MSSL PPARC Rolling Grant Proposal
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Abstract
MSSL's PPARC rolling grant supports world-class research in astrophysics and solar system science. Investigators at MSSL are leading programmes to investigate the Earth's magnetosphere, explore the planets, understand the Sun and probe the furthest reaches of the universe. Our academic staffs are involved with the development, design, build, operations and data analysis aspects of space missions. We have hands-on involvement during the lifetime of missions that spans conception to operations. These include an impressive array of missions that are currently operational: Cassini, Cluster, Double Star, Mars Express, Coronas-F, SOHO, Swift, Venus Express and XMM-Newton. In the next grant period Solar-B and Herschel will be launched. We have had hardware involvement in all these missions, and are PI on 5. The drive for this involvement is the cutting edge science that can be achieved from these missions. We are also immersed in the development of future missions including ExoMars, Gaia, KuaFu, Xeus, LISA, and Solar Orbiter. New technologies such as cryogenic coolers for future X-ray missions, instrument miniaturisation for solar system exploration and micropenetrators to explore planets such as Mars and Venus are being developed.
Organisations
Publications
Carrera F
(2007)
The XMM-Newton serendipitous survey III. The AXIS X-ray source counts and angular clustering
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Barcons X
(2007)
The XMM-Newton serendipitous survey IV. Optical identification of the XMM-Newton medium sensitivity survey (XMS)
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Watson M
(2008)
The XMM-Newton serendipitous survey V. The Second XMM-Newton serendipitous source catalogue
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ebrero J
(2008)
The XMM-Newton serendipitous survey VI. The X-ray luminosity function
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Page M
(2007)
The XMM-SSC survey of hard-spectrum XMM-Newton sources - I. Optically bright sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bartlett J
(2010)
Thermal characterisation of a tungsten magnetoresistive heat switch
in Cryogenics
Arridge C
(2008)
Thermal electron periodicities at 20 R S in Saturn's magnetosphere
in Geophysical Research Letters
Kellett S
(2009)
Thickness of Saturn's ring current determined from north-south Cassini passes through the current layer
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Pasetto S
(2009)
Tidal effects on the spatial structure of the Local Group
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Makarevich R
(2009)
Time evolution of the subauroral electric fields: A case study during a sequence of two substorms
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics