A Discussion Meeting on “Science and Applications of the space environment: New Results and Interdisciplinary Connections” at the Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1 5AG 16-18 October 2001

Members of the press are invited to attend the meeting free of charge, though advance registration (to rer@mssl.ucl.ac.uk) would be appreciated.

THE PROGRAMME

Studies of the space environment cover many aspects of science, applications and engineering, including exciting areas that are currently generating intense interest for the media and the general public.

The main themes of the meeting are: Earth and planetary environments, the Sun’s influence on the Earth, hazards for Earth in space and spacecraft technology. There is also a presentation about space debris, dust and near-Earth objects.

Associated with this Discussion Meeting, the Foundation for Science and Technology is organising a meeting on “Using space for the public good”.

“There has been too little communication between the different disciplines of space science, between those who ‘look up’ and those who ‘look down’, yet their techniques and concepts are similar,” said Professor Julian Hunt, one of the organisers of the meeting. “We hope the conference helps overcome the institutional, and funding barriers to these collaborations.”

The meeting format will consist of invited talks for key topics, with poster presentation sessions (including short plenary presentations) and panel discussions to encourage wide participation.

The main topics of the meeting will be:

16 OCTOBER, 14:00 – 18:00.
Observation of the Earth and other planets: climate change, ocean and sea bed studies, land use monitoring, Earth’s atmosphere, lessons from other planets

17 OCTOBER 09:30 – 12:40
The Sun-Earth connection and the space environment: understanding the Sun, impacts on the near-Earth environment, the magnetosphere, Sun and climate, space weather.

17 OCTOBER 14:00 – 17:30
Hazard warning and forecasting for Earth and space: magnetic storms and severe weather forecasting, volcanoes, hydrology, air pollution.

18 OCTOBER O9:30 – 15:20 (INCLUDING LUNCH BREAK)
Space debris, dust and near-Earth objects.
Space and spacecraft technologies: communications, navigation, cryogenics in space, advanced spacecraft technologies, technology benefits for science and applications, software, formation flying, miniaturisation, the enabling role of satellites.

The full programme can be seen at:

http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/www_seminar/roy.html

Contact:

Dr Andrew Coates
Mullard Space Science Laboratory
+44 (0)1483-204145/274111
ajc@mssl.ucl.ac.uk

Notes for Editors

Issued by:

Peter Bond,
RAS Press Officer (Space Science).
10 Harrier Close,
Cranleigh,
Surrey, GU6 7BS,
United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)1483-268672
Fax: +44 (0)1483-274047
E-mail: 100604.1111@compuserve.com

The conference is organised by Professor Julian Hunt of University College London and Professor Len Culhane of University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory, assisted by Dr. Andrew Coates (also of MSSL-UCL).

The meeting is sponsored by Astrium, the British Antarctic Survey, the British National Space Centre, the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils, Eumetsat, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and QinetiQ (formerly the Defence Evaluation Research Agency).

CONTACTS:

Dr Andrew Coates
Mullard Space Science Laboratory/University College London
Holmbury St. Mary      
Dorking,
Surrey,
RH5 6NT,
UK      
Tel: +44 (0)1483-204145/274111            
Fax: +44 (0)1483-278312
E-mail: ajc@mssl.ucl.ac.uk

Professor Len Culhane,
Mullard Space Science Laboratory/University College London
(same address)
Tel: +44 (0)1483-274111
E-mail: jlc@mssl.ucl.ac.uk

Professor Julian Hunt
Department of Space & Climate Physics,
University College London
Gower Street
London
WC1E 6BT
UK
Tel: +44 (0)20-7679-7743
E- mail: jcrh@ucl.ac.uk

Related links

www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/www_seminar/roy.html