space:uk

www.bnsc.gov.uk October 2006 Issue 20

Forecasting disaster
How satellites can help save lives
An historic day at Farnborough Airshow Seeing stars with X-ray vision The Earth from space a pull-out poster And did you hear the one about the Martian?

www.bnsc.gov.uk

CONTENTS
Credit: Armagh Planetarium

WELCOME
As the new Editor of space:uk, I am delighted to welcome you to our latest edition. On the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Kashmir, space:uk speaks to top scientists who are using satellites to help forecast natural disasters. Find out how on page 8. BNSC celebrates its 21st birthday in November and we look at the UK involvement in three pioneering space science missions over the last three decades on page 6. Read all about the worlds largest airshow in our special Farnborough feature on page 12 and see the results of our Design a Spacecraft and Space Joke competitions on page 15. As always, if you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know by emailing bnscinfo@bnsc.gsi.gov.uk or write to me at the address below. Azara Bibi space:uk editor
British National Space Centre 151 Buckingham Palace Road London, SW1W 9SS

02/07 SPACE NEWS

Credit: COMET

8/10 PREDICTING THE UNPREDICTABLE

BNSC is a voluntary partnership of 11 Government departments and research councils. For full details, please visit our website at: www.bnsc.gov.uk For more information on the BNSC partners, see their websites: British National Space Centre (BNSC) www.bnsc.gov.uk Department for Education and Skills (DfES) www.dfes.gov.uk Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) www.defra.gov.uk Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) www.dti.gov.uk

Department for Transport (DfT) www.dft.gov.uk Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) www.fco.gov.uk Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk Ministry of Defence (MOD) www.mod.uk Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) www.nerc.ac.uk Office of Science and Technology (OSI) www.dti.gov.uk/science Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) www.pparc.ac.uk Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (CCLRC) www.cclrc.ac.uk
Credit: Image courtesy of G. Hasinger, MPE Garching, and ESA.

11 X-RAY VISION

Front cover image credit: AOES Medialab

www.bnsc.gov.uk

02/07 SPACE:UK NEWS

Venus revealed, SMART-1 crashes, space tourism and BNSC at 21.

Credit: BNSC

8/10 PREDICTING THE UNPREDICTABLE

Saving lives with space technology.

11 X-RAY VISION
12/14 SPACE FOR THE WORLD
Credit: AOES Medialab Credit: ESA

Mysteries of deep space with XMM-Newton.

12/14 SPACE FOR THE WORLD

The worlds space leaders gather at Farnborough.

16/17 WARMING THE BLUE PLANET

15 HOW MANY MARTIANS?

Your space jokes.

LEARNING ZONE 16/17 WARMING THE BLUE PLANET

The Earths changing climate.

18/19 ASK THE EXPERTS

Asteroids, space weather and spies in space.

BACK COVER SPACE TRAVELLERS GUIDE TO... MARS

20 RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS 21 CAREER FILE

Have you got the right stuff to work in the space industry?

BACK COVER
Space travellers guide to... Mars.

PULL-OUT POSTER
Incredible images of the Earth from Europes Envisat.

space:uk 01

www.bnsc.gov.uk

SPACE:UK NEWS
A MILLION STAR HOTEL?
Credit: Space Adventures Ltd.

NEWS IN BRIEF
Mapping the wind ESA has selected British company LogicaCMG to develop the mission control software for the Aeolus wind mapping satellite. The Aeolus spacecraft will provide global observations of wind profiles from space to improve the quality of weather forecasts. Due for launch in late 2007, the mission is designed to improve our understanding of atmospheric dynamics and climate processes. Celestial cathedral The Armagh Planetarium in Northern Ireland has reopened after a major refurbishment. The 3 million improvements were funded by Northern Irelands Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. They include a re-designed 360 Digital Theatre the first of its kind in Northern Ireland; a new exhibition area; Mars room and a giant model of the International Space Station. A highlight of the new complex is the creation of the Armagh Celestial Cathedral, featuring eight gothic arches and Hubble imagery. www.armaghplanet.com Titan weather forecast Results based on data from ESAs Huygens probe suggest that on Saturns moon, Titan, its raining liquid methane. The more we look at the data from Titan, the wetter it looks! said John Zarnecki from the Open University. Maybe what we landed in was something like wet sand or gravel or maybe even a bit like mud, but at around -180 C! The International team of scientists that conducted the study, published in the journal Nature, said that as a result of the rain, Huygens landed with a splat!

Space Adventures client and first female spaceflight participant, Anousheh Ansari, is due to fly to the International Space Station on 14 September.

The growth in global space tourism was the subject of a one day conference sponsored by UK company Vega and hosted by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) on 7 June. Entitled From Lofty Dreams to Commercial Reality, the meeting brought together representatives from the fledgling space tourism industry and others interested in how this new sector may develop. A UK company, Virgin Galactic, is likely to be the first to offer suborbital flights in a spacecraft dedicated, at least initially, to space tourism. The President of Virgin Galactic, Will Whitehorn, told space:uk that they plan to fly their first tourists by the summer of 2009. Its ambitious but not unachievable, said Will. We believe there are genuine customers to fly at this price level of $200,000.

Current studies estimate there will be around 1,000 suborbital passengers per year by early in the next decade with the market worth some $1billion by 2021. The Keeping a watch conference heard that this is quite some way from mass A new Centre to coordinate the monitoring of the market tourism. As well as the cost although in time the environment and climate is being created by the Natural price of flights will undoubtedly come down there are also Environment Research Council (NERC). The National Centre issues of safety. Statistically NASA astronauts have a one for Earth Observation will have overall responsibility for in 64 chance of not surviving a flight into space; Virgin is NERCs Earth Observation centres of excellence. These centres use data from satellites to monitor global and regional aiming for a level of safety of one in tens of thousands. What were trying to design here is a safe and commercially changes in the environment. The centres have already highlighted significant environmental changes such as ozone reliable, environmentally friendly, new type of space launch system, Will said. depletion, atmospheric pollution, and melting sea ice.
Titans complex atmosphere.
Credit: ESA

Teenage visitors to the Armagh Planetarium.

