Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research

A Peer Review of Danish Space Research Evaluation of the Danish Contributions This publication may be obtained free of to Space Research charge as long as copies are available. A Peer Review of Danish Space Research Please contact: August 2008 Schultz Distribution Herstedvang 4 Published by: 2620 Albertslund Danish Agency for Science Technology and Innovation Telefon: 43 63 23 00 Bredgade 40 Telefax: 43 63 19 69 DK-1260 Copenhagen K Hjemmeside: http://www.schultz.dk Tel: +45 3544 6200 E-post: [email protected] Fax: +45 3544 6201 The publication can also be downloaded from: Photocredit frontpage: http://www.fi.dk • Envisat MERIS image of Denmark, 2nd of July 2008. ISBN (internet): 978-87-923-7206-2 Credit ESA. • The European satellite navigation system Galileo. Printed by: Datagraf AS Credit ESA - J. Huart. Impression: • The Planck satellite prepared for testing. Credit ESA. ISBN: 978-87-923-7205-5 • The “Bullet Cluster” of galaxies as seen in visible light, overlaid with X-ray emission, and the distribution of dark matter. Credit: X-ray: NASA/ CXC/CfA/M.Markevitch et al., Optical: NASA/STScI; Magellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al.; Lensing Map: NASA/STScI; ESO WFI; Magellan/U.Arizona/ D.Clowe et al. Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research

A Peer Review of Danish Space Research

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 3 4 PREFACE

Today the origin of life, the question of dark matter, exploration of the Universe, remote sensing of climate and weather changes on Earth and medical research in weightlessness all have a common denominator: space and space research!

The society of today has grown more and more dependent on space services and therefore also research in space based sciences and applications. Telecommunications and modern navigation by satellites are now such an incorporated part of our infrastructure and daily life that we no longer think of it as unusual or special.

That makes research in these areas even more important for our community, not only in the scientific understanding of the Universe, but also for our future industrial capacities in this industrial high-tech sector.

Denmark finds it important to be on the front edge of basic sciences and R&D in high-tech industries, and space research is a vital part of achieving that goal.

In order to focus Danish involvement in space related activities at universities and industry, the Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation initiated an evaluation of the overall Danish space activities. This report, covering Danish space research, was initiated in early 2008 and is authored by an international peer review panel. The report will be an important input to the further political process regarding Denmark’s space activities and space research.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Panel and especially the chair, Professor Kathy Whaler from the University of Edinburgh. Also warm thanks to all the institutions conducting space research in Denmark who willingly participated in the evaluation under a lot of time constraints.

Inge Mærkedahl Director

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 5 Contents

FOREWORD 8

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9

1 INTRODUCTION 12 1.1 Terms of Reference 12 1.2 Input Data 13 1.3 Caveat 14 1.4 Acknowledgements 14

2 GENERAL SITUATION IN DENMARK 15 2.1 Research Diversity and Focus 16 2.2 Decision Making Process 17 2.2.1 Danish Space Cons ortium 17 2.2.2 Danish Space Industry Cluster 18 2.3 Research Funding Structures 19 2.4 Reorganisation of Research Structure 20 2.4.1 DTU-Space 20 2.4.2 Risø-DTU 21

3 SPACE ACTIVITIES IN DENMARK 22 3.1 Space Research Activities 22 3.1.1 Earth Observation 22 3.1.2 Communications, Navigation, Geodynamics and Geodesy 23 3.1.3 Research under space conditions 24 3.1.4 Exploration (Aurora) 25 3.1.5 Astronomy 26 3.1.6 Space Technology 27 3.1.7 Space Transport (Launchers) 28 3.2 Industrial Activities 29 3.2.1 Spin-off from space activity 32 3.2.2 Existing cooperation with research centres 33

4 Analysis and Conclusions 33 4.1 Highlights of Danish Space Research 34 4.2 Weaknesses of Danish Space Research 35 4.3 Funding 36 4.4 Recent Reorganisation 37

6 4.5 Danish Space Consortium 38 4.6 Human Potential 38 4.6.1 Young Researchers 38 4.6.2 Women in Space Science 39 4.7 Education 39 4.8 International Involvement and Collaboration 40 4.9 Industrial Cooperation with ESA 41

5 Recommendations 42 5.1 Recommendations for Danish Space Research 42 5.2 Recommendations for the Danish Space Effort 44

A APPENDICES 46 A.1 Individual Reports for the Research Institutions Visited 46 A.1.1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen 47 A.1.2 Aalborg University Space Centre (AUSC) 50 A.1.3 Danish GPS Centre (DGC) 53 A.1.4 Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Aarhus 56 A.1.5 Mars Simulation Laboratory, University of Aarhus 59 A.1.6 Elektro-DTU 62 A.1.7 Department of Geography and Geology, University of Copenhagen 65 A.1.8 Department of Environmental, Social and Spatial Change, University of Roskilde 68 A.1.9 Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Niels Bohr Institute 71 A.1.10 Dark Cosmology Centre 74 A.1.11 Stars and Galaxies Group, Niels Bohr Institute 77 A.1.12 DTU-Space 79 A.1.13 Risø-DTU 85 A.1.14 Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) 88 A.1.15 Summary of the Scores for the Research Groups 91 A.2 Data Supporting the Review 92 A.3 Principles for Site Visits 92 A.4 The Review Fortnight 92 A.5 The Panel 94

