Towards the Inaugural Australian Decadal Plan for Space Science: 2008-2017

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 Zillman)

ASSC 26/9/07

I. What is Space Science? II. Draft VisionIII. Process & TimelineIV. Science Themes & GoalsV. Structure / Coordinating BodyVI. ProjectsVII. Summary.

[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• astrobiology • space technology

Astronomy extra-solar system,

Earth Sciences surface and below.

II. Process (see www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~ncss)

• 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 (late 2007 / early 2008 release).

Decadal Plan Steering Committee

Science Working Groups

Industry /ScienceWorking Groups

Government Working Group

DemographicsWorking Group

Public Outreach Working Group

Remotesensing

Sun to Ground

Planetary Sciences

Theory, Mod., & data Ground

Space Weather

Space Tech

Participants

Auspace Australian Antarctic DivisionANU British Aerospace Australia

Bureau of Meteorology Bureau of Rural Science

Cisco Systems COSSA

CRCSI CSIRO

DSTO Geoscience Australia

Gravitec IPS Radio and Space Services

La Trobe University Macquarie University

Mars Society of Australia University of Adelaide University of Newcastle University of NSW

University of Queensland University of Sydney

University of South Australia University of Southern Queensland

University of Technology, Sydney University of Western Australia

Vipac 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 - Nov 2007 - Writing & Refining Draft Plan • Nov 2007 - Draft Plan Released for Comment

• January/Feb 2008 - Townhall Meeting for final revisions & Adoption

• Feb.-April 2008 - Release of Plan (dependent on election)

• Sept 2008 - Implementation Workshop

III. Vision for the Decadal Plan“World-leading space science & technology, strong domestic capability, and

international collaborations that build Australia a long term, productive presence in Space.”

• A cohesive, self-managed community of world-class space scientists nurtured and valued by Government and society.

• SS community coordinates with other stakeholders and manages Government investment to produce more world-class scientific discoveries and technology.

• Australian space scientists lead acclaimed national space projects with international partners to solve major scientific and technological problems.

• Australians participate in international space projects as national reps.

• Australia develops a strong national capability in SS&T, including ground and space assets/data and theoretical models, that

– benefits the nation in international, economic, scientific, and environmental affairs, – offsets the risks of depending primarily on foreign-controlled space assets. – benefits fundamental sciences and related fields (Astron., Atmospheric, and Earth Sciences), – increases supply of highly trained workers and math/science-literate citizens, and – helps society understand global issues like climate change, environmental monitoring, and

humanity’s place in the universe.

• Australia’s SS community leverages its increased funding and capabilities to increase the economic benefits of space and mitigate disruptions.

• Australia’s Government, community and business will recognize and invest in the strong national and international benefits of SS&T.

IV. Global Science Themes (draft)

(i) Sun and Space to Earth (SSE) Understanding quantitatively how and when activity on the Sun and in space develops and

affects humans and human technology, at all locations from the Sun to Earth’s surface.

(ii) Plasma to Planets (P2P)Developing a quantitative understanding of how the Earth, Moon, Sun, and other solar system bodies formed and evolved from plasma & dust.

(iii) Remote Sensing Australia, Earth and Other Bodies from Space (RS): Developing a quantitative knowledge of the atmosphere, oceans and surface of the Earth, and of other solar system bodies (from planets to meteorites) based on space and ground observations and modeling.

(iv) Life and Technology in Space (LIFTS)Developing instruments and technology for space, understanding the effects of space on human technologies (from space to the ground), and quantifying how life developed on Earth and can exist elsewhere in space.

[For several decades]

V. Detailed Science Goals (Draft)1. Observe and model the drivers of space weather from the Sun to the ionosphere and surface of Earth, so as to

predict their arrival and consequences at Earth and in space (Theme SSE).2. Understand the generation, propagation, and consequences of waves in space, including radar and radio signals in

Earth’s atmosphere and ionosphere (SSE, P2P).3. Understand reconnection of magnetic field lines, and associated heating and particle acceleration, with applications

to solar activity and space weather at Earth (SSE).4. Observe and model the dynamics of Earth’s ionosphere and atmosphere from the equator to the auroral regions

and geomagnetic poles, including responses to space weather events (SSE, P2P, RS). 5. Observe and model spatiotemporal variations in energy flow from the magnetosphere to the lower atmosphere,

including the driving and propagation of ionospheric waves and changes in chemistry and other properties of the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere (SSE, P2P, RS).