Credit: Armagh Planetarium

The Chairman of the RAeS Space Group, Pat Norris, said the development of space tourism was good news for the UK. Its good for the space industry its giving a boost to the whole sector, said Pat. And, he added, a reversal of the trend of the past. Generally things have tended to be invented in the UK then exploited commercially in the US, here were seeing the reverse where something invented in the US is being exploited in the UK.

02 space:uk

www.bnsc.gov.uk

VENUS REVEALED
A mysterious swirling vortex, stripy clouds and a poisonous haze just some of the delights of the Venusian atmosphere revealed by Europes Venus Express. The spacecraft entered its final 24-hour long orbit around the planet on 7 May. It then underwent a series of tests before officially entering the operational phase of the mission on 4 July. Since it arrived at the planet, Venus Express has been sending back a continuous stream of data, providing glimpses of planetary features never before seen. The first clear images of the south pole have confirmed the presence of a spectacular vortex in the atmosphere. At first sight it looks like a giant hurricane but with two eyes, one each side of the pole. This double structure is very mysterious, said Fred Taylor from Oxford University, an Interdisciplinary Scientist on the mission. We still dont understand it but were getting a much better look at it now with the advanced instruments on board Venus Express. Other details from the thick atmosphere have also started to emerge. Ultraviolet images reveal complex cloud patterns including stripes, which could be a result of high winds producing elongated structures. One of the most important confirmations is the detection of so-called UV absorbers. These absorb a sizeable amount of the solar energy the planet receives. What substance causes this absorption is still a mystery. A study of the higher atmosphere has also
Credit: ESA Credit: ESA

revealed a high haze extending up to 105 km above the planet. Mission scientists say its too early to explain what this haze is made up of. Although most of the spacecraft is performing well, there is a problem with one of the key instruments on board. The Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS) is jammed shut. The cause is still being investigated but the upshot is that the instrument is unable to see its targets. Fred Taylor told space:uk that they havent given up on it yet. It was hoped that once the spacecraft was in orbit around Venus and the thermal conditions were better it would free itself, unfortunately it didnt, said Fred. However, well keep trying to get it to work. Overall though, he said he was pleased with the way the mission was going. Its very exciting. The datas coming in beautifully. Venus Express scientists will gather at a series of international meetings in the autumn to discuss their early results. Some of the work is also expected to be published shortly in scientific journals. However, it will be several months before the mass of data can be fully analysed. The spacecraft will remain in orbit around Venus until at least 2008. For more on Venus Express, including the latest news and teaching resources, see the BNSC website: www.bnsc.gov.uk
Credit: ESA

xxxxxxxvortex at Venus south pole. Double

xxxxxxx Clouds of Venus.

We still dont understand [the vortex in Venus atmosphere] but were getting a much better look at it now with the advanced instruments on board Venus Express.
Fred Taylor, Oxford University scientist
Artists view of atmospheric vortex over Venus north pole.

space:uk 03

www.bnsc.gov.uk

SPACE:UK NEWS CONTINUED

SMART-1 GOES OUT WITH A BANG
Europes Smart-1 spacecraft has reached its final resting place: the Lake of Excellence on the Moon. By adjusting its orbit, the controlled crash landing could be monitored and observed from Earth. Shortly after Smart-1 transmitted its final data, astronomers witnessed a bright impact flash as the spacecraft hit the Moons surface. Smart-1, which stands for Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology, was designed to answer some fundamental questions about the geology and formation of the Moon. With ten instruments on board, it was also the first space probe to test an innovative propulsion system. This ion engine employed solar panels to generate electricity which was used to produce charged particles. A beam of these charged particles was then expelled from the spacecraft to push it forward. The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) funded the UKs contribution to Smart-1. Smart1 has been amazingly successful, said head of PPARC, Keith Mason. UK and European scientists and engineers have made a significant contribution to future international lunar exploration programmes. Scientists are now analysing data from the Smart-1 impact which will reveal the chemical composition of the rock and dust thrown up by the collision.

NEWS IN BRIEF
15/07/06 18/07/06

Heat maps showing increases in UK land temperatures between 15 July and 18 July 2006.
Credit: ESA University of Leicester

Pluto not a planet The number of planets in the Solar System has dropped from nine to eight, following an International Astronomical Union (IAU) resolution. A proposal tabled at the IAU General Assembly meeting in August officially determined the word planet and Pluto failed to meet the new criteria. According to the meeting, Pluto will now be categorised as a dwarf planet. The resolution was passed following a week of stormy debate and has been criticised by many senior scientists. For the full story see www.bnsc.gov.uk Earth watchers meet Plans to improve efforts to monitor the Earths environment were discussed at a meeting co-chaired by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and the World Meteorological Organisation in Geneva. This May gathering of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P) brought together a number of bodies, including CEOS representing international space agencies and BNSC, as the past CEOS chair. Subjects on the agenda included proposals to study the impact of climate and climate change on human health. More space for museum The Space Gallery at Londons Science Museum is to be updated and refreshed to incorporate the technical advances of the last two decades. The project aims to showcase Europes role at the forefront of innovative space science and technology. BNSC is one of several organisations contributing to the re-development of the gallery, which is scheduled to open in spring 2007. Space age crime fighting The science of forensics is to benefit from technology developed for space missions. The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council has awarded a grant under its Knowledge Transfer scheme to scientists at the University of Leicester who want to apply planetary imaging and analysis technology to crime scene investigations. By using techniques developed for space research, they hope to improve and fast-track the screening of trace evidence such as blood, fibres or paint specks.
04 space:uk

One of Smart-1s many stunning images of the moon.