B Acronyms 96

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 7 FOREWORD

This evaluation was initiated by the The Terms of Reference and method- Danish Agency for Science, TechThis ology for the review were prepared by This evaluation was initiated by the the Danish Agency for Science, Tech- Danish Agency for Science, Tech- nology and Innovation. The international nology and Innovation with the aim of review Panel was also appointed by this identifying priorities for the future of Agency in consultation with the Danish Denmark’s space activities, following Natural Science Research Council and an assessment of both Danish space the Danish Research Council for Tech- research and Danish industrial coopera- nology and Production sciences. The tion with ESA. The review of Danish composition of the Panel was determined space research was carried out by an with the intention that members come international Panel, whose members were from countries known to be leaders in asked to assess the quality and relevance space research and industrial coopera- of Danish activities on the basis of inter- tion, and so as to ensure that sub-fields national standards and to present recom- of space science were covered as fully as mendations for strengthening the Danish possible. The Panel comprised: effort. The review period was defined as a 10 year interval from 1997 until 2006. Prof. Günter Hein, The Panel members were also asked to University FAF Munich, Germany make recommendations for the future of the overall Danish space effort based Prof. Jens Jordan, on both their findings from the research Hanover Medical School, Germany evaluation and a report describing Danish industrial activities in ESA. Dr. Lennart Nordh, Swedish National Space Board, Sweden The Terms of Reference of the evaluation were: to assess the quality of Danish Prof. José A. Sobrino, space research with a view to defining University of Valencia, Spain Denmark’s strengths in relation to international research in this area (and related Prof. Nicolas Thomas, areas); to assess the scope and impact of University of Berne, Switzerland industry cooperation (ESA), including its significance for the development of new Prof. Kathryn Whaler, technology and innovation, as well as its University of Edinburgh, UK (Chair) economic impact and to make recommendations concerning forward-looking Dr. Caroline Francis (Review Secretary) prioritisation of the Danish effort and prepare guidelines for Danish action Further information about the Panel areas in the short and long term. members can be found in Appendix A.5.

8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Space research is a vast and complex HIGHLIGHTS OF DANISH SPACE subject encompassing, amongst other RESEARCH topics, fundamental questions such as the origin of life, investigations into the • Particularly high quality research is nature of the Universe, remote sensing of being carried out almost uniformly the Earth and advanced developments in within the fields of Space Medicine navigation and communications tech- and Astronomy and in relation to Mars. nology. In recent years, space observa- Some aspects of Earth Observation tions have become more and more impor- research are also very good, particu- tant for a range of scientific and societal larly those related to GPS occultations activities and this trend is only expected and Geomagnetism. to continue. • Some Danish groups have successful The Danish Agency for Science, Tech- involvement with space missions. nology and Innovation asked an interna- Within the field of Earth Observation, tional review Panel to perform an evalua- DTU-Space is significantly involved tion of the Danish space effort to provide with SWARM, ASIM and SMOS the basis for a Danish space strategy. In and DMI is a European leader in the particular, the Panel was asked to assess modelling of microwave signatures the quality of Danish space research with from snow and ice. Within Astronomy, a view to defining Denmark’s strengths DTU-Space is PI for the Planck mirror in relation to international research in system and has solid experience in this area and to make recommendations X-ray technology. Danish teams have for the future of the Danish space effort. also been involved with all Mars The evaluation of Danish space research landers. was based on the prior knowledge of the Panel members, together with a self- • The Dark Cosmology Centre makes evaluation document and a site visit for excellent provision for PhD students each participating institution. The Panel’s and young researchers. In addition, the recommendations for the future of the management techniques and organisa- Danish space effort are based mainly tion of this group are very good and on the research evaluation and a report have created an ideal atmosphere for about ESA-related industrial activity in research. Denmark prepared by Rambøll Manage- ment. The findings of this research evalu- • The Ørsted satellite is a highlight of ation and the Panel’s main recommenda- Danish space activities over the review tions are summarised below: period, especially in terms of inspiring national collaborations during its development stages, and raising the

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 9 international profile of Danish space groups working on Mars and the Space research. Physiology group at Copenhagen University should be strengthened. Mars researchers in Denmark have so RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DANISH far had little success in attracting funds SPACE RESEARCH for collaborative projects involving several institutions; the Panel would • The reintroduction of earmarked funds recommend that further efforts are for ESA related research is essential. made to secure such funding. Funds should be distributed from this budget line (on a competitive basis) for • Steps should be taken wherever Danish participation in ESA projects, possible to remove the excessive including support from the stage of routine consultancy and service work proposal writing to follow-up research which some university groups are using mission data. The funding deci- currently involved with to a more sions should be made by an inde- appropriate environment. pendent body (or bodies) based on an initial scientific peer review and take into account national programmatic RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE considerations (strategy, available OVERALL DANISH SPACE EFFORT budget etc). • Denmark must determine a national • The Danish contribution to PRODEX/ space strategy. The planning of the GSTP should be increased in combi- Danish ESA contributions must be nation with the re-introduction of based on this national strategy, which earmarked national funding for ESA should take into account university related activity in order to boost strengths, industrial activities and Danish involvement with space public needs. instruments and missions. This should also boost national collaboration and • The Danish Space Consortium encourage synergy between the space should be replaced by an independent activities in Danish industry and those committee whose members have in research groups. knowledge of space activities. This committee should have Terms of • Efforts must be made to rationalise Reference including providing advice research groups where space research to government and carrying out the is currently spread too thin and for activities which would normally be whom the loss of key personnel would undertaken by a national space agency prove fatal. As a priority, research (which DTU-Space currently takes

10 responsibility for). This body could also determine which projects are funded through PRODEX or any other space budget.

• A formal mechanism should be introduced to ensure that space activities at DMI are considered by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with regard to space policy since this Institute is under another government Ministry

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 11 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Terms of Reference This task was complicated by the fact that in many of these university groups, The Panel was asked: space science and technology only forms a part of their research, and sometimes • To assess the quality and relevance of only a small part. The Panel chose to Danish space research and to bench- judge this research from an “absolute” mark the activities on the basis of viewpoint, assessing the merits of each international standards. group’s contribution to space research without reference to other concerns such • To prepare an overall report, including as the Danish ESA contribution. This conclusions and recommendations, is necessarily an academic view, with concerning both space-related research emphasis on the quality of the research and industrial activities in Denmark. carried out. An alternative would have been to judge from the point of view of The Panel interpreted its task with regard Denmark’s ESA contribution, in which to Danish space research as being an case maximising industrial benefits and overall assessment of Danish research the use of the data from ESA missions activities and a brief evaluation of each would become more important, and of the research groups visited. In partic- routine scientific, service and commer- ular, the following criteria were judged: cial activities would be looked on in a more favourable light1. The Panel did • Publications and impact; not regard itself as being composed of • Scientific quality; technical experts and members’ experi- • Education; ence and background has naturally led • Career development for young to a greater concentration on scientific researchers; research rather than space technology • Industrial cooperation; activities. Independently of this, the • Funding; Panel struggled at times to understand, • International collaboration; and therefore judge, the coupling of tech- • Societal and economic relevance. nology activity to industry etc. Nonethe-

1 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel haslearnt that Danish universities are obliged to carry out research-based consultancy and service work (for example, the maintenance of networks in Greenland responsible for synoptic measurements) and that this is ranked as being equally important as research-based education and training. The Panel was unaware of this obligation when the evaluation was carried out, and is still unclear about the details of this arrangement, including when it was initiated and whether it applies to all universities or only those that were formerly research institutes. The evaluation of the groups is therefore carried out from an “absolute” viewpoint which assesses the quality of their space research, and comments and grades will reflect instances when this is hindered by any other factors, which may include research-based consultancy and service work. The Panel is of the opinion that undertaking such activities in a university environment, rather than using bodies such as national surveys, is challenging. Mixing basic research and service work in a single institution requires authorities to be capable of handling the situation without (however unintention- ally) making science a loser.