6. Observe and model lightning, sprites and other electrodynamic interactions between the atmosphere and ionosphere, so as to understand tropical storms in the Indonesia-Australia region and the global electrodynamic circuit (SSE, RS).

7. Measure greenhouse gases and other atmospheric constituents so as to assess climate change and its consequences and provide independent verification (RS, P2P, LIFTS).

8. Understand and measure the lower atmosphere’s interactions with the upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and space, so as to provide computational modules for global and local atmospheric models that improve forecasting of global warming and ordinary weather (RS, SSE).

9. Develop and demonstrate remote sensing instruments that are either tuned to Australian conditions or have unique diagnostic capabilities, and provide associated data and technology to Australian and other users (RS, LIFTS).

10. Develop, demonstrate, and sell Australian technologies for space, air, and ground use, including propulsion systems, advanced timing electronics, communication systems, and autonomous, multi-frequency, digital radars (LIFTS).

11. Measure and model the self-assembly of plasmas into dusty plasmas and solid bodies, possibly including experiments on the ground and International Space Station (P2P).

12. Integrate measured chemical compositions of terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials with physical models to understand the timescales and mechanisms for planet formation and the processes that create and allow persistence of distinct chemical and physical domains within planets (P2P, LIFTS).

13. Measure and model the evolution of the Earth and solar system, based on observations of planetary atmospheres and surfaces, chemical composition measurements of terrestrial and extraterrestrial matter , and space weather effects (P2P, RS, SSE).

14. Use unique Australian opportunities to delineate the origin and evolution of life, and life’s interaction with its environment, in order to better understand and manage our environment and to contribute to the search for life elsewhere (LIFTS, RS).

15. Analyze, model, and integrate Australian data from the Australian continent, Antarctica, ocean vents, and elsewhere so as to constrain the timing, history, and persistence of life on Earth, in the solar system, and universe (LIFTS).

V. Detailed Science Goals (Draft I)1. Observe and model the drivers of space weather from the Sun to the ionosphere and

surface of Earth, so as to predict their arrival and consequences at Earth and in space (Theme SSE).

2. Understand the generation, propagation, and consequences of waves in space, including radar and radio signals in Earth’s atmosphere and ionosphere (SSE, P2P).

3. Understand reconnection of magnetic field lines, and associated heating and particle acceleration, with applications to solar activity and space weather at Earth (SSE).

4. Observe and model the dynamics of Earth’s ionosphere and atmosphere from the equator to the auroral regions and geomagnetic poles, including responses to space weather events (SSE, P2P, RS).

5. Observe and model spatiotemporal variations in energy flow from the magnetosphere to the lower atmosphere, including the driving and propagation of ionospheric waves and changes in chemistry and other properties of the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere (SSE, P2P, RS).

6. Observe and model lightning, sprites and other electrodynamic interactions between the atmosphere and ionosphere, so as to understand tropical storms in the Indonesia-Australia region and the global electrodynamic circuit (SSE, RS).

7. Measure greenhouse gases and other atmospheric constituents so as to assess climate change and its consequences and provide independent verification (RS, P2P, LIFTS).

8. Understand and measure the lower atmosphere’s interactions with the upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and space, so as to provide computational modules for global and local atmospheric models that improve forecasting of global warming and ordinary weather (RS, SSE).

V. Detailed Science Goals (Draft II)9. Develop and demonstrate remote sensing instruments that are either tuned to Australian

conditions or have unique diagnostic capabilities, and provide associated data and technology to Australian and other users (RS, LIFTS).

10. Develop, demonstrate, and sell Australian technologies for space, air, and ground use, including propulsion systems, advanced timing electronics, communication systems, and autonomous, multi-frequency, digital radars (LIFTS).

11. Measure and model the self-assembly of plasmas into dusty plasmas and solid bodies, possibly including experiments on the ground and International Space Station (P2P).

12. Integrate measured chemical compositions of terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials with physical models to understand the timescales and mechanisms for planet formation and the processes that create and allow persistence of distinct chemical and physical domains within planets (P2P, LIFTS).