Credit: ESA

www.bnsc.gov.uk

NEW YEAR NEW WORD

Plans are being drawn up for what promises to be a major scientific collaboration in 2007. The aim is to bring together scientists from across the world to investigate natural processes throughout the Solar System. The project is so unique researchers have even had to invent a new word to describe what its all about: Heliophysical. physics, for example, will be collaborating with those working on the atmospheres of planets. These are both areas in which the UK has particular expertise, with involvement in missions such as SOHO the Sun observation spacecraft and Cluster which is studying the interaction between the Sun and the Earths magnetic field.

The International Heliophysical Year (IHY) comes 50 years The IHY is also part of the International Polar Year and the after the original International Geophysical Year. And hope is that researchers will gain considerable benefits whereas in 1957 at the dawn of the space age scientists from pooling resources and expertise. studied physical processes on and around the Earth, the IHY will extend that to studying the entire Solar System. Mike Hapgood, Head of Space Plasmas at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, is involved with the project. We can understand physics better by comparing how processes work in different places, said Mike.

We can understand physics better by comparing how processes work in different places.
Links http://ihy2007.org IHY main site www.ihy.rl.ac.uk IHY UK site http://www.ipy.org/ International Polar Year

The main focus of study will be how the Sun affects the Earth Mike Hapgood and the rest of the Solar System. Scientists examining solar Head of Space Plasmas, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Credit: ESA

Images taken by SOHO. Each image shows different temperatures, helping us to understand the complex behaviour of the Suns atmosphere.

SEEKING SPACE SUPREMOS

Businesses in the space industry are being urged to apply to their firm. Other benefits include recognition, publicity for the UKs top business accolade and mark of a successful and staff motivation. This is a chance for a company to be business The Queens Awards for Enterprise. recognised as a leader in the space industry and one of the top businesses in the UK, said Stephen Brice, Secretary to The Awards, which include categories for International The Queens Awards Office. Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development, are open to any business based in the UK with two or more Nominations are also being invited for The Queens Award people. Previous winners have included Molecular Products, for Enterprise Promotion a special Award for individuals manufacturers of chemical technologies used in the designed to recognise those that help and inspire tomorrows International Space Station; Surrey Satellite Technology entrepreneurs. The deadline for both Awards is midnight on Limited, innovators in small satellites; and GigaSat, 31 October 2006. manufacturers of mobile satellite Earth station antennas. For application and nomination forms: More than 90% of winners last year said they thought www.queensawards.org.uk. winning the Award had brought added commercial value Or call 08705 134 486
space:uk 05

www.bnsc.gov.uk

SPACE:UK NEWS CONTINUED

21 YEARS FOR BNSC

November marks the 21st birthday of the British National Space Centre. Set up by the government in 1985 to co-ordinate space policy and programmes, BNSC has overseen the UKs space ambitions ever since. Although BNSC has remained a relatively small organisation, the UKs achievements in space have gone from strength to strength.
1985 In the year BNSC was set up, Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister and cold-war relations between East and West were thawing with the election of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The Live Aid concert galvanised the world to help tackle the famine in Africa, and Im Your Man by Wham was at number one in the UK singles charts. The highlights since 1985 have been numerous. We have picked one space science mission from each decade where the UK has taken a leading role:
Credit: NASA Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute Credit: ESA

1980S
1980s Galileo After years of preparation, the ambitious Galileo mission to Jupiter was launched in 1989. Over its remarkable 14 year lifetime, the spacecraft explored the planets Great Red Spot, flew past its 63 moons and released a probe which survived for almost an hour in Jupiters atmosphere. Highlights included the discovery of the hottest volcanoes in the Solar System on Jupiters moon, Io, and evidence of subsurface oceans on the moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. As well as being fully involved in the research, UK scientists helped design several of the instruments on board the NASA spacecraft.

1990S

2000S
2000s Aurora The UK is committed to the ambitious European Aurora space programme. Aurora is ESAs vision for robotic and, perhaps one day, even human missions to the planets. The first priority will be to concentrate on robotic missions to the Moon and Mars building on the success of Mars Express. British efforts will be focused on developing scientific and robotic technologies. The projects involve designing more sophisticated rovers and a spacecraft that could land on the Red Planet, collect samples and return them to Earth for analysis.

1990s Cassini-Huygens Where do we start? Cassini-Huygens has been one of the most successful space science missions ever launched. The UK has been at the forefront of the design, engineering and science of this international collaboration. As well as sending back remarkable close-up images of the Saturnian system, the spacecraft has, so far, revealed four new moons, a new ring and found an atmosphere around the moon Enceladus. Most spectacularly, after more than seven years in space, the Huygens probe successfully touched down on Titan revealing the moons landscape for the first time. The first part of Huygens to hit the surface was a Britishbuilt sensor. The Cassini spacecraft will continue to orbit Saturn until at least 2008.

06 space:uk

www.bnsc.gov.uk

GIOVE-A MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

The first Galileo satellite, Giove-A, has successfully met all of its goals. Launched in December 2005, the Britishbuilt spacecraft has been performing flawlessly enabling tests to be carried out on its atomic clocks, monitoring equipment and control system. Giove-A marks the first stage of Europes new Galileo satellite navigation system. Once fully operational, Galileo will provide accurate, reliable and civilian-controlled positioning to anyone on Earth with a receiver. Giove-A was built by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) and is operated from their control room. A crucial part of the mission has involved testing the spacecrafts Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS), which ensures the satellite is pointing the right way. The system was designed in collaboration with UK company Analyticon. As well as being responsible for ensuring the transmitter on board Giove-A is always facing Earth, the AOCS also has to keep the solar arrays pointing at the Sun. Analyticon also contributed to the so-called Mission Analysis of Giove-A. This includes designing any orbit change manoeuvres and planning for the eventual higher graveyard orbit when the satellite comes to the end of its life. The next spacecraft in the Galileo programme, Giove-B, is currently undergoing testing in preparation for its planned launch at the end of the year.
Aircraft will be able to use Galileo for accurate navigation.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Musee de les Ciencs, Valencia one of the venues for IAC 2006.
Credit: Javier Yaya Tur (CACSA)

Gold award UK engineer Alan Thirkettle, the head of the European Space Agencys Human Spaceflight programme, has been awarded a prestigious Royal Aeronautical Society Gold Award. Alan was given the accolade for outstanding work, which has led to substantial advances or contributions in specialist disciplines in the aerospace industry. Promoting space Former Director General of BNSC, Dr Colin Hicks, has been elected President of Eurisy a Paris-based body which seeks to raise awareness of the importance of space exploration and technology. Eurisy works to co-ordinate the efforts of all involved in space applications, both within Europe and beyond. www.eurisy.org Global space event The worlds foremost annual space gathering, the International Astronautical Congress, returns to Europe after last years highly successful event in Japan. IAC 2006 is being hosted by Spain in Valencia between 2 and 6 October with the theme bringing space closer to people. With 1400 papers, a student programme and seminars on many key issues, the event is expected to attract around 3,000 delegates. BNSC will be leading a strong UK presence at the associated trade exhibition. The IAC comes to the UK in 2008, with Glasgow as the host city, following last years successful bid by the British Interplanetary Society. Space scientist rewarded A leading space scientist has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society the UKs most distinguished scientific organisation. Mike Lockwood, a Professor at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, received the accolade for his studies on the Earths magnetic field and its interaction with the Sun. He said he was genuinely delighted and honoured at the news.
space:uk 07

www.bnsc.gov.uk

Predicting the unpredictable

Its a year since the devastating earthquake in Kashmir. space:uk discovers how satellites are being used to help forecast future disasters.
Over seventy thousand people dead, tens of thousands injured and three million left homeless. Cities, villages, schools and roads destroyed, powerlines and water supplies cut. The devastation caused by last years earthquake in Pakistan-administered Kashmir was terrible. Even those used to dealing with emergencies were overwhelmed by the scale of the emergency one senior United Nations official said it was the worst disaster hed ever seen. Many of those who lost their lives werent killed by the earthquake itself but by landslides whole mountainsides collapsed, roads were washed away, buildings flattened. To compound the problems facing rescue workers, the area was geographically (and politically) isolated and, it seemed, there were no proper plans in place to deal with the consequences of an earthquake. It was deeply shocking, says Dave Petley who travelled to Kashmir to see the situation for himself. The earthquake risk wasnt taken seriously because they hadnt had a large earthquake for 70 years, so there was no preparation whatsoever. Dave is the Director of the International Landslide Centre (ILC) which is supported by BNSC partner, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to study landslides
08 space:uk

and how the response to them can be improved. Most deaths from landslides occur in the developing world, the focus of Daves research. In Kashmir what he found particularly disturbing was that the buildings that fared worst were government-owned. Almost every government school in Kashmir collapsed, the university collapsed, buildings that youd expect to be earthquake-resistant fared very poorly. A team from the ILC first visited Kashmir in January three months after the earthquake. At the time the authorities considered the disaster over. We quickly identified that there were three major hazards, Dave recalls. His team found cracked slopes, refugee camps in dangerous areas and a large landslide blocking a valley. Only a fragile barrier of rubble was preventing a catastrophic flood. Satellite monitoring As well as ground-based observations, scientists are increasingly using satellites to spot areas at risk. Visual images from space, particularly over difficult terrain, can reveal unstable ground or hazardous slopes. The ILC employs radar-imaging satellites, using data taken from regular sweeps across the same area, to try to detect patterns of movement across a landslide. It also uses spacecraft to relay data from remote monitoring stations

Links http://comet.nerc.ac.uk COMET www.landslidecentre.org International Landslide Centre

www.bnsc.gov.uk
1 Main image The ancient city of Bam in Iran was devastated by a massive earthquake in 2003.
Credit: COMET

1,2. Radar images of the Bam area of Iran.

Credit: COMET

3,4. Its estimated that over 25,000 people died as a result of the Bam earthquake.
Credit: COMET

mounted on the ground. The aim is to try to spot trouble spots before its too late. Of all the natural hazards, landslides are the most predictable, says Dave. We now have techniques so measurements can be used to predict future movement. We can probably say whether the slopes going to fail and when its going to fail. Finding fault Predicting landslides is one thing but what about the earthquakes themselves? Barry Parsons, the Director of NERC Centre of Excellence, COMET the Centre for Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes and Tectonics

says theyre not in the business of prediction. Its not prediction, its forecasting a bit like weather forecasting, Barry says. You can get a picture of earthquakes in the past and look at how strains are building up in the earth to forecast when another earthquake is likely to take place. You cant make an exact prediction to a year, a month or certainly a day, says Barry, but you know its going to happen. And in the case of the Kashmir earthquake, although it might have found the authorities unprepared, it certainly didnt take the seismologists completely by surprise. We didnt know that fault was there, Barry admits, but its not a surprise that it occurred in that area. Following the earthquake, COMET scientists started working on efforts to locate the exact location of the fault that caused it. As well as looking at visual images of the area, they used radar data from ESAs Envisat spacecraft to map displacements of the ground. As a result they could locate the fault to within a few hundred metres. Although the process took several days, they hope that the increasing speed with which a fault can be identified may help in future disasters assisting the authorities to concentrate their emergency response.

continues >

Of all the natural hazards, landslides are the most predictable, we now have techniques so measurements can be used to predict future movement. We can probably say whether the slopes going to fail and when its going to fail.
Dave Petley, Director, International Landslide Centre (ILC)

space:uk 09

www.bnsc.gov.uk

Predicting the unpredictable continued

Keeping the roads open following the earthquake in Kashmir was a major challenge.
Credit: David Petley (International Landslide Centre)

