Stardust The asteroid and space debris research and training network
Stardust is a 4.1M research and training network supported by the European Commission to focus on asteroid and space debris issues on a global scale Stardust will last for 4 years starting on the 1st of February 2013 Strathclyde University is the coordinator 14 partners all over Europe: 10 full partners and 4 associate partners 15 researchers will be recruited on Stardust 8 major training and outreach events organised within Stardust 5 universities, 4 companies, 2 national research centres, 1 university research centre, one national observatory and the European Space Agency 2
Stardust, the first in its kind, is going to train the next generation of engineers, scientists, decision makers to face the asteroid and space debris problem 3 training schools on the major topics of the research programme 4 workshops involving the international community One final global conference A white paper to provide recommendations to the European Community on what to do next 3
Who s who in the network, and Where they are in the world 4
Stardust2013eu stardust@strath.ac.uk www.stardust2013.eu Website Future portal will be a fully dedicated external site Twitter account Linked-In Group is not public but people can be accepted if the Supervisory Board agrees E-mail address 5
SPACE DEBRIS Observation Orbit Determination Impact Prediction Manipulation/R emoval Disposal Some key commonalities between active debris removal and asteroid deflection Merge two active communities to protect our terrestrial and space assets Cross fertilisation and improvement of key technologies for asteroid deflection/manipulation/exploitation and active debris removal/on orbit servicing ASTEROIDS 6 Observation Orbit Determination Impact Prediction Manipulation/R emoval Exploitation
Three main areas of research: Modelling & Simulation Active Removal/Deflection of Uncooperative Targets Orbit & Attitude Estimation and Prediction 7
This research area forms the basis of every analysis or tool that aims to predict the evolution of the debris environment, the danger of an actual impact with an asteroid, the consequences of a deflection or removal action. The prediction of the damage, the future evolution of the orbit of debris and asteroids and their response to a deflection/removal attempt require modelling of the dynamics and dynamic environment, the long term simulation, the modelling and simulation of the possible damage including re-entry and impact on ground 8
Orbital and Attitude Dynamics Modelling Long Term Orbit and Attitude Evolution Modelling & Simulation Particle Cloud Modelling and Simulation Collision and Impact Modelling and Simulation Re-entry Modelling and Simulation Asteroid Origins and Characterisation 9
The ultimate goal is to predict, with high precision, the probability of an impact or collision and the evolution of the associated risk. After a removal/deflection action is applied, the dynamic state of the asteroid/piece of debris needs to be estimated with an appropriate set of observations and measurements. From the state estimation, one can predict the residual damage (that needs to be brought to zero) 10
Orbit and Attitude Determination & Prediction Orbit and Attitude Determination Impact Prediction and Risk Analysis 11
This research area forms the basis of every analysis or tool that aims to predict the evolution of the debris environment, the danger of an actual impact with an asteroid, the consequences of a deflection or removal action Deflection/removal of asteroids and space debris require specific technologies, definition and analysis of specific mission scenarios and control of the removal/deflection action 12
Active Removal/Defle ction of Uncooperative Targets Mission Analysis Proximity Operations Active Removal/Deflection Control Under Uncertainty Active Removal/Deflection Technologies 13
The overriding goal of this network is to train researchers to develop and master techniques for asteroid and space debris monitoring, removal/deflection and exploitation such that they can be applied in a real scenario The integration of all the disciplines involved in this network is a fundamental step towards the resolution of the asteroid and space debris issue and has beneficial consequences in all research areas The network will require training in a diverse range of fields from ground based optical and radar observation, robotic intervention and advanced propulsion technologies The network researchers will therefore receive a uniquely broad and interdisciplinary training, in addition to acquiring specialist skills Interestingly, the communities dealing with asteroids and space debris already intersect and many scholars in this ITN work proficiently in both areas 14
Stardust training cycle 2 Nonformal Transformative Learning RESEARCH PROJECT Report writing Research skills CONFERENCE Technical writing skills Presentation skills 6 Formal Informative Learning INNOVATION/SCHOOL Proposal writing Time/resource management 1 Formal Informative Learning SCHOOL ESR Event organisation Communication skills Leadership skills 3 Nonformal Transformative Learning WORKSHOP / WORKING GROUP ER 5 Informal Learning R&D PROJECT Industrial experience Communications skills Time management Informal Transformative Learning INTERNSHIP / SECONDMENT 4 7 Management skills Teaching, supervising 15
Working groups are a peculiarity of this ITN and are there to promote cross-disciplinary training and activities Provide cross-disciplinary training to the E(S)Rs Provide management/supervision training to the E(S)Rs Blend the activities within this ITN to effectively reach the common goals of this ITN: active debris removal and asteroid manipulation 16