12 less, the Panel felt competent to judge the 1.2 Input Data value and quality of technology research (and development) needed to carry out The Panel members were able to draw space experiments and appreciates that upon the following information: such activities are necessary at research group level in order to participate • Prior experience and knowledge of successfully in new space missions. The Danish space research activities in Panel recognises that such activities are each of their areas of expertise; an important aspect of the work of groups such as DTU-Space and Elektro-DTU. • Self-evaluation documents prepared The Panel also felt that it was appropriate by each of the participating institu- to make some recommendations for the tions. These were based on a template future development of each research produced by the secretariat of the group. Individual reports for each group Danish Agency for Science, Tech- containing these recommendations are nology and Innovation; presented in Appendix A.1. The Panel’s findings from the overall evaluation of • Site visits to all but one of these Danish space research are presented in participating institutions (the Panel Section 3.1 and recommendations for the met with staff from the institute not future of Danish space research are given visited). The programme of visits (see in Section 5.1. Appendix A.4) was devised by the Danish Agency for Science, Tech- The Panel decided that the overall report nology and Innovation based on the would draw together the findings from restricted availability of some Panel the assessment of Danish space research members. A standard visit format and and available data about space-related timetable was drawn up by the Agency industrial activities in Denmark. The after discussion with the review Panel Panel interpreted its task to include Chair and was distributed to each making recommendations for the future institution as a suggestion for how the of the Danish space effort taking into visit could be organised (see Appendix account current research and industrial A.3). The institutions were also asked activities; these can be found in Section to be prepared to discuss their future 5.2. plans and strategy with the Panel;

• An evaluation of European Space Agency (ESA) related Danish industrial activities prepared by Rambøll management;

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 13 • A meeting with Gorm Petersen, Poul space research, and does not expect Schjørring and Cecilie Tornøe from that its findings would change if a more the Danish Agency for Science, comprehensive review were carried out. Technology and Innovation, involving The Panel’s impressions of the scope and a presentation on and discussion of impact of Danish industrial cooperation the general structure of Danish space with regard to ESA are based on reports research and sources of space research prepared by third parties (see Section funding; 1.2) and as such, all recommendations made by the Panel pertaining to Danish • A meeting with Gorm Petersen and industry rely on the Panel’s interpreta- Henrik Grage from the Danish Agency tion of this information. Since the overall for Science, Technology and Innova- conclusions and recommendations for tion and Brian Landbo from Rambøll Danish space activities presented in Management, focussing on discussion this report include consideration of the of the industrial side of Danish space industrial landscape, these will also be activities; influenced by the Panel’s interpretation of the available information about Danish • Various documents concerning Danish industry. research funding, the industrial return from ESA and future Danish Astronomy strategy (see Appendix 1.4 Acknowledgements A.2). The Panel wishes to thank the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and 1.3 Caveat Innovation, and in particular Gorm Petersen, Poul Schjørring, Henrik Grage, With regard to the evaluation of Danish Cecilie Tornøe and Evin Cilgin, for their research activities, this report covers cooperation and logistical support. In all Danish groups that carry out some addition, the Panel would like to thank level of space research, except Research all the research institutions involved with Centre Foulum, who declined to this evaluation for their hospitality during participate in the evaluation. This report the site visits. summarises the Panel’s perceptions of Danish space research based on the prior knowledge of the Panel members, together with information from the self- evaluation documents and site visits. The Panel felt that this was sufficient to draw conclusions about the quality of Danish

14 2 GENERAL SITUATION IN DENMARK

At present, the Danish space programme supporting ESA related activities was is a collection of diverse activities which removed in 2001, a new Space Research fall broadly under a “space” heading; Advisory Board was not appointed there is no national space policy. (although the existing Board’s period of Denmark does not have a national space function was administratively prolonged agency, and DTU-Space currently acts until 2003 to allocate funds on the in this role when required; for example, finance bills for 2002 and 2003). The the Director of DTU-Space heads the loss of both the Space Research Advi- Danish delegation to the ESA Science sory Board and the earmarked funding to Programme Board. Space activities in support ESA activities is still keenly felt Denmark are currently arranged in an in the community. informal manner, although this has not always been the case. Prior to 2001, Space observations are becoming more Denmark had a Space Research Advisory and more important for a range of scien- Board whose 11 members had expertise tific and societal activities. In addition, in space research. These members were countries often benefit from technolog- appointed by the Minister for Research ical and industrial developments inspired on the recommendation of research by involvement with space missions. councils, the Confederation of Danish However, space activities are complex Industries, the Ministry of Environment to manage and execute and require and Energy, the Ministry of Business strong coordination between scientific and Industry, the Ministry of Food, the and industrial parties. Furthermore, Ministry of Transport, the Board of the space-related scientific work is often Danish Space Research Institute and the reliant on international collaboration, National Telecom Agency. The purpose which in turn must be based on national of the Space Research Advisory Board competencies obtained by means of was to offer the Minister for Research national, or in some cases bi- and multi- independent and qualified advice about lateral projects outside of the ESA space research. Its tasks included programme. This, together with long, advising as to how funds which had often uncertain, timescales and the risk been earmarked to support ESA activi- of cancelled or failed missions makes ties should be distributed and offering diversification of space activities within advice to the Danish government about a country somewhat understandable. space matters; the Danish Small Satel- This is true for both big and small lite Programme was established on the countries, but for a small country recommendation of this Board. The with correspondingly limited financial last Space Research Advisory Board investment, the challenges and potential was set up in 1997 for a period of 4 dangers are perhaps more pronounced. years. However, when the budget line Denmark’s contribution to an ESA space

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 15 programme is usually a small fraction international collaborations. Although of the overall budget, which restricts the Panel cannot judge the reasons for the extent to which it can direct ESA the cancellation of Rømer, it is clear to programme priorities towards its national the Panel that it is extremely difficult competencies. In Denmark’s case, this to run a national satellite programme situation is compounded by the lack of without a supporting national space a national space strategy, which allows strategy. such diversification to occur unchecked.

