9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

INAUGURAL DECADAL PLAN FOR SPACE SCIENCE: 2007-2016

PROGRESS REPORT

National Committee for Space Science* Prof Iver Cairns (Chair) University of SydneyDr Charles Barton ANUDr David Cole IPS Radio and Space Services Prof Peter Dyson La Trobe UniversityProf Brian Fraser University of NewcastleDr Alex Held COSSAProf Andrew Parfitt University of South AustraliaProf Bob Vincent University of AdelaideProf Malcolm Walter Macquarie University *http://www.science.org.au/natcoms/ss-decadal.htm;

ncss@physics.usyd.edu.au

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

INAUGURAL DECADAL PLAN FOR SPACE SCIENCE: 2007-2016

PROGRESS REPORT

I. What is Space Science?

II. Development of the Decadal Plan

III. Global Science Themes

IV.Sun and Space to Earth – Space Weather

V. Summary Presentation of Plan – February 2007

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

I. What is Space Science?

• Science associated with solar system phenomena and objects.

• “Everything above the tropopause”.

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

I. What is Space Science?

Space Science Includes:• space physics • solar physics • atmospheric and other

geosciences• planetary science and

astrobiology• remote sensing of Earth

from orbit

Astronomy extra-solar system.

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

2 (i). The Decadal Plan Development - Motivations

• Australian Academy of Science has ~ 20 National Committees : – Intended to foster an area/field of science– Link Australian and international scientists in the area.

• National Committee for Space Science (NCSS) embraces a wide range of scientific disciplines applied to the study of space and/or the use of space vehicles as platforms for scientific research instruments.

• This diversity is a strength in that it provides many opportunities for scientific research but Australia will benefit most from a focused approach that identifies key scientific programs that build on our current scientific expertise and are of national relevance.

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

• “Space technologies are essential to resolve vital national interest issues which span … services used by industry, government & citizens …national security, water … mining, .. transport. ”

• “Currently we are operating in a high-risk environment. Even the temporary loss of many key, space-based services … would damage the nation.”

• Of top 26 nations by GDP only 2 have no space program: Australia (14) and Mexico (11) …

• In ASEAN Australia one of few without a space program.

• In this environment the Decadal Plan is an opportunity to provide a science plan that supports space technologies and is a component of an Australian Space Policy.

2(ii). National Significance

“Space: A Priority for Australia” – Senator Grant Chapman & Space Policy Advisory Group [December 2005]

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

• Present widely-agreed, visionary research themes and projects directed towards achieving the long-term scientific goals of the Australian space science community.

• Link this research and goals with the interests and requirements of Australian constituencies: the wider scientific community, Government, Industry, and public.

• Through postgraduate programs and related undergraduate programs provide specialist training in areas of National Interest

2 (iii). General Aims

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

2 (iv). Process

• 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 (e.g., priority research topics, ideas, and projects) and draft text for the Plan to the Steering Committee.

Decadal Plan Steering Committee

Science Working Groups

Industry /ScienceWorking Groups

Government Working Group

DemographicsWorking Group

Public Outreach Working Group

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

2(v). Science Organization

Science Themes: Longterm Vision & Important Questions

Science Projects & Facilities

Links and Benefits to Government & Industry

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2(vi). Participants

Auspace Australian Antarctic DivisionANU British Aerospace Australia

Bureau of Meteorology Cisco Systems

COSSA DSTO

Geospace 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 Sydney

University of South Australia University of Queensland

University of Southern Queensland University of Technology, Sydney

University of Western Australia Vipac

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

(i) Sun and Space to EarthUnderstand the Sun and its connections to Earth, including space weather, the atmosphere, and effects on modern human society.

The Sun and Heliosphere• What causes coronal mass ejections (CMEs)? • How can we accurately predict effects of CMEs on the terrestrial

environment ? The Magnetosphere• What are the mechanisms for energy

transfer from the solar wind to the magnetosphere?

• How much solar winds energy is 'captured' by the magnetosphere?

3. Global Science Themes

Sun

Interplanetary Space

Earth’s Magnetosphere

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

(i) Sun and Space to EarthUnderstand the Sun and its connections to Earth, including space weather, the atmosphere, and effects on modern human society.

The Ionosphere• What drivers couple different latitude, longitude and magnetically

conjugate regions? • What triggers the different drivers?• Develop better models to aid

prediction of impacts on tech-nologies such as GPS, JORN and communications

3. Global Science Themes

Sun

Interplanetary Space

Earth’s Magnetosphere

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

(i) Sun and Space to Earth

(ii) Observing Australia, Earth and Planets from Space

Satellites provide excellent platforms to:• study and monitor the atmosphere, oceans, vegetation,

etc• Monitor bushfires, etc

3. Global Science Themes

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

(i) Sun and Space to Earth

(ii) Observing Australia, Earth and Planets from Space

(iii) Plasma to PlanetsUnderstand the physics, chemistry, geology, and biology of natural space and astrophysical plasmas.

(iv) Life and Technology in SpaceHow did life evolve on Earth and perhaps elsewhere?

3. Global Science Themes

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

Theme 1. Sun and Space to Earth – Space Weather

Sun

Interplanetary Space

Earth’s Magnetosphere

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

Region Australia

• ~1/8 World’s surface: Currently we have radars, optical/IR, GPS TEC & scintillation, magnetometers, digisondes, solar radio, and radio comms.

• A large region of geospace which it is essential for us to understand how

it behaves, and to monitor.

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9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

Some Current Australian Space Physics Instruments

TIGERradar

FedSat – only spacecraftCulgoora

Antarctica

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

Halloween 2003 Storms

[Yizengaw et al., 2005]

FedSat GPS Tomography

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

Theme 1. Sun and Space to Earth – Space Weather

Suggested New Resources:

• New larger more capable radars

• Satellite instruments – low orbit equatorial satellite?

• Virtual Theory/Modelling/Data Center

9th Australian Space Development Conference, Canberra, 19 July 2006

SummaryWhere are we at?• Four science themes have emerged• Decadal Plan Working Groups final reports in

preparation

Next Stage:Finalise specific projects and prioritise them.

Decadal Plan Finalised:• February 2007 Decadal Plan Workshop

Tomorrow at 3:30 PM