13. Measure and model the evolution of the Earth and solar system, based on observations of planetary atmospheres and surfaces, chemical composition measurements of terrestrial and extraterrestrial matter , and space weather effects (P2P, RS, SSE).

14. Use unique Australian opportunities to delineate the origin and evolution of life, and life’s interaction with its environment, in order to better understand and manage our environment and to contribute to the search for life elsewhere (LIFTS, RS).

15. Analyze, model, and integrate Australian data from the Australian continent, Antarctica, ocean vents, and elsewhere so as to constrain the timing, history, and persistence of life on Earth, in the solar system, and universe (LIFTS).

VI. Coordinating Body: Australian National Space Science Coordination Group (ANSSCG)

• Vision, Themes, and Science Goals need– active coordination & funding

– link Aust and space community to international space efforts.

• Australia: strategic benefits from national space effort.

ANSSCG:

(1) Unifying national focus & (2) Government channel for new funding of national SS effort. (3) Not NCSS since will manage and coordinate research programs, assets & funds of multiple entities (Unis, Govt ..). (4) Role distinct from NCSS (Academy of Science body).

ANSSCG Links, Roles & Benefits

Australian National Space Science Coordination Group (ANSSCG)

• Governing Council composed of stakeholders:– Space science community, – Government units w. space int.– Industry, – Academies (AAS & ATSE).

• Community body initially (or non-profit corporation).• COSSA Secretariat support?

• Could evolve into Govt entity(1) Coordination and management group for strategic elements of Australia’s national effort in civilian SS&T.

(2) Initial point of contact for civil space.

VII. Projects

• Community Building.

• Education & Training.

• Science & Technology– 4 Large Projects (Octant, Lightning, NISS, and

Sundiver)– Medium projects (DigiRadar, Thrusters, Scramjets,

Planetary Data & Imaging, Cosmochemistry)

– International Collaboration & Future Projects (GES, Hayabusa, Orbitals?)

– Small Projects (ARC)

Rationales / Strategy

• Community Building - Organise ourselves, put runs on board, establish track record quickly, provide structures for growth.

• Education & Training – Benefit Govt, industry, society & us

• Science & Technology– 4 Large Projects – few, major science goals, large % of SS

comm., > $10M, Aust. leadership on research of international scale.

– Medium projects – smaller- but international-scale science goals & % of SS comm., < $5M, leadership by Aust. scientists .

– International Collaboration & Future Projects – first means for Aust. scientists to take part officially in internat. projects – need < 6-12 month response for ≥ $1M/yr for ≥ 5 yrs

– Small Projects - ARC

New funds

New funds

LinkageLIEF

New funds includes NCRIS

Community Building• Vital to develop space science community into

– a cohesive, sustainable, group that – takes responsibility for itself and – plans how to develop and optimize for max. sci. and nat. benefits

1. Annual space science conference or forum – professional level, attract all SS, engineers, Govt, industry, educators & enthusiasts

2. ANSSCG to link organizations interested in Space – NCSS, NC Space Eng. Of Eng. Aust., Aust. Govt Space Forum, ASICC… in regular 1-day meetings approx twice per year.

3. Speakers Bureau – 10-20 media-trained people across SS&T. Possible extension to on-line Forum and Wiki pages.

4. Science Meets Parliament Day – make it a focus.

5. International Space Week, enthusiast space groups, & Industry – make 4-10 October a big yearly event for education and outreach.

Funds – could be very small (< $10K, even zero at start)

Education & Training• SS excellent for this: inspirational, interdisciplinary,

fundamental & mathematical sciences. • The aims of the projects are to:

– Reduce shortages of trained S&T personnel – Increase attractiveness and efficacy of sc. & math. education– Improve scientific literacy of the public, industry, and Govt.

1. Space Science Student Scheme – a) improve linkages, b) increase students & collaborators at partner institutions, c) better career pathways

• Annual comp organized by ANSSCG• 20 Hons, 20 Vacation, & 20 Postgrad Topup Scholarships per year.• Research joint between a University and a Govt or industry partner• Require substantial (> 10%) presence at partner institution. • Funds pooled from partner institutions and Universities (naming/sponsor rights).

