This document summarizes key points from NASA reports on astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science programs and missions for the coming decade:
1) The top large space-based programs recommended were WFIRST, augmentation to the Explorer program, LISA (cancelled), and ISO (cancelled).
2) The top medium space-based programs recommended were New Worlds technology development and inflation probe technology development.
3) For planetary science, recommended flagship missions included a descoped Mars Astrobiology Explorer Cacher, descoped Jupiter Europa Orbiter, and Uranus Orbiter/Probe. Discovery and New Frontiers class missions were also recommended along with technology development.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is experiencing steadily growing interest over the recent years. For good reason, since these innovative algorithms and methods, such as machine learning and deep neural networks, in which knowledge is acquired and applied based on data, enable the automation of a wide range of processes and quickly deliver precise results. AI is also getting more and more popular in the space sector. The Institute of Space Technology & Space Applications (ISTA) at the Universität der Bundeswehr in Munich is conducting research around AI for space operations, science, and technology. An overview of activities and current developments towards fault management, autonomous collision avoidance, autonomous landing, as well as radio science at ISTA will be presented.
Importance of SSPS in SDG and ESG, and importance of antennas in SSPSAdvanced-Concepts-Team
A space solar power satellite system or SSPS can generates electricity without CO2 gas nor harmful debris with competitive cost. So, it should be attached importance in SDG and ESG programs. The SSPS is a huge system working in space so that several key technologies have to be innovated or verified in space before the final manufacture. I will introduce those key technologies in terms of difficulty in applying to SSPS. In a research and development plan, key technologies with more difficulty should be ranked higher. Antennas are typically difficult ones. It is explained how the antenna is challenging compared with the existing antennas on the ground and in space. Finally, I will show you a R&D plan to put SSPS into practical use in about 30 years.
Long duration, lighter than air, stratospheric airships might offer a unique and compelling platform for a wide range of Earth science and astrophysics. There is also great commercial opportunity in stratospheric, stationary platforms that can remain aloft for months or even years at a time. A 2013 Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) series of workshops (http://kiss.caltech.edu/programs.html#airships) brought together a number of scientists and aerospace industry professionals to discuss this potential. The report from that study (http://kiss.caltech.edu/papers/airships/papers/airships.pdf) identified the need for a graduated approach to developing the necessary technology and recommended a funded challenge as one way to meet this need. The NASA Centennial Challenge office funded development of the Airships-20-20-20 Challenge, but NASA ultimately decided not to pursue the Challenge. I will describe the science enabled by airships and the proposed Challenge.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is experiencing steadily growing interest over the recent years. For good reason, since these innovative algorithms and methods, such as machine learning and deep neural networks, in which knowledge is acquired and applied based on data, enable the automation of a wide range of processes and quickly deliver precise results. AI is also getting more and more popular in the space sector. The Institute of Space Technology & Space Applications (ISTA) at the Universität der Bundeswehr in Munich is conducting research around AI for space operations, science, and technology. An overview of activities and current developments towards fault management, autonomous collision avoidance, autonomous landing, as well as radio science at ISTA will be presented.
Importance of SSPS in SDG and ESG, and importance of antennas in SSPSAdvanced-Concepts-Team
A space solar power satellite system or SSPS can generates electricity without CO2 gas nor harmful debris with competitive cost. So, it should be attached importance in SDG and ESG programs. The SSPS is a huge system working in space so that several key technologies have to be innovated or verified in space before the final manufacture. I will introduce those key technologies in terms of difficulty in applying to SSPS. In a research and development plan, key technologies with more difficulty should be ranked higher. Antennas are typically difficult ones. It is explained how the antenna is challenging compared with the existing antennas on the ground and in space. Finally, I will show you a R&D plan to put SSPS into practical use in about 30 years.
Long duration, lighter than air, stratospheric airships might offer a unique and compelling platform for a wide range of Earth science and astrophysics. There is also great commercial opportunity in stratospheric, stationary platforms that can remain aloft for months or even years at a time. A 2013 Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) series of workshops (http://kiss.caltech.edu/programs.html#airships) brought together a number of scientists and aerospace industry professionals to discuss this potential. The report from that study (http://kiss.caltech.edu/papers/airships/papers/airships.pdf) identified the need for a graduated approach to developing the necessary technology and recommended a funded challenge as one way to meet this need. The NASA Centennial Challenge office funded development of the Airships-20-20-20 Challenge, but NASA ultimately decided not to pursue the Challenge. I will describe the science enabled by airships and the proposed Challenge.
The Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE): the science of characterising...Advanced-Concepts-Team
Studying the atmospheres of a statistically significant number of rocky, terrestrial exoplanets - including the search for habitable and potentially inhabited planets - is one of the major goals of exoplanetary science and possibly the most challenging question in 21st century astrophysics. However, despite being at the top of the agenda of all major space agencies and ground-based observatories, none of the currently planned projects or missions worldwide has the technical capabilities to achieve this goal. In this talk we present new results from the LIFE Mission initiative, which addresses this issue by investigating the scientific potential of a mid infrared nulling interferometer observatory. Here we will focus on the mission's yield estimates, our simulator software as well as various exemplary science cases such as observing Earth- and Venus-twins or searching for phosphine in exoplanetary atmospheres.