WGs are formed by E(S)Rs of different institutions who work on a joint project for up to 6 months The initial coordination and supervision of the WGs is provided by the supervisors of the E(S)R After which the coordination/supervision of the WG will pass to the ERs WGs will work remotely using Skype, the Linked-In group, the blog/website, Facebook or other media to communicate and organise their work The results of a set of WGs will be presented at an internal training event, after which a new set of WGs will be started Working Groups 17
Candidates need to submit a CV and a cover letter in English expressing up to 2 job preferences and their motivations for taking up the selected post Applications need to be send to stardust@strath.ac.uk and/or directly to the host institution Two letters of reference need to be submitted by the referees directly to stardust@strath.ac.uk or to the host institution Incomplete applications will not be considered and no feedback will be provided How to apply 18
Early-Stage Researchers (ESR) must, at the time of recruitment, be in the first four years (of full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree For all available positions, at the time of recruitment, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host institution (defined as the research institution or company cited in the job posting) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date How to apply 19
The post of Early-Stage Researcher is for 36 months, and will start in Sept/Oct 2013 May be done in conjunction with a doctoral degree at the host university Each ESR will include two 3-month internships to other institutions within the network There are 11 open positions for ESRs University of Strathclyde, University of Southampton (UK) Universitá di Roma Tor Vergata, Universitá di Pisa (Italy) Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain) Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade (Serbia) DFKI (Germany) How to apply 20
Experienced Researchers (ER) must, at the time of recruitment: Have a doctoral degree or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience, and Must have less than five years of full-time equivalent research experience overall (including the time spent during the PhD) For all available positions, at the time of recruitment, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host institution (defined as the research institution or company cited in the job posting) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date How to apply 21
The post of Experienced Researcher is for 24 months, and will start in early 2014 Each ER will include two 3-month secondments to other institutions within the network There are 4 open positions for ESRs Istituto di Fisica Applicata "Nello Carrara" (IFAC) del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy) Dinamica Srl (Italy) DEIMOS Space (Spain) University of Strathclyde (UK) How to apply 22
Once an application is submitted, it is evaluated to ensure the candidate meets the required criteria, and is then assessed and rated by a board Only valid applications will receive an acknowledgement email Short-listed candidates will be notified and invited for an interview approximately 2 months after the application deadline Successful candidates will then be offered a position(s) Unsuccessful candidates will be also notified by email, with feedback available upon request How to apply 23
Average fulltime salary including mobility allowance and training: 38000 a year for Early Stage Researchers for 36 months maximum 58500 a year for Experienced Researchers for 24 months maximum 700 (no family) or 1000(with family) per month of mobility allowance Note: these figures are the average only. The exact salary, plus benefits such as health insurance and pension depend on the host institution and differ between countries. For ESRs, there is also an option to do a concurrent PhD How to apply 24
More information including research areas and details of each post are available at: http://www.strath.ac.uk/stardust/jobs http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/jobs/index (search for Stardust ) Deadline for applications for ESR positions: 31 May 2013 Deadline for applications for ER positions: 15 Sept 2013 How to apply 25
International Stardust conference Opening training school Milestone Training Events Network training school Local training workshop Global virtual workshop 26
International Stardust conference Opening training school Milestone Training Events Global virtual workshop Network training school The activities of the researchers start with an Opening Training School (OTS) that will encompass all the technical domains of the research network. The school is intended to give an overview the key subjects underpinning the monitoring and removal/deflection of debris and asteroids. The OTS will be organised by the University of Strathclyde and will specifically address the initial training of the researchers. The school will last for 1 week Local training workshop 27
International Stardust conference Following the OTS, there will be two other schools, held annually, specifically devoted to cover each of the 3 research Opening training school areas Each school will consist Milestone of: Series of short lecture courses on Training Events more advanced topics, given by experts in the field Series of seminars whose aim will be to give the researchers a broad overview of the network projects that they will be contributing to Round tables with representatives of the prime industries and agencies such that Global they virtual can provide their point workshop of view as decision makers Network training school Local training workshop 28