2. Telepresence Learning for School, Undergrad & PG Students 3. Collaborative Postgraduate Degrees by Coursework and Research

Funds – could be very small (< $10K, even zero at start)

Education & Training (cont.)1. Space Science Student Scheme – a) improve linkages, b) increase

students & collaborators at partner institutions, c) better career paths - Annual comp organized by ANSSCG

• 20 Hons, 20 Vacation, & 20 Postgrad Topup Scholarships per year.

• Research joint between a University and a Govt or industry partner

• Require substantial (> 10%) presence at partner institution.

• Funds pooled from partner institutions and Unis (naming/sponsor rights).

2. Telepresence Learning for School, Undergrad & PG Students

• Preserve and develop Macquarie ACA expertise• Spread widely: School, UG, and PG from space science to maths• Field trips and interviews with experts are natural applications.

3. Collaborative PG Degrees by Coursework and Research• Develop multiple discipline & Uni coursework MSc (telepresence?)

Funds – S4 ~ $240K but others could start small & use DEST funds

VII. Projects

• Community Building.

• Education & Training.

• Science & Technology– 4 Large Projects (Octant, Lightning, NISS, and

Sundiver)– Medium projects (DigiRadar, Thrusters, Scramjets,

Planetary Data & Imaging, Cosmochemistry)

– International Collaboration & Future Projects (GES, Hayabusa, Orbitals?)

– Small Projects (ARC)

International Collaborations and Future Opportunities (ICFO) Program

• Need means to enable Australian space scientists to participate officially in future international space projects.

• Current schemes (NCRIS, ARC etc.) can’t suffice: < 6-12 months notice for proposal for ≥5 yr funding at ≥$1M/yr.

• International space projects for which Aust. SS are well-placed include:

– Global Exploration Strategy (GES) – dusty plasmas, biology, radiation damage, Mars Analog Sites …

– Hayabusa II – Japanese sample return & cosmochemistry

– Orbitals – Canadian radiation belts mission

– MWA (Murchison Widefield Array) – US-Aust. project

– Hyperspectral imaging instrument ??

– Venus Express?

• How should this be structured/proposed to Govt?

Medium Projects

• DigiRadar – fully digital HF radars $2M

• Scramjet propulsion for access to space - $5M

• Plasma thrusters - $2M

• Planetary Data & Image Analysis Facility - $1M

Large Projects: Flagships & Grand Challenge

4 Large Projects: – Octant, – Lightning, – NISS, & – Sundiver

• Medium projects (DigiRadar, Thrusters, Scramjets, Planetary Data & Imaging, Cosmochemistry)

• International Collaboration & Future Projects (GES, Hayabusa, Orbitals, RS?)

• Small Projects (ARC)

“Octant” (Themes SSE, P2P, & LIFTS) - $7M assets (2008-2010) + $10M operations (2008-2017)

• Instrument ~1/8 World’s surface: Radar, optical/IR, GPS TEC & scints, magnetometer, digisonde, solar radio, and radio comms. • Connection to international space/ground networks & Lightning • Provide vital ionospheric info for SKA, NTD, MWA etc. • Provide ionospheric, atmospheric, and comms info (and cover) ….

• 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.

International Links: SERC (Japan)Cosmic Ray Net,SAMBA and AWESOME (USA),Meridian (China)…

Aust. Links: Unis, BoM, CSIRO, DSTO, GA, IPS, Industry

Large Project “Octant” (Themes SSE, P2P, & LIFTS.)

Existing & New Assets:1. Iono/atmosph. Radars: TIGER + 3 DigiTigers2. Atmos/meteorite radars: Buckland, Katherine3. Optical: Fabry-Perot4. GPS arrays, incl upgraded NCRIS assets.5. Magnetometers: GA, SERC, IPS + Newcastle6. Ionosondes: IPS, DSTO7. Solar radiotelescopes8. Cosmic ray detectors9. VLF detectors (AWSESOME)

10. SKA & MWA-LFD11. PILOT Antarctic telesc.

Science: Dynamic ionosphereAtmospheric dynamicsGPS TomographyMagnetosphereSolar & interplanetarySun-Earth couplingSpace weatherRadar & wave physicsSKA & MWA-LFDSea stateClimate Orbital debrisMeteorites

Octant – Make Australia’s 1/8th of the world the best instrumented and modelled for measuring and predicting space weather and its diverse effects on Government, industry and society.