MSc Proposal Presentation: A comparison of TLS and PhotogrammetryPeter McCready
MSc Geospatial and Mapping Sciences final project:
MSc project proposal presentation slides.
Produced in fulfilment of MSc Geospatial & Mapping Sciences at the University of Glasgow (2015).
The Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) II: Key Methods and TechnologiesAdvanced-Concepts-Team
The LIFE initiative has the goal to develop the science, the technology and a roadmap for an aspiring space mission that will allow humankind to detect and characterize, via nulling interferometry, the atmospheres of hundreds of nearby extrasolar planets including dozens that may be similar to Earth. This follow-up talk will tackle more of the techniques and technologies that will enable such an ambitious undertaking. I will outline the underlying measuring principle, and provide some overview over essential technologies, their current status and necessary developments.
For the full video of this presentation, please visit:
http://www.embedded-vision.com/platinum-members/embedded-vision-alliance/embedded-vision-training/videos/pages/may-2016-embedded-vision-summit-nasa-keynote
For more information about embedded vision, please visit:
http://www.embedded-vision.com
Larry Matthies, senior research scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, presents the "Using Vision to Enable Autonomous Land, Sea and Air Vehicles" keynote at the May 2016 Embedded Vision Summit.
Say you’re an autonomous rover and you’ve just landed on Mars. Vexing questions now confront you: “Where am I and how am I moving?” “What obstacles are around me?” “Are the obstacles moving?” “What other objects are around me that matter to my mission?” As it turns out, Earth isn’t that different from Mars in this regard. If you’re an autonomous car or drone, you face similar challenges. You’ve got to find combinations of sensors that work across different illumination, weather, temperature, and vehicle dynamics; processors that fit the size, weight, and power constraints of the system; and algorithms that can answer the questions given the sensors and processors available. In this talk, Matthies gives an overview of autonomous vehicle computer vision applications, explores successful approaches, and illustrates concepts with application examples from applications on Earth and in planetary exploration.
The Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE): the science of characterising...Advanced-Concepts-Team
Studying the atmospheres of a statistically significant number of rocky, terrestrial exoplanets - including the search for habitable and potentially inhabited planets - is one of the major goals of exoplanetary science and possibly the most challenging question in 21st century astrophysics. However, despite being at the top of the agenda of all major space agencies and ground-based observatories, none of the currently planned projects or missions worldwide has the technical capabilities to achieve this goal. In this talk we present new results from the LIFE Mission initiative, which addresses this issue by investigating the scientific potential of a mid infrared nulling interferometer observatory. Here we will focus on the mission's yield estimates, our simulator software as well as various exemplary science cases such as observing Earth- and Venus-twins or searching for phosphine in exoplanetary atmospheres.
MSc Proposal Presentation: A comparison of TLS and PhotogrammetryPeter McCready
MSc Geospatial and Mapping Sciences final project:
MSc project proposal presentation slides.
Produced in fulfilment of MSc Geospatial & Mapping Sciences at the University of Glasgow (2015).
The Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) II: Key Methods and TechnologiesAdvanced-Concepts-Team
The LIFE initiative has the goal to develop the science, the technology and a roadmap for an aspiring space mission that will allow humankind to detect and characterize, via nulling interferometry, the atmospheres of hundreds of nearby extrasolar planets including dozens that may be similar to Earth. This follow-up talk will tackle more of the techniques and technologies that will enable such an ambitious undertaking. I will outline the underlying measuring principle, and provide some overview over essential technologies, their current status and necessary developments.
For the full video of this presentation, please visit:
http://www.embedded-vision.com/platinum-members/embedded-vision-alliance/embedded-vision-training/videos/pages/may-2016-embedded-vision-summit-nasa-keynote
For more information about embedded vision, please visit:
http://www.embedded-vision.com
Larry Matthies, senior research scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, presents the "Using Vision to Enable Autonomous Land, Sea and Air Vehicles" keynote at the May 2016 Embedded Vision Summit.
Say you’re an autonomous rover and you’ve just landed on Mars. Vexing questions now confront you: “Where am I and how am I moving?” “What obstacles are around me?” “Are the obstacles moving?” “What other objects are around me that matter to my mission?” As it turns out, Earth isn’t that different from Mars in this regard. If you’re an autonomous car or drone, you face similar challenges. You’ve got to find combinations of sensors that work across different illumination, weather, temperature, and vehicle dynamics; processors that fit the size, weight, and power constraints of the system; and algorithms that can answer the questions given the sensors and processors available. In this talk, Matthies gives an overview of autonomous vehicle computer vision applications, explores successful approaches, and illustrates concepts with application examples from applications on Earth and in planetary exploration.