Opening training school International Stardust conference Local training workshops (LTW) are formative learning experience in which researchers are brought together to work on the development of a multidisciplinary project These workshops answer to the need to prepare the researchers Milestone to the development Training of a real Events project in which the acquired knowledge needs to be applied to the solution of practical problems They will train the researchers to work in team with a common goal and taking up different roles (team leader, project manager, domain specialist, etc.) Network training school Local training workshop Global virtual workshop 29
Opening training school International Stardust conference GVW will be joint workshops including video conferences with one or more institutions outside Europe Milestone Training Events Network training school During the video conference researchers will deliver presentations and attend the presentations of the working groups in the extra-european countries This network will be able to involve many more scholars than what could be invited as visiting researchers, broadening the training experience to many more sources of knowledge Each workshop will run for 4 days at different locations around Europe Local training workshop Global virtual workshop 30
International Stardust conference The International Stardust Conference is the closing event of this ITN with the involvement of all the partners Opening training school Milestone Training Events The main aim to present the work of the ITN to peers and colleagues world-wide, and to exchange information on the current and predicted future state of the art of space debris and asteroid mitigation Network training school Local training workshop Global virtual workshop 31
How would you deflect an asteroid? Better yet, capture and control it? Mine it for resources? Effective technologies for asteroid manipulation and material extraction will be developed to protect and support our planet. How can we dispose or re-engineer space debris? Recycling doesn t apply only to your household waste. Innovative methods of disposing of or reusing space debris will be developed to keep our space clean. How do you control something that doesn t want to be controlled? Both asteroids and space debris are tumbling uncooperative objects. Cutting edge optimisation techniques, combined with new ways of incorporating uncertainties will be used to design optimal strategies to control and manipulate asteroids and space debris. What happens when a piece of debris or an asteroid enters the atmosphere? Advanced technics for computational fluid dynamics under uncertainty will be developed to accurately predicting the impact of a re-entry object on the ground. 2 Early Stage Researcher and 1 Experienced Researcher positions are now open University of Strathclyde 32
Can you create a system that can predict an impact? A European system of collision avoidance for satellites does not exist yet! What is the risk of debris hitting a satellite? What happens when the collision creates more debris? The Kessler syndrome is a scenario in which the number of space debris is high enough that collisions between objects could cause a cascade One implication is that the distribution of debris in orbit could render space exploration, and even the use of satellites, unfeasible for many generations. The University of Pisa is currently ranked 1st nationally, in the top 30 in Europe and top 300 in the world The team has internationally recognized experience in the creation of new algorithms for orbit determination and in performing impact monitoring for near-earth asteroids 2 Early Stage Researcher positions are now open University of Pisa 33
How do asteroids spin? What factors affect their motion? Rotational and orbital dynamics of Near-Earth Objects (NEO) and space debris is strongly chaotic, being affected by complex spin-orbit couplings, orbit perturbations and, in the case of asteroids, close encounters with major planets Can the pressure of light from the Sun be enough to alter an orbit? The Yarkovsky effect, first noted in 1900, is when the warmer side of an asteroid or meteor, illuminated by the Sun, will emit heat which is enough to alter the spin of an asteroid, and ultimately its orbit Tor Vergata is a unique research environment and one of the most dynamic aggregations in the country Home to the Italian Space Agency Headquarters, National Institute for Astrophysics and the European Space Agency Centre for Earth Observation 2 Early Stage Researcher positions are now open University of Rome Tor Vergata 34
What is the impact of an impact? Whether it is space debris hitting a active satellite, or an asteroid hitting the Earth, it is vital that we understand the consequences of an impact. Advanced simulation models will be developed to better understand the consequences of an impact. Which technologies do we need to dispose of space debris or deflect asteroids? Autonomous proximity operations, area augmentation devises, passive deorbiting techniques, these only some of the advanced technologies that will be developed to address the disposal of space debris and deflection of asteroids Southampton is one of the top 15 research universities and one of the leading entrepreneurial universities in the UK One of the key centres for space debris in Europe, the University of Southampton covers a number of underpinning areas of research from propulsion to astrodynamics, from robotics to space systems 2 Early Stage Researcher positions are now open University of Southampton 35
