pLenary TALKS

Monday 12^th May 14:00-14:30

BIOMASS: ESA’s P-band Radar Mission

Michael Fehringer (ESA)

Biography:

PhD in physics, Technical University Vienna
research fellow in the ESA science directorate 87-89

Austrian Research Centre Seibersdorf, 1989 – 2000, h/w development for science missions, Cluster, Rosetta, electric propulsion research
2000 – today, ESA staff, EO Directorate, GOCE Project (system engineer and system manager) since 2014 Biomass project Manager

Austrian citizen, married, two adult children

Abstract:

ESA’s P-band radar mission Biomass

ESA’s forest mission, Biomass, delivers completely new information on how much carbon is stored in the Earth’ forests and how this stock evolves over time. It is the first satellite to carry a fully polarimetric P-band synthetic aperture radar capable of interferometric imaging. Thanks to the long wavelength of P-band, the radar signal can slice through the whole forest layer to deliver information about its structure. This will lead to a better understanding of the state of Earth’s forests, how they are changing and advance our knowledge of the carbon cycle. Quantifying the global carbon cycle is essential to understanding its implications on our climate.

The mission will be presented with a focus on the unique and newly developed P-band SAR and the challenges encountered during its development.

Monday 12^th May 14:30-15:00

IRIS² – The New EU Programme for Secure Communications Via Satellites

Piero Angeletti (ESA)

Biography:

Piero Angeletti received the Laurea degree in Electronics Engineering (summa cum laude) from the University of Ancona (Italy) in 1996, and the Ph.D. in Electromagnetism from the University of Rome "La Sapienza'' (Italy) in 2010.
Since 2004 he is with the European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC) of the European Space Agency (ESA), in Noordwijk (The Netherlands). He has been recently appointed Head of the Secure Connectivity Space Segment Office, with responsibility for the ESA design, development and deployment activities related to IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) multi-constellations space segment.
His 25+ years’ experience in RF Systems engineering and technical management encompasses conceptual/architectural design, trade-offs, detailed design, production, integration and testing of satellite payloads and active antenna systems for commercial/military telecommunications and navigation (spanning all the operating bands and set of applications) as well as for multifunction RADARs and electronic counter measure systems. This has been acquired through direct industrial experience in several aerospace companies (i.e. Agusta-Westland, Thales Alenia Space, Boeing, Elettronica, Airbus Defence & Space) in different job roles (research and development, innovation, production, procurement, integration) and matured in the privileged position at the ESA, at the crossroad of all major European developments.

Abstract:

Secure communications are essential for modern society and our economy. In a geopolitical context of growing uncertainty, with increasing cyberattacks and disasters, ensuring resilient secure communications infrastructure is strategically important. Recognizing this, the European Union established the Union Secure Connectivity Programme (Regulation (EU) 2023/588) to leverage space-based solutions as a complement to terrestrial networks, offering increased resilience and coverage. ESA contributes to this through its “ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity.” The concession contract for the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) was signed by the EC and ESA on 16 December 2024. IRIS², the EU’s third flagship, will enhance governmental connectivity through a multi-orbital constellation combining MEO and LEO. A Low-Low Earth Orbit (L-LEO) shell below 750km will serve as a pilot infrastructure for governmental and commercial payloads. The talk will provide information on IRIS² and its RF/microwave related challenges.

Friday 16^th May 11:30-12:00

Arctic Weather Satellite - In-Flight Lesson Learned and Early Performance Results

Daniele Gherardi (ESA)

Arctic Weather Satellite - In-Flight Lesson Learned and Early performance results

Daniele Gherardi (ESA)

Biography:

Laurea and Master degree in Electrical & Computer Science Engineering from the University of Bologna (Italy)
2000 – 2012 Guidance, Navigation and Attitude Control systems engineer in European industries: Thales Alenia Space (Italy), Airbus Defense and Space (UK) and Sener (Spain)
2012 join as ESA staff in Guidance, Navigation and Control and Attitude Control division and JUICE Project team in ESTEC.
2021 – today ESA EO Directorate, Arctic Weather Satellite System Manager

Abstract:

The Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) is a micro-satellite equipped with a 19-channel cross-track scanning microwave radiometer, which provides humidity and temperature sounding of the atmosphere.

The development of the protoflight Model (PFM) of the Satellite was kicked off and implementation within three years and for a fraction of the cost of a traditional microwave radiometer mission. The mission has already demonstrated that the New Space approach of building quickly and at low cost could be applied to a future EUMETSAT EPS-Sterna constellation of satellites based on the AWS platform and payload design. EPS-Sterna aims to enhance Earth's nowcasting and numerical weather prediction capabilities by greatly improve temporal coverage globally and in particular on the artic region.

Early evaluators data assessment is currently on-going to confirm system, payload and processors performance, data quality, data timeliness etc. Although it’s early days, their feedback is extremely positive.

This presentation will illustrate the lessons learned and performance demonstrated in both in orbit commissioning and early operational phases.

Friday 16^th May 12:00-12:30

Rydberg Atom-Based Sensors

Dr. James P. Shaffer

Senior Technical Fellow - Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories

Chief Technology Officer - WaveRyde Instruments

Biography:

James Shaffer pioneered Rydberg atom-based sensing of RF electric fields. He leads the quantum sensing group at Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories and serves as the Chief Technology Officer at WaveRyde Instruments. Shaffer received is B.S. in physics from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign and a Ph.D. in optics from Rochester. Afterwards, he was a visiting fellow at the Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences at the National Research Council in Ottawa, Canada. Before joining Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories, Shaffer was the Homer L. Dodge Professor of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics at the University of Oklahoma. Shaffer has expertise in atomic physics, quantum optics, radio frequency technology, laser science, MEMs fabrication, surface science and control systems development as well as project management and commercialization of advanced technologies. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society and the Alexander von Humboldt Society. Shaffer has published over 80 peer reviewed journal papers and has been granted patents consisting of over 50 patent families.

Abstract:

We have shown that Rydberg atoms can be used for high-sensitivity, absolute sensing of high frequency electric fields, ranging from MHz to THz. In this talk, we will provide an overview of this exciting technology with an emphasis on space applications. These sensors can offer unique advantages like self-calibration, extraordinary carrier bandwidth, read-out at baseband, electromagnetic transparency, and low SWaP. We will highlight a novel read-out method based on three-photons that increases sensitivity and the engineering of vapor cells to tailor them to specific applications.