Over the review period, Denmark has 2.1 Research Diversity felt both the benefits associated with space missions and the problems caused and Focus by mission cancellation. Ørsted is a successful Danish satellite which makes Danish space researchers work within precise measurements of the Earth’s many fields: Earth Observation, Commu- magnetic field. DMI took responsibility nications, Navigation, Geodesy and for this mission, which evolved into an Geodynamics, Research under Space extremely fruitful national collaboration Conditions, Space Technology, Explo- between a number of research groups and ration and Astronomy. Within each of Danish companies. This project has also these fields, Danish researchers often generated much international collabora- work on completely distinct topics to tion and raised the international profile of those in other groups within Denmark, Danish research groups and industry. The which reduces opportunities for national success of national collaboration for the collaboration. The diversity of the Ørsted satellite prompted the initiation space research that is carried out within of the Small Satellite Programme, and Denmark means that these research the birth of the Rømer mission. Despite groups are often very small and in some completing Phase A and B studies for cases staff numbers have always been this satellite and securing 50% of the at, or have dropped to, almost “critical funding required for Phase C and D level”. This can happen even within studies from industry and foreign part- a large organisation of space-based ners, Rømer was cancelled in 2003. researchers such as DTU-Space, since This cancellation caused considerable some of its subgroups are rather small. disruption to the research programmes Some space-based researchers work of groups who were significantly within larger groups or departments involved with the project. However, for which space is not the main focus, the experience gained from participation where they can find it hard to argue that in this mission led at least one group to appointments should be made of people become involved with a number of new specifically with space expertise.

16 At present in Denmark, a lot of space- agency or space advisory board was felt related commercial activities seem to be to be a disadvantage. The Space Consor- carried out by university groups. Some of tium aims to develop a national strategy this work is innovative and appropriate for space science, advise the Danish for a university environment, but the Ministry on space matters, encourage routine application of science or tech- cooperation between research groups nology is inappropriate in such a setting. and Danish companies, support Danish Radical reorganisation would be neces- space-related industrial activities and sary to compartmentalise space activi- ensure that Denmark makes best use ties such that research was reserved for of its ESA membership. At present, the universities and all commercial activi- Space Consortium informally advises the ties were carried out by SMEs, spin-off Danish Agency for Science, Technology companies, Danish industry etc., and and Innovation on prioritisation of invest- would almost certainly prove detrimental ments in ESA programmes and identifica- to Danish space science. Indeed, it is tion of ESA delegates from the research important for researchers to be involved community. with commercial projects to some extent to see how data are used and add The Danish Space Consortium comprises research-based value to these projects. a steering committee and seven forums However, at present, an excessive level covering Global Navigation Satellite of routine consultancy and service work Systems (GNSS), Astronomy, Solar is carried out by Danish university System science, Earth Observation, groups. International Space Station, Education and Outreach and Space Industry and Technology. Membership of the Consor- 2.2 Decision Making tium is open to interested parties in both the research community and Danish Process industry but is mainly biased towards the research community. Each research 2.2.1 Danish Space Consortium department typically allocates a senior member as their representative within The Danish Space Consortium was the steering committee, although the formed in 2004 and the secretariat forums may have members who are more is currently hosted by DTU-Space directly involved with space research. (formerly by the Danish Space Research This arrangement has advantages and Institute, DSRI). DSRI took the initia- disadvantages: whilst senior members tive to form the Space Consortium after of a department may have more influ- the cancellation of the Rømer satellite ence over the allocation of departmental project, when the lack of a national space funding, they are typically less involved

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 17 with research, and in some cases do not tions and international awards. In 2007, have any close involvement with space approximately €25 million or 80% of the research. These forums may produce Danish space budget was allocated to documents relating to Danish space ESA. Of the remainder, over 90% was science. For example, the members of allocated to universities, with around the Astronomy forum of the Danish €500,000 awarded to research councils as Space Consortium also form the Danish earmarked funds for space research. Astronomy Committee (DAC), which has produced a report outlining plans for University research funding is allo- the future of Danish Astronomy: “Danish cated mainly for salaries, infrastructure Astronomy 2007-2017”. and PhD students; research groups must usually apply to other bodies for additional funding. Following a recent 2.2.2 Danish Space Industry reorganisation of Danish research, the Cluster Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) is the only remaining government research The Danish Space Cluster was formed institution involved with space research. in 2007 with the aim of boosting Danish This Institute receives some funding industrial involvement in space activities. from the government and has an obliga- As well as drawing political attention to tion to provide certain services, including the Danish space industry, the Cluster weather forecasts and warnings. The aims to develop Danish space-related Panel was told that DMI’s govern- industrial competencies and to build up a mental funding has decreased over the body of knowledge about the application evaluation period, although the services procedures for space-related contracts. required from this Institute remain the Membership of the Space Cluster is same. As a result, an increasing propor- open to any interested parties; 20 Danish tion of their space research activities are companies and 7 universities and scien- externally funded. tific institutions are currently involved. The two research councils who have some funds earmarked for space research 2.3 Research Funding are the Danish Natural Science Research Council and the Danish Research Council Structures for Technology and Production Sciences; space research does not currently feature Danish space researchers receive explicitly in Danish strategic research funding from universities, government programmes. Since 2004, there has been research institutions, research coun- a reduction in applications for space cils and foundations, private founda- research funding from the Danish Natural

