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UCL space missions get the go-ahead
2 March 2011
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phys.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_self">UCL Physics and Astronomy
UCL space
scientists are involved in two out of four missions that have been selected by
the European Space Agency to compete for a launch opportunity at the start of
the 2020s.
EChO -
the Exoplanet Characterisation Observatory - will search for signs of life on planets which
are orbiting stars nearby our sun. Led by Dr Giovanna Tinetti, UCL Physics and
Astronomy, and supported by over 150 of Europe's astronomers, the mission
conisists of a 1.2 metre telescope designed to carry
out spectroscopy of the atmospheres of a range of extra solar planets, from giant
gas planets (similar to Jupiter in our own Solar System) down to terrestrial
planets in the habitable zone of some stars.
"This is tremendously exciting news," said Dr Tinetti. "One of the key aims of our mission is to see if we can detect molecules such as ozone and carbon dioxide in the atmospheres of planets not much bigger than our Earth. These molecules are key biomarkers - signs that life might be, or might have been, present."
Dr Tinetti has a strong record in exoplanet research. She led the team that made the first discovery of water in an exoplanet atmosphere, opening up a new era in understanding these alien worlds. EChO will try to and understand the chemical composition and thermal structure of these planets, through which scientists hope to unveil their physical processes, formation and evolution.
The second mission, LOFT - the Large Observatory For Timing - will study the fast-moving, high-energy environments that surround black holes, neutron stars and pulsars - objects that can produce sudden and very rapid bursts of X-rays. The UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory has a strong involvement in the science team (Dr Silvia Zane and Dr Roberto Mignani) as well as the engineering team of the mission.
LOFT will carry two instruments, the Large Area Detector
(LAD) and the Wide Field Monitor (WFM), to be operated in parallel and search
for fast X-ray variability. The MSSL engineering group will be key in
developing the design of of the on-board
electronics, including the payload data handling units, the instrument control
units, the flight digital electronics and the power supply units on board the
spacecraft. Other contributions of MSSL include technical support in the spacecraft
design and in the construction of the micro-channel plate detectors of the
Large Area Detector (LAD), the main instrument aboard LOFT.
"This mission has terrific potential," said Dr Zane. "We are really looking forward to the possibility of flying an X-ray instrument capable of performing such high time resolution observations. This is a very ambitious goal that will open a new window on our understanding of the strongest gravitational fields in the Universe."
Both spacecraft were sected from nearly 50 mission proposals made to the European Space Agency. "We had to overcome really tough competition to get selected for further study and possible launch," said Dr Tinetti.
Image: This illustration depicts the extrasolar planet HD 189733b with its parent star peeking above its top edge. Image credit: NASA/ESA
UCL context
The Physics and Astronomy Department at UCL is
located in the heart of the historical area of Bloomsbury. Scientific
research and study has been a strong feature of UCL since its inception
in 1826 and the Department is currently one of the top rank Physics
departments in the country, and indeed the world.
The
UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory delivers a cutting-edge science programme,
underpinned by a capability in space science instrumentation, systems
engineering and project management. Its staff are committed to a broad outreach
programme and are very happy to receive enquiries from the public and fellow
space science professionals alike.
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