrastructure

for entire solar system
E.g. laser comms

Astronomy Access/Protection
Large infrastructure

Favoured sites
L2: deep space, cryogenic
L1: solar
Lunar far side: future large
infrastructure

Need to protect environment from

the outset
Particularly crucial in radio regime
Mobile phone in the Moon would be
one of the brightest astronomical
sources seen from Earth!

More robust & available

transportation infrastructure
Maintenance & repair at L1, L2
from Lunar space ?
Need efficient transport

Solar

Deep Space

End