18 Science Research Council, although the ESA contracts awarded to universities level of awards granted increased over amount to approximately €2 million the same period; the result is an increase per year; other important sources of in the average grant size. Prior to 2001, international funding include the EU, the Danish Space Research Advisory particularly for Earth Observation activi- Board made recommendations for the ties. ESA has a policy of “geo-return” distribution of funding which was specifi- on contributions made by its members. cally allocated for research related to This means that over a given period the ESA activities. This funding no longer total value of ESA contracts awarded to exists and the earmarked funds for space a member state should be approximately research from the research councils were equivalent to that country’s ESA contri- introduced as a replacement. Despite bution. Although the overall Danish this lack of allocated funding specifi- return from ESA between 2000 and 2007 cally to support ESA activities, funds was 0.99, this masks significant under- are earmarked for research connected to return in the mandatory programmes and ESO, CERN and ESRF. a large over-return in the Earth Observa- tion programme. It should be noted that The Danish National Research Foun- the Earth Observation programme is in dation (DNRF) funds two centres of some ways more flexible than the ESA excellence which are currently partly Science Programme. The former can involved with space research2: the Dark support research activities required to Cosmology Centre and the Centre for establish observing procedures, develop Ice and Climate (hereafter, the Centre for data analysis algorithms etc. whereas Ice and Climate and the Planetary and the latter does not really support any Earth Sciences group at NBI are referred activities in Danish universities. Over the to collectively as “NBI”) , although the period 2000-2007, Danish institutions latter has very limited space-related (including public authorities and agen- activity. This is intended to provide long cies and universities) received on average term support to leading Danish research 17% of the total ESA funding awarded to groups and is awarded on the basis of Denmark, with the remainder being allo- excellence. The initial grant allocates cated to private Danish companies. This approximately €5 million over five years proportion was greater in the latter half and may be extended for a further five of the review period (2005-2007), which years. is partially due to the implementation of special measures to correct an overall under-return from 2000 to 2004.

2 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel haslearnt that the Danish Centre for Remote Sensing at DTU was also funded by DNRF as a centre of excellence during the review period. The activities of this Centre included developing instruments and applying methods for microwave remote sensing.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 19 2.4 Reorganisation of Solar System physics), from former DTU departments (Microwaves and Remote Research Structure Sensing, Measurement and Instrumenta- tion and some Geodesy) and from KMS This evaluation followed shortly after a (Geodesy and Geodynamics). Negotia- major reorganisation of Danish research, tions are currently ongoing as to the fate which involved the merger of inde- of the Microwave Technology Group at pendent research institutions into univer- Elektro-DTU, which was not included sities. From a space research perspective, in DTU-Space as part of the merger, but this government policy led to the merger which has close ties to the Remote Sensing of both the Danish National Space Centre group. DNSC was the largest space and Risø National Laboratory with DTU, research group in Denmark, and conse- to form DTU-Space and Risø-DTU quently DTU-Space is by far the largest respectively. Some of the implications Danish university space research group, of these mergers were still unclear at with over 50 staff members involved with the time of the review and a number of space-related research. Having a group of departments remained uncertain as to this size involved with space activities is their role within the new set-up. The loss a national asset when it comes to presence of these independent research institutes on the international scene. was also perceived by non-DTU university groups to have reduced opportunities DNSC occupied a special position within for joint PhD students, as sharing a PhD the Danish space system and although student with an independent institute was this continues to be the case for DTU- felt to be easier than with another Univer- Space following the latest merger, the sity. nature of this position has necessarily changed. As an independent research organisation, DNSC was the Danish 2.4.1 DTU-Space point of contact for ESA’s mandatory science programme and maintained this DTU-Space was formed by the merger role following the merger. DTU-Space of the Danish National Space Centre is now also point of contact for the Earth (DNSC) with DTU in 2007. DNSC was Observation programme and various itself formed in 2005 from the merger technological programmes. In addition, of the Danish Space Research Insti- as mentioned earlier, DTU-Space has tute (DSRI) and geodetic and geody- continued the Space Centre’s role of namic research groups at KMS (Kort & managing the Danish Space Consortium, Matrikelstyrelsen) and Cadastre. DTU- which acts as the Danish Agency for Space therefore encompasses activities Science, Technology and Innovation’s from the former DSRI (Astrophysics and point of contact within the space commu-

20 nity, and which also informally advises the Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation on Danish space policy and priorities for investment in optional ESA programmes. During the site visits, some research groups questioned whether this situation remains appropriate following the merger, and raised concerns about the dominant position that DTU holds within the consortium and Danish space research in general. The Panel notes that there is now an apparent conflict of interest, and recognises the unease felt by groups outside DTU-Space.

The Director of DTU-Space still repre- sents the Danish space community in all matters of international cooperation and heads the Danish delegation to the ESA Science Programme board. In this respect, DTU-Space acts de facto as Denmark’s space agency.

2.4.2 Risø-DTU

To date, the effect of the merger of the Risø National Laboratory into DTU has caused less upheaval than the creation of DTU-Space. Risø remains very much a separate entity, which is unsurprising given its location at some distance from the rest of DTU. However, the full consequences of the merger are not yet clear. In particular, the involvement with education expected from Risø staff is very uncertain. Following the merger, there are plans to increase the number of PhD students at Risø dramatically.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 21 3 SPACE ACTIVITIES IN DENMARK

3.1 Space Research constellation of 3 satellites in near-polar low orbits. SWARM aims to provide the Activities best ever survey of the geomagnetic field and its temporal evolution. DTU-Space is Evaluations of the individual groups also significantly involved with the ESA which are involved with space research missions Atmosphere-Space Interactions in Denmark are provided in Appendix Monitor (ASIM) and Soil Moisture and A.1. This Section summarises the Panel’s Ocean Salinity (SMOS). The former will opinions of the quality of the Danish monitor extreme thunderstorms, water contribution from all these research vapour, clouds, aerosols and their inter- groups to different fields of space play in the atmosphere and is expected research. to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2011, from where it will observe the atmosphere for 2 years. Prof. 3.1.1 Earth Observation T. Neubert (DTU-Space) is leading the development of the X- and gamma-ray The ESA Earth Observation programme sensor. The Danish contribution to the has been a priority in Denmark since SMOS mission includes antenna meas- 1973. Many departments are involved urements of the flight hardware, airborne with Earth Observation research ranging demonstration development and scientific from the use of processed satellite data and technical campaigns. Prof. N. Skou for hydrological modelling to designing (DTU-Space) is a member of the ESA and launching Ørsted, the first Danish MAG for SMOS. At the other end of the satellite, which measures the geomag- spectrum, some Danish Earth Observa- netic field. tion groups are merely users of processed data, which means that they will probably The diversity of Danish research carried have little influence over the data which out under the broad heading of Earth are available now and in the future. Observation is matched by a wide variation in the level of space mission involve- The research quality and scope of Danish ment. Capitalising on the success of the activities within this field is equally Ørsted satellite, DTU-Space is the lead diverse. Particular strengths lie within institution (PI the Director, Prof. E. Friis- the areas of Geomagnetism and GPS Christensen) for the forthcoming ESA occultations, and some groups are also geomagnetic satellite cluster mission making effective use of satellite data to SWARM, and Dr. N. Olsen (DTU-Space) supplement their terrestrial activities. is a member of its Mission Advisory Most research groups involved with Group (MAG). This mission is scheduled Earth Observation have a good publica- for launch in 2010 and will comprise a tion record and some have published