Lightning-1 & -2: Large Project• Dynamics of equatorial to high-

latitude 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)

• DSTO Beacon/Receiver for ionospheric radars

• 1 equatorial, • 1 highly inclined.• 250-1000 km altitude (alterable)• Upgradable

Lightning-1 & -2: Large Project Cost $30M, Launch 2012, End 2017

Proposed Assets & Instruments:2 spacecraft, 1 equatorial, 1 inclinedThermal plasma (electrons and ions)Local electric and magnetic fieldsPlasma waves and radio waveIonospheric beacon for DSTOLightning and sprite imagersGreenhouse gas concentrationsAtmospheric compositionSpectral imagers for remote sensingGravimetric gradient detectorsMagnetic gradient detectorsPlasma thrusters for propulsion

Science & Technology Goals:Dynamic ionosphereAtmospheric dynamicsMagnetospheric couplingIonospheric beacon receptionSpace weatherLightning from ground to spaceGlobal electrodynamic circuitClimate changeAtmospheric compositionRemote sensingGround-truth testingGravimetric mapsMagnetic mapsSpacecraft propulsion demonstratorNew instruments

Unique: strong focus on equatorial ↔ high-latitude science from ground to space, first equatorial/high-latitude 2-spacecraft mission in LEO, Australia’s first global contributions to climate change and remote sensing, ionospheric beacon for radio propagation studies, first LEO mission with large orbital change capabilities, demonstrations of new Australian capabilities for space tech, strong opportunities for overlap with Octant and ground-truth testing.

Aust. Links: Unis, BoM, CSIRO, DSTO, GA, IPS, Industry

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:• Discover corona’s heating mechanism.

• Planetary geology (grav/mag) + atmos

Graphite Sun shield?Design – simplified by certain death. •Redundancy: 2 spacecraft at once?

MISSION / INSTRUMENTS •Magnetometer, plasma waves.plasma & neutral measurements.• Imaging & spectrometers. • Propulsion : major orbit changes

RESOURCES ~ $40M Time Line: start 2008, Launch 2014, end 2017. Collaboration: As required. .

Grand Challenge: Sundiver (All themes)

Science & Technology Goals:Heating of the solar coronaOrigin of the solar windCMEs, flares and space weatherComposition of corona and solar windZodiacal dust distributionRemote sensing of Venus & MoonVenusian greenhouse modelingGravimetric maps of Venus & MoonMagnetic maps of Venus & MoonSpacecraft propulsion demonstratorInstrument developmentInternational collaboration

Proposed Assets and Instruments:1 or 2 spacecraft (redundancy)Thermal plasma (electrons & ions)Local electric and magnetic fieldsPlasma waves and radio waveEnergetic particlesSolar wind compositionDust experimentAtmospheric compositionSpectral imagers - remote sensingGravimetric gradient detectorsMagnetic gradient detectorsPlasma thrusters for propulsion

World firsts: (a) in situ investigation of the coronal and inner solar wind plasma via infalling spacecraft (grails of solar physics), (b) zodiacal dust studies in situ (c) propulsion demonstration …

National Institute for Space Science (NISS)

• Goal: be national, unifying focus for Australian research on SS&T.

• Link groups, & create and link focused centers of excellence, build large strategic program directed towards Plan goals/projects.

• Theory/modeling a focus.• Evaluate projects proposed to

ANSSCG & coordinate education & community efforts.

Distributed virtual model for this Decade.Funds, timing, priority?

VII. Overview• NCSS & the Steering Committee are developing

the first Australian Decadal Plan for Space Science: 2008-2017, www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~ncss .

• Plan launch expected in early 2008. • 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.

• Help needed to complete and revise Draft Plan.

IV. Science Themes

Global Science Themes: Longterm Vision & Big Picture Questions

Science Projects & Facilities

Links and Benefits to Government & Industry

II. Draft Vision

• Australia’s space scientists sustainably make world-class scientific discoveries and technology,

• lead and take part in national and international space projects,

• provide strong national benefits ranging from education to industry to defence,

• are highly valued by the Australian Government and all sections of society, and

• strongly increase Australia’s national prestige.