Once you know where the fault is you can use the information to show where youre going to get landslides, says Barry. You can see the villages likely to be hit, which focuses the rescue efforts. Saving lives The Earths tectonic plates are constantly shifting and strains between them are building up. In many parts of the world earthquakes are inevitable, so the aim of a lot of seismic research is to prepare for them. Barry says seismologists have a simple mantra: Earthquakes dont kill, buildings falling down do. Its the consequences of earthquakes rather than the earthquakes themselves. This means, at the very least, you want schools, hospitals and other emergency facilities to survive intact. One of the countries most vulnerable to earthquakes is Iran. The country has suffered a number of devastating earthquakes in recent years, including the Bam quake in 2003 which killed around forty thousand people. On his computer screen, COMET researcher Tim Wright brings up an image of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Home to some 12 million people, the city is known to be on the edge of an earthquake zone. What people hadnt realised until COMET scientists started to examine satellite data was that the city had
10 space:uk

a geological fault running right through the middle. Not only that, it runs under the main hospital. You can spot subtle features from satellites that give you clues to the faults underneath, says Tim. We normally know about the really big faults but its surprising the number of earthquakes that occur on faults that we didnt know about. Improved knowledge of the fault system in Iran will hopefully save lives in the future. As part of a NERC funded programme, young scientists from the Geological Survey of Iran are being trained by COMET personnel in a range of hazard assessment techniques. In Kashmir too, UK scientists are working with people on the ground to help prevent future tragedies. David Petley of the ILC is heartened by the efforts of the Pakistani authorities. They have moved refugee camps and evacuated people from areas threatened by further landslides as a result of ILC advice. They have also started draining the lake which the ILC highlighted as a major hazard. I think weve contributed to saving a considerable number of lives, says Dave. The sort of work that were doing is making a significant difference to the people of Kashmir.

www.bnsc.gov.uk

X-ray vision
Main image An X-ray image of deep space.
Credit: Image courtesy of G. Hasinger, MPE Garching, Germany and ESA.

Europes largest scientific satellite, XMM-Newton, has had its mission extended until 2010. XMM-Newton is an orbiting X-ray telescope observing all kinds of astronomical objects from planets in our Solar System to the most distant quasars. Launched in 1999, it is considered one of ESAs most successful scientific missions. More than 1000 scientific papers have so far been published using data from the spacecraft. The UK has played a leading role in the design, construction and operation of XMM-Newton. space:uk spoke to astronomer Graziella Branduardi-Raymont from University College Londons Mullard Space Science Laboratory. Graziella is co-investigator for the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) instrument on the spacecraft. The RGS enables measurements to be made of the composition of the gas producing or absorbing the X-rays. Graziella has been involved in the mission since it was first conceived more than 15 years ago.

What has XMM Newton achieved? XMM-Newton is tackling a wide range of topics in astronomy, from cosmology to solar system science. It has given us a deeper understanding of the physical processes taking place in distant galaxies, stars and binary star systems in our own Galaxy, and planets and comets in our own solar system. How have you used the telescope? I have been studying the innermost regions of Active Galactic Nuclei, where super-massive black holes (with masses millions of times that of the Sun) pull together material from their surroundings and produce enormous amounts of energy in doing so. The material, while spiralling in towards the black hole, becomes very hot, hot enough to produce copious amounts of X-rays. By studying these we can learn a lot about the parameters of the black hole such as its mass and spin rate. Whats your reaction to the extension of the mission? Im obviously extremely pleased that the whole astronomical community will be able to exploit the significant investment made, especially by the UK, in this complex and ambitious mission for many years to come.

space:uk 11

www.bnsc.gov.uk

Space for the world

During Space Day, the Farnborough International Airshow hosted a unique gathering of the worlds space leaders to highlight international cooperation. The show also saw Europes latest Martian rover being put through its paces and the signing of an agreement between the UK and Algeria.

12 space:uk

www.bnsc.gov.uk

The room was packed to overflowing but for anyone with an interest in space, this was an exciting moment. Behind a long table on a stage at the end were most of the people responsible for the future of space exploration. Alongside the NASA Administrator, Mike Griffin, sat JeanJacques Dordain, the Director General of the European Space Agency, and Anatoly Perminov, the Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency. The UK was represented by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury and the new Director General of BNSC, David Williams. The panel was completed by Kaoru Mamiya, the Vice President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Azzedine Oussedik, the Director General of the Algerian Space Agency. Lord Sainsbury said he believed this was the first time so many space VIPs had come together on the same platform. Their presence clearly demonstrates the importance we all place on international collaboration in space, he said. Lord Sainsbury went on to detail the areas where the UK is cooperating with international partners from the latest US-led space science mission, Stereo, to the new Galileo satellite navigation system. Europe will also soon be working with Japan on a mission to Mercury. In the future, I am certain we will see an ever increasing opportunity for working together, as we face the many global challenges ahead, Lord Sainsbury said.

The other speakers all agreed that, particularly with the more ambitious projects, cooperation was essential. Both Europe and the United States are looking at new missions to Mars, with NASA in the early stages of planning a return to the Moon. Both Jean-Jacques Dordain and Mike Griffin suggested that much of this might be done in partnership. Space is already international, even for the United States, said Mike Griffin. The US has pledged to finish the International Space Station, but then what? The International Space Station makes no sense to do if there is nothing beyond it, he said. The United States will return to the Moon, we think we will do it better, we think it will be more rewarding for all, we think it will be an entirely grander enterprise if we can do it in the company of our International Space Station partners and our new partners yet to be added to the programme. Dominated by a large circular joint BNSC/ESA/ UKspace stand, the Space Pavilion also featured exhibition areas and demonstrations representing most of the major UK companies and organisations involved in space. Following the seminar, a short ceremony was held to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between BNSC and the Algerian Space Agency. The UK already works with Algeria on the Disaster Monitoring constellation of satellites; the new agreement raises the possibility of further collaboration between the two countries. continues >

Main image To boldly go...? A prototype robotic rover negotiates the simulated Mars terrain.
Credit: BNSC