22 in the highest impact scientific jour- retaining suitable PhD students, particu- nals. International collaboration within larly in fields where jobs in industry are this field is generally good, with some lucrative. As a result of industrial compe- Danish research groups taking responsi- tition, young scientists may be offered bility for sections of large international permanent positions within academia at a programmes. very early stage in their careers.

Earth Observation research is fairly Earth Observation research offers many well-funded and Denmark currently benefits to society, and Danish groups has a significant over-return from ESA are involved with projects including under this programme, which reflects the study of African monsoons and the their competence in and contributions modelling of overland wind flow to aid to this area, as well as the fact that their wind farm placement. Space measure- subscription only comprises 0.86% of the ments are used to provide data over a total programme budget. The EU is also large area and some researchers are also an important source of funds for research involved with the validation of such in this field, with some groups involved space-based techniques using ground- in large EU international programmes. based data. However, some institutions have become reliant on income from consultancy and service work, with the result that some 3.1.2 Communications, Navigation, researchers are over-burdened with the Geodynamics and Geodesy demands of this commissioned research. Such activities can adversely affect the Very few Danish researchers are involved scientific output of a group and pose a with space-related communications particular problem for young researchers, activities but a number of centres carry as building up a portfolio of publications out research which falls under the is important for their career development. heading of Satellite Navigation, Geodesy The space research group within the and Geodynamics. Within the fields Department of Geography and Geology of Geodesy and Satellite Navigation, at Copenhagen University has created the research includes geoid determination spin-off company, GRAS, to carry out its (physical geodesy) and GNSS develop- consultancy/service activities in a more ments, such as high-precision kinematic appropriate environment. The close rela- positioning, orbit determination and tionship between GRAS and this research software receiver development (with group is mutually beneficial, and a prime special emphasis on indoor positioning). example of the advantages of such an Activities within the field of Geody- arrangement. Some research groups high- namics cover climate and ice studies, lighted the difficulty of recruiting and as well as airborne and satellite gravity

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 23 (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean consultancy work forms part of their Circulation Explorer, GOCE) projects. basic funding. However, Danish groups Prof. C. C. Tscherning (NBI) is a member have struggled to attract national research of the ESA MAG for the GOCE mission. funds, and this has contributed to a Despite involving only a small number dependence on consultancy work in at of scientists, Danish research in these least one group. In some cases staff sala- areas is internationally well-recognised, ries are funded from consultancy activi- although to some extent this is due to ties, and as a result, these researchers past involvement in international scien- are employed on a series of short term tific organisations. contracts. Aside from offering little job security, the prevalence of contract work The Danish groups that are involved with and/or service activities prevents staff these fields of research are split over disseminating the results of their work many University environments (Aalborg due to time constraints and confiden- University Space Centre, Danish GPS tiality agreements. Danish groups also Centre, Department of Physical and Earth have very little engagement with the Sciences at NBI and DTU-Space). Most European development of the Galileo have limited involvement with education satellite navigation system, which is a and as a consequence few PhD students. unique undertaking with many associated In addition, these universities have no long term funding opportunities. degree courses in aerospace and aeronautics, where modern satellite positioning The mixture of commercial and tech- and navigation can play a dominant role. nological activities, service and public Some of these groups work closely with consultancy work has significantly industry or carry out service functions, influenced the scientific output of these for example in Greenland. However, Danish groups. However, they appear to there is a lack of national cooperation have not yet considered creating spin- (and coordination) between these groups, off and service companies as a means of which may have been exacerbated by absorbing some of these activities, and the difficulty in obtaining national funds thereby overcoming many of the prob- for collaborative studies. In the rapidly lems mentioned above. evolving research field of GPS, it is typically not the culture to publish in peer-reviewed journals, and presentations 3.1.3 Research under space at major specialised conferences are of conditions greater importance. The Biomedical sciences department at These fields are of great relevance to Copenhagen University hosts the Gravi- society, and for some groups, public tational and Space Physiology group,

24 which is the only Danish group involved 3.1.4 Exploration (Aurora) with research under space conditions. This small group produces internationally Denmark’s activities within the Explora- recognized, high quality basic research tion research area are mostly related to and has a good publication record. The Mars. Several small groups are active group collaborates effectively with in this field and Danish researchers are Danish industry via Damec Research particularly interested in the Martian Aps, although their research is not magnetic field, microbiological survival dependent on this collaboration. Some of under Martian conditions, Martian atmos- the group’s findings may have implica- pheric processes, Mars analogue miner- tions for the clinical treatment of heart alogy and development of instruments for failure patients, so this research also has use on Mars. The groups and individuals the potential to be of significant interest seek to work as a distributed network and to society as a whole. The group is an participate in both the NASA and ESA active partner in a number of interna- programmes. tional collaborations and makes a significant contribution to education within the Danish research carried out in this area is department. Funding has been maintained of a very high standard and internation- at a reasonably constant level over the ally well-recognised. Much of this work review period and new sources of funds is published in high impact journals and are actively pursued. is well-cited. These groups are also often active partners in both national and inter- The Gravitational and Space Physiology national collaborations and many have an group has been involved with some excellent level of involvement with space testing of equipment for Damec Research missions. Groups who are involved with Aps over the review period. This group instrument development also cooperate also provides consultancy services for well with Danish industry. parties interested in using Innocor, the commercial version of a non-invasive The lack of national sources for long term cardiovascular output monitor originally funding has impeded Danish involvement developed by Damec Research Aps for with ESA and NASA projects related to use aboard the ISS. Efforts are currently Mars, since groups are often required to being made to get Innocor used routinely have funding arranged for the duration in hospitals and the group is involved of the project at the outset. Whilst Mars with this process. research attracts funding from external benefactors, groups do not always get funding early enough or at a high enough level to fully support their activities. The Danish groups involved with Mars

