The definition of the SAFARI Instrument on the European satellite SPICA

The European Space Agency is kick-starting the study phase for a satellite named SPICA (in collaboration with Japan) which brings together many European institutes working on both science (astrophysics and cosmology) and instrumentation. During this activity it is expected that scientists interested in the relevant science will contribute to the definition of the instrument's capabilities and improve the chances of mission selection (as it is one of three competitors for an early 2030s launch slot).
 
While there are many science working groups scattered across the cities of the European Consortium involved as well as other institutions 
in charge of providing specific instrument preliminary designs, UCL and two universities in Rome share a cross-science task to investigate the impact of some of the instrument design features on the science. 
 
My project will allow experts in far-infrared spectrometers and optics from UCL, University of Rome "La Sapienza" and the IAPS in Tor Vergata to converge on key design details to improve the scientific case of this mission and strengthen the London-Rome scientific collaboration on this future ESA mission.

Area

Astronomy

UCL leads

• Dr Giorgio Savini, UCL Department of Physics and Astronomy