1. Lord Sainsbury, the UKs Science Minister.

Credit: BNSC

2. Jean-Jacques Dordain, the Director General of the European Space Agency.

Credit: BNSC

3. Visitors to the joint BNSC/ ESA/UKspace stand.

Credit: BNSC

4. Science Minister Lord Sainsbury and Azzedine Oussedik, the Director General of the Algerian Space Agency, sign the Memorandum of Understanding between BNSC and the Algerian Space Agency.
Credit: BNSC

In the future, I am certain we will see an ever increasing opportunity for working together, as we face the many global challenges ahead
Lord Sainsbury, Science Minister

Links www.farnborough.com Farnborough International Airshow 2006 www.bnsc.gov.uk British National Space Centre www.esa.int The European Space Agency

space:uk 13

www.bnsc.gov.uk

Space for the world continued

Beautiful Bridget Drawing admiring glances, Bridget performed for the crowd. Her slim, almost skeletal, frame defying the rough surface of the pavilion and impressing the spectators with her stamina. With six wheels and a stalk for a head, Bridget is perhaps not everyones idea of beauty. And quite how this Martian rover demonstrator, came to be named Bridget is a somewhat convoluted story. It goes something like this: the rover is a way of testing new technology a Bread Board. Bread Board became abbreviated to BB, the same initials as Brigitte Bardot (the actress). Hence the name Bridget. We said it was convoluted. The rover, which is being built with the aid of PPARC funding, was featured in the last issue of space:uk. Since then it has undergone rigorous testing, including field trials in Tenerife (somebody has to do it). Were very pleased with it so far, says Lester Waugh, whos leading the EADS Astrium team thats developing Bridget. What has been really incredible is the amount of interest it has generated, says Lester, its been absolutely staggering, really fantastic.

Main image Kaoru Mamiya, Anatoly Perminov, Lord Sainsbury and Jean-Jacques Dordain admire the rover Bridget.
Credit: BNSC

Space in Cheltenham Bin bags, dry ice and drinks cans were used to bring space science to life at the Cheltenham Science Festival in June. The BNSC stand featured demonstrations and displays on missions the UK is involved with. Younger visitors were also encouraged to take part in a competition to design a spacecraft. The winners (who get family tickets to the National Space Centre in Leicester) were 9-year-old Jordan Barnes from Gloucestershire (1) and 6 14-year-old Evan Holt from Cheltenham (2). Here are their winning designs

14 space:uk

www.bnsc.gov.uk

In space no-one can hear you laugh...

Some time ago, a member of the space:uk team thought it would be a good idea to devote a page to space-related jokes. Lacking inspiration ourselves, we decided to appeal to our readers. So during the Farnborough International Airshow we asked visitors to the BNSC stand to submit jokes for a competition. The response was encouraging, although the quality was mixed, to say the least (you should see the ones we left out!). Below we print the winning joke and some of the runners up. The winner, 12-year-old Joel Salmon from London, receives a special heat-reactive BNSC mug. Well done Joel!

Q. What do you call an egg in a saucepan flying near the sun? A. An unidentified frying object!
Joel Salmon (12), London

Q. How many Martians does it take to change a light bulb? A. Who knows? They might not even exist! Q. Why did Saturn beep when it went through the metal detector? A. Because of all its rings! Q. Why was the party on the Moon rubbish? A. There was no atmosphere! Q. How do you get to Mars? A. Through the wrapper! Q. Why should you never starve in space? A. Because of the Milky Ways and Galaxys! Q. Why did Mickey Mouse go to space? A. To see Pluto! A man has decided to build a rocket to take him to the Sun. Remember to take precautions against the rocket burning up, advises the neighbour. Ive thought of that, replies the man. Im going at night!

Can you do any better? If so please send your examples to: bnscinfo@bnsc.gsi.gov.uk
space:uk 15

www.bnsc.gov.uk/learningzone

LEARNING ZONE

Satellites are helping us see the Earth as never before. As the climate Living in a greenhouse As the Suns energy hits the Earth, it is changes, scientists are using spacecraft to help predict the future. reflected back towards space. However, When the first human in space, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, looked down on our planet in 1961, he was astounded by its beauty. Am carrying out observations of the Earth, he reported to mission controllers on the ground. As humans increase the amounts of Visibility good. I can see the clouds, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse I can see everything. Its beautiful. gases in the atmosphere, this greenhouse Seeing the Earth from space has transformed our understanding of our small blue-green planet. Forty-five years on, the latest unmanned satellites can not only see the Earth, they can measure it: making observations of temperature or cloud cover, the height of the land or oceans. These Earth Observation satellites can watch the poles as ice melts, follow weather patterns or track pollution. We can also see the long-term effect humans are having on our planet, from the clearing of the rainforests to an annual rise in sea level. The average weather over a long period is known as the climate and at the top of the list of global concerns is how our climate is changing.
effect becomes stronger. More heat is trapped and the atmosphere warms up. This is known as global warming. Most people now agree that the Earth is heating up as a result of human activity. UK scientists have been leading efforts to monitor and predict how the climate is changing. some of this energy is trapped in the atmosphere by clouds or gases such as carbon dioxide. This natural process is called the greenhouse effect because the atmosphere acts like the walls of a greenhouse trapping heat.

Warming the blue planet

16 space:uk

www.bnsc.gov.uk/learningzone

Predicting the future Mark McCarthy is a climate researcher at the UK Met Offices Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research based in Exeter. He uses information from satellites to study the atmosphere. Climate change is a global process and in order to understand it, you need to have a global perspective. Mark says gathering evidence for climate change is a bit like investigating a crime scene. We look at the fingerprints of climate change, he says. This includes making measurements of global temperatures and the amount of heat leaving the Earth. Satellites are also providing information on rising sea levels.

Having helped convince people that global warming is real, scientists like Mark are using satellites to get a better understanding of how the world is changing. Satellites provide a powerful tool both for the prediction of climate change and improving our ability to predict future change, says Mark. The information from satellites is fed into powerful computers. The computers have programs which use past measurements to simulate the Earths atmosphere. As well as satellite data, these models also take into account other observations of the climate made over many years. The results of these computer models give researchers a pretty good idea of how the Earths climate works. It also enables them to plot the future effects of global warming. Changing weather The results of their predictions are alarming: changes in weather patterns, melting ice, rising sea levels and hotter temperatures in many parts of the world. For the UK, climate change means wetter winters and drier summers, less snow, and higher sea levels, leading to flooding of coastal areas. We can expect more extreme weather such as storms or droughts.

A recent government study also suggests we will lose many different types of plants and animals as the weather changes. The report predicted the loss of many species of plants, birds and butterflies from the UK. Even with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, unfortunately some of this is now unavoidable. Met Office climate scientist Peter Thorne has worked with governments around the world and says the computer models are becoming more and more accurate. Climate change is being taken increasingly seriously by politicians and certainly satellites have become more important in that debate. As Yuri Gagarin first saw, space exploration has opened our eyes to the beauty of the Earth. Now its up to all of us to keep it that way.
Main image The Earth from space.
Credit: AOES Medialab

space:uk 17

www.bnsc.gov.uk/learningzone

ASK THE EXPERTS

Our expert panel

If you have a question about space that needs answering then our experts are here to help.

Kevin Yates UK Near Earth Object Information Centre

What is the likelihood of the Earth being hit by an asteroid?

Sarah Perry, Exeter The Earth has been hit by asteroids many times in the past, and the consensus is that it will certainly be hit again in the future. So the likelihood is actually 100%! However, it is helpful to consider the timescales over which impacts occur and to relate this to the different sizes of asteroids that potentially threaten our planet. There are far fewer large objects orbiting the Sun than small ones, so collisions with large asteroids occur far less frequently. On average, a 10 kilometre wide object will hit Earth every one hundred million years. Although tiny by comparison with our planet, such a collision would destroy much of life on Earth. Slightly smaller objects of just one kilometre diameter impact every few hundred thousand years, but can still have global effects. Even smaller asteroids of around one hundred metres wide collide with Earth every few hundred years. It is estimated that between 30,000 and 50,000 very small chunks of space rock fall to Earth each year. Some of these meteorites are collected and studied so we can learn more about the origins of our Solar System. Kevin Yates

Professor Mike Hapgood CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Dr Zofia Stott Chair BNSCs Earth Observation Programme Board

Have you got a question about space? Send it to: space:uk BNSC, 151 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9SS or email: bnscinfo@bnsc.gsi.gov.uk All letters printed will win a heat-reactive BNSC mug.

On average, a ten kilometre wide object will hit Earth every one hundred million years.
Above An artists impression of the impact moment on the Don Quijote mission.
Credit: ESA

18 space:uk

www.bnsc.gov.uk/learningzone

What is the smallest object that can be seen on the ground by a satellite orbiting Earth?
Andrew Jones, Leamington Spa
2

The most dangerous aspect of space weather is a space storm.

What is space weather and how does it differ to Earth weather?

Gillian Lindsay, Edinburgh The regions of space around Earth are not empty. They contain electrically charged particles (e.g. electrons, protons and oxygen ions) and magnetic fields that control the movement of those particles. Space weather is concerned with changes in these particles and fields and their potential to damage or disrupt technologies both in space and on the ground. This damage can take many forms, e.g. disruptions to electronic systems on spacecraft, aircraft and even on the ground, damage to power grids, errors in satellite navigation and space radars. Space weather is like Earth weather in that it is concerned with changes on a timescale from minutes to days, but is different in that it deals with magnetic fields and charged particles rather than winds and rain. Like Earth weather, the most dangerous aspect of space weather is a severe storm that occurs once every decade or two. Professor Mike Hapgood

The size of objects seen by satellites orbiting the Earth is determined by the resolution of the imagery. A satellite image is made up of a large number of individual components called pixels. If a satellites resolution is stated as five metres this means that each pixel comes from an area five metres by five metres on the ground. While there are cases where objects smaller than five metres can be identified by such a satellite, the general rule of thumb is that objects smaller than the resolution of the satellite are not easily distinguishable. Current satellites provide data at resolutions ranging from 0.6 metres per pixel to one kilometre per pixel. So the smallest objects which can be seen on the ground by a satellite orbiting Earth are about 0.6 metres across. This very high resolution imagery is provided by the USAs Quickbird satellite. With this resolution, buildings, roads, vehicles, trees and even people are visible but the objects lack detail. Better resolution is coming soon. Both Digital Globe, which makes the Quickbird satellites and Geoeye, another US company plan to provide 0.4 metre resolution imagery soon. www.digitalglobe.com Dr Zofia Stott

1. The ESA cluster spacecraft are helping us to understand how the Sun can affect the Earths space environment.
Credit: ESA

2. The Dartford Crossing.

Credit: QinetiQ

3. A satellite image of Farnborough Airshow taken by TopSat.

Credit: QinetiQ

space:uk 19

www.bnsc.gov.uk/learningzone

RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

Careers in space
Credit: T.A. Rector, I.P. DellAntonio, NOAO, AURA, NSF

Learning Zone Diary

World Space Week 410 October 2006, worldwide www.spaceweek.org UKSEDS annual conference and career fair (UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space) 1012 November 2006, Leicester www.uk.seds.org The Association for Science Education conference 4 6 January 2007, Birmingham www.ase.org.uk National Science and Engineering Week 918 March 2007, nationwide www.the-ba.net The Education Show 22 24 March 2007, Birmingham www.education-show.co.uk

The BNSC Learning Zone website is packed with lesson plans and worksheets tailored to the National Curriculum. The easy-to-download resources are a great way to get your class interested and excited about space.
A full Moon surrounded by stars.