The Square Kilometre Array is currently undergoing the Preliminary Design Reviews for its composing elements, and is thus at a critical point on its way to becoming ready for construction starting in 2018. In this talk we will provide an overview of the SKA, its composing elements, and their status, with emphasis on the Telescope Manager and the Science Data Processor, respectively the Monitoring & Control system, and Pipeline. We will see how do they compare with their ALMA equivalents, and how is the SKA similar/different from ALMA.
American Astronautical Society, Astronauts and Robots: Partners in Space Exploration, May 12-13, 2015 - http://astronautical.org/event/astronauts-robots
James Webb Space Telescope- in search of our originKshitij Bane
A presentation about The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) which will be launched in 2019. The presentation covers basic information about the telescope, its primary mirror, its orbit & the Sunshield. It also explains why the telescope will work in infrared region of electromagnetic spectrum and how it truly is an Engineering marvel.
A coupled Electromagnetic-Mechanical analysis of next generation Radio Telesc...Altair
This work considers the design of large and complex receivers used in the field of radio astronomy, e.g. for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project. The purpose of this work is to consider a coupled simulation where the electromagnetic analysis, performed with the computational electromagnetic software package FEKO, is enhanced by the structural analysis offered by HyperWorks products such as HyperMesh and Optistruct. External influences such as gravity, wind-loading and thermal properties will be taken into account. This will enhance the electromagnetic simulation results, thereby aiding designers to mitigate these environmental effects.
Speakers
Dr. Danie Ludick, Postdoctoral researcher, Stellenbosch University
During the last 30 years of science exploration in space, the complexity of experiments and related equipment has continuously increased, leading more and more frequently to the impossibility to fulfill the quadruple constraints: science, technologies, safety and cost. Since a few year, a fresh approach appears in the new space mood where key words are simpler and faster.
1. SMD Perspectives @ ARCtek
Michael D. Bicay
Director for Science
NASA Ames Research Center
2012.01.18
2. NRC Decade Survey (2010): Astronomy & Astrophysics
• Large Space-Based Programs (priority order)
1. WFIRST: Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope
2. (Astrophysics) Augmentation to Explorer Program
3. LISA: Laser Interferometer Space Antenna
4. ISO: International X-Ray Observatory
[Note: #3 and #4 have been cancelled; funding for #1 has not been
identified.]
• Medium Space-Based Programs (priority order)
1. New Worlds Technology Development
2. Inflation Probe Technology Development
3. NRC Decade Survey (2011): Planetary Sciences
Flagship Missions
Recommended “Cost Constrained” “Less Favorable”
• Descoped Mars Astrobiology • Descoped MAX-C • Descope/Delay Flagships
Explorer Cacher (MAX-C) • UOP
• Descoped Jupiter Europa Orbiter
(JEO) We are here!
• Uranus Orbiter/Probe (UOP)
• Enceladus Orbiter
• Venus Climate Mission
• Discovery-Class Mission every 24 months (<$500M, excl. LV)
• New Frontiers-Class Mission, two total in 2013-2022 (<$1B, excl. LV)
• Augmentation to R&A Program (+5% in FY12, +1.5% subsequently)
• Technology Development (~7% of total Planetary budget)
6. SMD Opportunities ARC Capabilities
• Roles in Strategic Missions • Drilling Technologies, Sample Handling Tech.
• Mars Sample Return (early 2020s) • XRD/XRF analysis
• Cache Box, Drilling • Exobiology / Planetary Protection
• Exoplanet Imaging (late 2020s) • EDL/TPS
• Imaging (Internal) Coronagraph • PIAA Technology Testbed
• Fully Competed Missions • Kepler Science Operations Management
• Earth Venture Missions • In Situ & Remote Sensing Instruments
• Airborne, Instruments, Orbital • ESPO Project Management (airborne)
• Comet Coma Sample Return (New Frontiers) • SmallSat Management
• Mars IceBreaker (Discovery) • Small Bodies Science (comets, NEOs)
• DARE (Explorer) • Sample Return Science
Technologies Needed Other Needs to Succeed
• Drilling Technologies to 2+m depth • Stable funding for space/Earth sciences
• Robust sample handling/archiving • Robust Core Competencies
• Second-generation CheMin instrument • Re-invigoration of drilling/analog work
• Robust EDL/TPS Program (w/ LaRC) • Continued PIAA Coronagraph development
• Demonstrated PIAA Coronagraph • New EarthSci hires (in process)
• High contrast, Small IWA • Development of strategic partnership w/ APL
• Compact architecture • Fair TMCO assessment of competed proposals
• Compact EarthSci Instruments
• Comet coma probe & sample acquisition system
• Low-cost launch to cislunar space
7. ACE: Ames Coronagraph Experiment
“2nd-generation” PIAA mirrors
• Setting new contrast benchmarks
• 1.9e-8 from 2.0 to 3.4 λ/D
• 1.4e-6 from 1.2 to 2.0 λ/D
• Active thermal control system achieved
may detect exo-earths with differencing methods 0.4mK stability rms over ~1 hour.
can see exo-earths on raw image