Letters of Intent received in 2022
LoI 2024-2178
Cubesats and small probes for astronomy and lunar exploration
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Date:
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5 August 2024 to 6 August 2024 |
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Category:
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GA Focus meeting
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Location:
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CAPE TOWN - IAU GENERAL ASSEMBLY, South Africa
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Contact:
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Ana Ines Gomez de Castro (AIG@UCM.ES) |
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Coordinating division:
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Division B Facilities, Technologies and Data Science |
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Other divisions:
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Division B Facilities, Technologies and Data Science
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Co-Chairs of SOC:
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ANA I GOMEZ DE CASTRO (UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID) |
| BERNARD FOING (LEIDEN UNIVERSITY) |
| CORALIE NEINER (OBSERVATOIRE PARIS-MEUDON) |
| Noah Brosch (Tel Aviv University) |
| Kevin France (University of Colorado) |
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Co-Chairs of LOC:
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Shingo Kameda (University of Rykio) |
| Miguel Chavez (INAOE) |
Topics
Space Astronomy from small platforms
Instrumentation for space astronomy
Astronomical data bases
Astronomical data processing
Lunar exploration
Instrumentation for the Moon
Cubesat technology
Rationale
The revolution in space technology has brought forward ample opportunities for astronomers to use small space probes for astronomical observation. The number of astronomical cubesats has increased exponentially in the last decade. They are used to run small dedicated experiments and prove novel technologies for larger missions. These small observatories cover all possible observing modes and energy ranges but they share similar challenges that derive from the size of the probes and the cubesat technology (power constraints, attitude control, downlink data rate among others). This meeting is thought as a forum for astronomers working and developing small space probes to share information. It is also set to assist global coordination especially, in terms of the output scientific products.
In addition to the cubesat revolution, there is a starting Lunar revolution. The ambitious lunar programs set by all the Space Agencies (and also by private actors) will create unique opportunities for astronomers world-wide to set instrumentation on Lunar orbit, or on the surface. This FM is also thought as a meeting point for the astronomers interested in participating in the coming opportunities for Lunar based astronomy and the development of small instruments to investigate the Moon or run astrobiological experiments on its surface.
The end objective of this Focus Meeting is to provide information about the current status of the instrumentation and flight opportunities from a global perspective and assist the coordination of the interested actors.