Space Cadets Aimed at Key Stage 1. Discover more about light and dark, learn about plants and animals and help prepare for a space mission.

Space Explorers Tailored to Key Stage 2 and 3. Take a journey round the Solar System and stop off at the planets with lessons, games and quizzes.

Advanced Explorers Aimed at Key Stage 4. Explore the origins of the Universe and find out more about the world we live in. To download these free BNSC resources, visit www.bnsc.gov.uk/learningzone

A careers fair, aimed at encouraging young people into science, technology, engineering and maths based professions, is being held on 10 November at the National Space Centre in Leicester. The careers fair is a joint venture between UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS), a volunteer youth organisation to promote space and related activities to a wider audience, and the National Space Centre. The event runs alongside the UKSEDS conference which is being held between 1012 November. The theme of this years conference is Back to the Moon and conference participants will have full access to the National Space Centre exhibition as well as the opportunity to attend presentations and workshops.

The careers fair is free and available to Key Stage 3 and 4, college and vocational students. Industry and academia will be present for both the careers fair and conference, supporting efforts to enthuse and encourage young people into science. To book, register at www.uk.seds.org/conference Or call the National Space Centre 0116 261 0261 (Option 2) School groups should contact the National Space Centre directly. If youre interested in helping with sponsorship for the events please contact: Ed Bean on conference@uk.seds.org or Gareth James on garethj@spacecentre.co.uk

20 space:uk

CAREER FILE

www.bnsc.gov.uk

Alien Activity in Bradford Schools

For the launch of Enterprise Week (1319 November), Bradford school children are being invited to create an amazing alien as part of SpaceCity, which aims to raise the profile of space enterprise and education within the district. Winners will be linked to the International Space Station to speak to the astronauts onboard. The event is masterminded by business support experts Velocity and their partners. For further details visit www.velocitybradford.com

Have you got the right stuff to work in the space industry? In each issue of space:uk we talk to someone who has a career in the space sector.
Dr Maggie Aderin Project Manager at Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.

Science for Brownies

From October, thousands of girls will be able to discover science through a series of fun experiments and games on the new Brownies website. The series, funded by the Institute of Physics and developed with Ecsite-uk, aims to introduce girls aged seven to ten to the wonders of the physical sciences. www.girlguiding.org.uk/brownies

Why did you choose a space related career? I got the space bug as a child. I was in the library when I was about seven years old and I saw a beautiful book on space science with amazing pictures. With this and lots of science fiction reading, I was hooked. What did you study? At A Level I studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths. This was hard work but well worth it. I then went to Imperial College London and did my first degree in Physics. I studied Physics because it truly is the study of everything and for an inquisitive person like me you cant get better than that. I then did a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.

What does your job involve? I manage a team of people making spacecraft instruments. We design, manufacture, assemble and test the instruments to ensure they meet the technical and budget requirements and survive their launch and life in space. What are the highlights of your work? Seeing instruments transformed from concepts at the start of projects to tested, fully functioning pieces of hardware at the end, and all the challenges and problem solving that is needed to get from one state to the other.

What advice would you give somebody considering a career Tell us about the mission you in space science? are working on? Do it. A career in space science I am working on two missions at can be so rewarding and exciting. the moment. As well as developing Through my work to date I have instruments for a new space travelled to some brilliant places telescope (the James Webb Space and worked with amazing people. Telescope), I am conducting a study for the ESA EarthCARE programme which looks at the role of clouds in climate regulation. Why is EarthCARE important? The EarthCARE observations will lead to more reliable climate predictions enabling us to get a better understanding of one of the most challenging problems that is faced by our planet today.

guide
SPACE TRAVELLERS GUIDE TO THE SOLAR SYSTEM
7. MARS
Mars is named after the Roman god of war, its colour having an association with blood. The orange-red appearance results from soil rich in iron oxide (more commonly known as rust). Mars is the most Earth-like planet in the Solar System and can easily be seen with the naked eye when its orbit brings it close to Earth every 26 months. Although relatively small its radius is about half that of the Earths Mars boasts scenery on a massive scale. Running roughly along the equator, is an enormous set of canyons called the Valles Marineris. This split in the Martian crust is around 4000km long, up to 600km wide and 7km deep in places. Mars has the highest volcano in the solar system: Olympus Mons which stands at 26 km above the surrounding plain. Mount Everest is only one third as high. The Martian environment is far from hospitable. The thin atmosphere is made up mostly of carbon dioxide. The temperature can drop as low as -133C although in the Martian summer its more typically around 25C. The surface can be extremely stormy with winds reaching speeds of up to 350km per hour.
Mars Express new discoveries Since arriving at the Red Planet in December 2003, the European Mars Express mission has sent back scientific data of unprecedented quality. Instruments are searching for water, and measuring climate, volcanic, magnetic and geological activity. Mars Express is operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) with significant UK involvement in its design, operation and science. Mars Express has found evidence of glacial and volcanic activity in the relatively recent past. There has also been a tentative detection of tiny amounts of methane in the atmosphere. As the methane could only exist on Mars for a few hundred years before being broken down by radiation, its presence can only be explained if there is some process, perhaps biological, keeping it replenished. UK scientists have been at the forefront of efforts to investigate the interaction between the planet and the Solar wind the stream of charged particles coming from the Sun. These particles are eroding the Martian atmosphere and could be responsible for stripping away a large amount of the water that was once believed present. Auroras patterns of coloured light in the atmosphere, have also been discovered in the Martian sky but because Mars doesnt have a magnetic field, researchers have concluded that the auroras are created as a result of local magnetic fields generated in the planets crust. This makes them unique in the Solar System. The Mars Express mission is due to come to an end in October 2007.

Printed in the UK on recycled paper containing a minimum of 75% post consumer waste. First published October 2006. Department of Trade and Industry. Crown Copyright. DTI/Pub 8396/5k/09/06/NP URN 06/69C

Credit: ESA