How do you predict the path of asteroid? What effect does other planets have on the orbit? Investigate promising orbit propagation methods based on advanced orbital dynamics formulations Can you develop models to determine where a piece of space debris will be in 1 week? 1 month? 1 year? 10 years? Come up with new techniques for orbit determination using computer algorithms to simulate and predict the location of space debris UPM has a strong commitment to R&D and innovation The university has over 225 research units and over 10 Research Institutes and Technological Centres 1 Early Stage Researcher position is now open Universidad Politécnica de Madrid 36
Where do Near Earth Asteroids come from? Where did the originate, and what placed them on an orbit near Earth? Violent collisions among asteroids inject fragments into powerful resonances, which are then responsible for transport of these bodies inside the region of the terrestrial planets Identifying from which family particular NEA may have originated is of great importance to predict the characteristics of a possible impactor AOB is one of the oldest scientific institutions in Serbia, founded in 1887 Scientific fields range from dynamical astronomy and planetology, astrophysics of stars and Sun, stellar, interstellar and intergalactic matter, to cosmology and astrobiology 1 Early Stage Researcher position is now open Astronomical Observatory Belgrade 37
How can you operate side-by-side with a piece of space debris? Work will to be done to develop software algorithms for AI onboard the spacecraft such that you can ensure a secure, synchronized and controlled approach to a freeflying, uncooperative object What guidance and control do you need to rendez-vous with an asteroid? Advanced GNC techniques for a spacecraft will be developed, which is critical when working in close proximity to an irregular-shaped asteroid Robotics to save the planet? Removing space debris by using robotics is a key field of research within DFKI, this will be extended to examine using contact technology to deflect asteroids One of the largest non-profit research institutes in the field of innovative software technology and artificial intelligence The Robotics Innovation Centre (RIC) maintains a space exploration lab which features a test stand for satellite rendezvous-and-capture, a lunar surface test area, and an ISS mock-up 1 Early Stage Researcher position is now open German Research Centre for 38 Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)
What is the most effective way to deal with space debris? Active debris removal is currently seen as the most viable remediation measure to limit, and possibly stop, the growth of the space debris population The removal of objects from space is often a highly complex and expensive task; computer simulations will be developed to assess the different strategies and determine which is the best one to use under what circumstances What happens to clouds of debris in the short term? Long term? The dynamical and collisional evolution of a cloud of fragments in Low Earth Orbit will be studied and modelled in a computer simulation environment The Nello Carrara Institute of Applied Physics is part of the National Research Council, the main public organisation pursuing research and innovation in Italy The main objectives of the Institute are to produce research at an international level, and innovation for the national economic system 1 Experienced Researcher position is now open Italian Institute of Applied Physics 39
Can you optimise the required control for a spacecraft in order to actively remove debris? For an asteroid deflection missions? Advanced trajectory design methods will be developed to perform the preliminary mission analysis of trajectories to asteroids and space debris Nonlinear and stochastic optimal control techniques will be developed to address the spacecraft control needed for uncooperative targets Dinamica is a young Italian SME located in Milan, Italy One of the main aims of the company is transfer technology from the space framework to the industrial applications, with particular attention to methodologies and techniques to cope with complex problems 1 Experienced Researcher position is now open Dinamica Srl 40
Catch a lift to an asteroid? A host of different approaches will be used for the design of the trajectory from launch to the rendez-vous with the asteroid, including using low versus high thrust propulsion Sit, stay? What do you do with the spacecraft once you reach the target asteroid? We will design numerous possible operation orbits, specifically looking for stabile orbits where the spacecraft can remain using a minimum amount of control A high degree of precision is needed, leading to the development of high fidelity models for orbit prediction Deimos was involved in the mission concept studies for the ESA Don Quijote mission on kinetic impact mitigation Expertise in key areas of: mission analysis, mission requirements definition, GNC, ground-based and autonomous operations, NEO risk assessment, NEO threat mitigation strategies, radio-science experimentation and asteroid characterisation 1 Experienced Researcher position is now open Deimos Space 41
Stardust ITN The asteroid and space debris research and training network www.linked-in.com www.twitter.com/stardust2013 eu stardust@strath.ac.uk www.stardust-2013.eu