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 25 research have also been unable to secure particular highlights in the fields of funding for national collaborations stellar Astrophysics and Cosmology. involving multiple research centres. All the Danish Astronomy research groups have strong publication records There is much instrument develop- and publish in high impact journals. ment related to Mars research. Over the Astronomy is an international field and period of the review, one instrument was Danish researchers actively participate produced for the payload of NASA’s in international collaborations; however, Phoenix mission and others are in devel- national collaborations are not as preva- opment for ESA’s ExoMars mission. lent. Astronomy is a popular component Much of this instrument development is of many undergraduate physics courses carried out in cooperation with Danish and Danish researchers are therefore industry. The Wind Tunnel at the Mars involved with all levels of university Simulation Laboratory in Aarhus is also education. The career prospects of young used by other research groups and around Danish astronomers are reasonably bright 20-25% of the available time has been but within this field it was understood allocated to ESA in exchange for partial that pursuit of an academic career may funding of this facility. However, the necessitate moving abroad for at least team are keen that this should remain one post-doctoral position. primarily a research facility for Aarhus University rather than a service facility. Astronomy fascinates the general public and is valuable as a means of attracting young people into science. Many 3.1.5 Astronomy Danish groups appreciate this and are significantly involved with outreach Astronomy in Denmark encompasses activities. Danish Astronomy is gener- Astrophysics and Solar System physics. ally well-funded although the difficulty Research topics include Dark Energy, of obtaining adequate and long term Dark Matter, Large Scale Structure, CMB funding within the Danish system was physics, galaxy formation, Asteroseis- again emphasised. These research groups mology, compact objects, Sun climate are both established and well-organised; research and high energy Astrophysics. all these groups have a clear vision for Most Astronomy researchers are not their future and an awareness of steps purely space researchers, their work which need to be taken in order for them integrates space-based and ground-based to develop further. As an illustrative measurements. example, the group at the Department of Physics and Astronomy in Aarhus The standard of Astronomy research has established a very well thought-out in Denmark is generally excellent with plan for its research on Asteroseis-

26 mology - and indirectly as scientific satellite allowed DTU-Space to lead an support to exoplanet studies – involving ESA proposal for the SWARM mission. operational, approved and planned space missions (CoRoT, Kepler and PLATO, Danish research activities in this area respectively). Researchers in this group include improvements to the design act as team members and the group has of vector magnetometers and stellar managed to secure the main responsi- compasses, development of techniques bility for the Asteroseismic analysis of for antenna characterisation, improve- the data from Kepler. In addition to this ment of automation and control systems, group level planning, astronomers in the design of microwave power ampli- Denmark have created national strategic fiers and Astronomy space technology. In plans for Danish activities in this field several cases, the quality of the research over the next 10 years, which have been carried out in Denmark under this discussed and agreed upon between inter- programme is slightly below average, ested parties. This research area benefits with activities tending towards routine greatly from the presence of a number of service work rather than basic research. A strong and ambitious leaders. few of these research groups have significant involvement with undergraduate Technological activities within education, which is often project-based in Astronomy are mainly carried out at these more technical disciplines. DTU-Space (see Section 3.1.6) although other groups have some involvement As a general rule, research groups which with instrument building for ground- are involved with Space Technology based telescopes. DTU-Space is some- are well-funded, although much of this what disconnected from the more tradi- funding tends to come from commercial tional and longer established Astronomy activities rather than national research university groups elsewhere in Denmark, funding. Although these groups work but with proper funding there are possi- close to industry, they have relatively bilities for future collaboration. little collaboration with Danish companies.

3.1.6 Space Technology Technology for the Ørsted satellite was developed in the Department of Elec- Space Technology activities in Denmark tronic Systems at Aalborg University, are largely uncoordinated and carried out at DMI, in the Automation group at on a group-by-group basis. The excep- DTU and at the Danish Space Research tion to this situation was with regard to Institute (DSRI); the latter 2 groups are the Ørsted satellite, which was run as a now part of DTU-Space. The attitude Danish collaboration. Success with this control system for Ørsted was devel-

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 27 oped in Aalborg, together with a second group at Elektro-DTU is one of the ground receiving station. A charged Danish groups that have taken advantage particle detector was produced at DMI of sharing PhD students with Danish and the groups which are now contained companies as a means of improving within DTU-Space developed the vector collaboration with industry. magnetometer and stellar reference package and carried out system engi- Most of the technical work for space neering and mission analysis. Danish Astronomy missions is performed at industry was also significantly involved DTU-Space. This group has solid experi- with the development of this satellite in ence in X-ray technology; DSRI provided collaboration with these research groups. crucial parts to the SODART instrument, The success of Ørsted led to DTU-Space which should have flown on the Russian being involved with Danish industry Spectrum-Röntgen-Gamma mission and in the production of star cameras and was Principal Investigator for the X-ray vector magnetometers for a number of monitor JEM-X on the ESA satellite other space missions including SWARM, Integral. DTU-Space is now actively whose satellites will carry much of the involved in the Phase B study of the same instrumentation as Ørsted. NASA mission NuStar and is leading the development of one X- and gamma Following on from the Ørsted satellite, ray sensor for the ASIM instrument (for the Danish Small Satellite Programme the ISS). Development of new X-ray was initiated, and plans for the next coatings for the ESA mission XEUS is Danish satellite Rømer were conceived. being carried out on a contract with a Although this mission was cancelled French company. DTU-Space (and the partway through the development phases, former DSRI and DNSC) has also, in many of the groups and Danish compa- collaboration with industry, developed nies that were involved with Ørsted were the skills needed to provide accurate and also active in this collaboration. very stable instrument structures made from CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Elektro-DTU hosts the Spherical Near- Polymer) to both the ESA mission Planck field Antenna test facility, which is one of and the European-American mid-infrared ESA’s few external facilities. This equip- instrument MIRI for JWST. ment enabled a group at Elektro-DTU to carry out antenna characterisation for the SMOS satellite. Other research and 3.1.7 Space Transport (Launchers) industrial groups often use this characterisation equipment and in this manner, No Danish research is carried out in this Elektro-DTU assists with a lot of service field – activity is purely industrial. work. The Microwave Technology

