Radiation damage in the Gaia focal plane: in-orbit data, charge-transfer simulations, and the impact on the astronomy achievable

Lead Research Organisation: The Open University
Department Name: Faculty of Sci, Tech, Eng & Maths (STEM)

Abstract

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Publications

10 25 50

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
ST/R00563X/1 01/02/2019 31/01/2023
2285460 Studentship ST/R00563X/1 01/02/2019 31/10/2022 Saad Ahmed
 
Description A better understanding of the factors affecting the data in the CCD devices of the Gaia spacecraft has been obtained.
The amount of radiation damage in the Gaia CCDs as well as the possible sources of damage has been quantified.
The effect on the science data for the Gaia mission and for future missions can be inferred and better preparations can be made for the future.
Exploitation Route The outcomes can be used for further investigations on similar research and different space missions. This can involve and lead to collaborations with other industry partners and international space agencies.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Electronics

Environment

Transport

 
Description CASE funded studentship with Teledyne e2v 
Organisation Teledyne Technologies International Corp
Department Teledyne e2v
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution I've been presenting all my results and future plans to Teledyne e2v.
Collaborator Contribution Through regular contact with my industrial partners at Teledyne e2v, I've been able to get information and feedback about the work and research I've been doing in my studentship, particular with regards to the detectors I have been working with,
Impact Extra knowledge and understanding of the core essentials of my research. Information which has led to results in my publications.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Network Partnering Iniative with ESA 
Organisation European Space Agency
Department European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC)
Country Spain 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution My project has a contracted research collaboration with the European Space Agency under their "ESA innovation ideas" scheme. I was able to analyse data provided by the European Space Agency and provide new, publically available results. I will be undertaking more data analysis for ESA if time permits.
Collaborator Contribution My partners at the European Space Agency were able to let me visit the ESA premises and tell me about all the data and facilities available that are relevant to my project. They were also able to provide me with in-flight data that I was able to analyse, investigate and publish results from as part of my project.
Impact I published a conference proceeding based on the results of the analysis I performed with the data provided. A future publication into a peer-reviewed journal is in progress.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Annual Technology Exchange day with Industry partner 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The research memebers of my research group as well as industry partners from our research group's partner organisation, Teledyne e2v, all gave talks and presentations about the work and research everyone was undertaking. This was to exchange new information and results between the two organisations.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
 
Description Annual University Department research talks 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact I gave presentations to the research and admininstrative staff as well as other postgraduate research students at my university. These presentations were about the research I have been doing as well as its relation to other developments in the field.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020,2021
 
Description Talks to visiting industry partners 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Researchers in our research group would present results and findings to visiting individuals from our research group's industrial partner, Teledyne e2v. This was to disseminate results and findings to the organisation and other members of the group.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020,2021