28 3.2 Industrial Activities tronic systems, DC/DC converters for telecommunications payloads, and It should be noted here that the Panel did medical and physiological instrumenta- not visit any industries. However, the tion and physical exercise equipment for Panel received the report of a consultant use on manned space flights. There is and copies of an internal report produced no strategic programme in Denmark to for the Danish Ministry for Science, try to match the competencies of Danish Technology and Innovation in 2004,3 industry with those of space-related in addition to holding a meeting with research groups. However, funding the consultant. Furthermore, the Panel is available to support collaboration questioned the institutes about their between Danish companies and research industrial collaboration which led to an groups. impression of space-related industrial activity. For full details of Denmark’s A study of all Danish companies who industrial involvement with ESA, readers have obtained ESA contracts (either as should refer to these reports. However, main contract holder or as a subcon- a summary of their main findings is tractor to a Danish company with an included here for completeness. ESA contract) in the period from 2000 to 2007 found that for each €1 million Approximately 95% of the total that Denmark contributes to ESA, €4.5 contractsum from ESA awarded to million of Danish industrial turnover Danish industry during the review period is generated. Analysis of the impact of was shared between 7 companies. These ESA contracts on Danish industry can be are (or were, in the case of Alcatel Space made in terms of “direct” and “indirect” Denmark A/S, which closed down in effects. “Direct” effects are those which 2003): Alcatel Space Denmark A/S, stem from fulfilment of the ESA contract, Damec Research Aps, FORCE Tech- and “indirect” effects follow from the nology, Innoware A/S, Rovsing A/S, company’s development during the fulfil- Terma A/S and TICRA. These companies ment of these contracts, for example, due are involved with software and ground to the introduction of new technologies or equipment development and on-board competencies. Over this period, indirect equipment production including: antenna turnover of €462.6 million was gener- analysis software, check out systems, ated from ESA contracts and each €1 software validation and verification, million of contractsum directly generated electrical ground support equipment, 1.9 full-time employment positions and on-board software, star cameras, elec indirectly generated 0.8 full-time posts.

3 “Analysis and strategy concerning the special effort by ESA to re-balance the Danish return coefficient”, Chresten Overbeck, 31st March 2004

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 29 ESA participation is therefore extremely at 59%. Over this period, Denmark important to Danish industry. invested €57.2 million in optional ESA programmes, providing 3.03% of the The European space industry has seen a total ESA investment in the Micro- slight reduction in direct employment and gravity programme and 1.16% of the consolidated turnover in the period from total investment in the ISS. The majority 1997 to 2006, but Denmark has seen a of the remaining Danish contribution to far more dramatic decrease with employ- the optional programmes was invested ment numbers and turnover in 2006 in Earth Observation (0.86% of the total approximately 55% of their 1997 values. ESA programme budget) and Launchers In Denmark, the bulk of this decrease (0.27% of the total ESA programme occurred between 2002 and 2004 and budget), with smaller amounts invested is mainly due to the closure of Alcatel in Telecommunications (0.10% of the Space Denmark A/S in 2003 and to total ESA programme budget), Naviga- acquisitions and consolidations made by tion (0.14% of the total ESA programme Terma A/S. Both employment numbers budget) and GSTP (General Support and and turnover remained steady from 2004 Technology Programme) and PRODEX until the end of the review period. In (0.78% of the total ESA programme 2004/2005, special measures were intro- budget). The geographical return from duced to attempt to correct a deficit in the the optional programmes was greater industrial return from ESA in Denmark. than 100% for all programmes except These special measures contributed to a Launchers which stands at 88%. There change in the balance of ESA funding in was a significant over-return (178%) in Denmark: from 2000 to 2004 an average the Earth Observation programme. It is of 10% of the total Danish ESA funding unsurprising that Denmark has an over/ was awarded to Danish institutions (not under return problem, given the size of private companies), whereas from 2005 its ESA contributions and lack of national to 2007, this level rose to 31%. space strategy. It is difficult to run an industry on ESA contributions which The General Budget and Scientific are too small and therefore challenging Programmes are mandatory activities to support a company which operates for ESA participants, and the contribu- purely from ESA contracts. The current tions from Denmark currently amount to lack of national space strategy means around 1.86% of these budgets. Denmark that companies struggle to develop their has experienced significant under-return activities to benefit from ESA contracts. in both these programmes over the period from 2000 to 2007, with the geographical Two of the optional programmes return from the General Budget at 76% mentioned above – GSTP and PRODEX and that from the Scientific Programme – offer alternative means of funding

30 space-related industrial activities. Inter- amount to the national space budget. In ested parties can bid for funding up to 2004, Denmark’s distribution of its total the amount contributed by their member space budget was similar to Sweden, state. Application for GSTP funds is led which had a total budget that was 2.3 by industry, and finance is available for times larger. the development of technology (usually reasonably mature) to a level where it Amongst Danish ESA contractors, a total is almost ready for use on a satellite. turnover of €99.3 million (2008 prices) GSTP funding is allocated following was directly generated through ESA discussion between ESA, industry and contracts between 2000 and 2007 with the appropriate national space board (if approximately 50% of this through the it exists). PRODEX provides funding for ISS programme and the General Budget. the industrial development of scientific Some Danish companies such as Damec instruments or experiments, proposed by Research Aps and Innoware A/S base universities or institutions in participating their business on ESA contracts rather member states, which have been selected than using ESA contracts to develop by ESA for one of its programmes in the new skills and competencies which can various fields of space research. then be applied to a wider market. Such companies contribute only to the direct Over the period from 2000 to 2007, 98% turnover from ESA contractors and do of the total ESA contractsum awarded not contribute any “spin-off” activity to private companies in Denmark went to the Danish market. Indirect turnover to ten companies, and was mainly for from ESA contractors comes from contracts falling within the International companies that use ESA contracts to Space Station optional programme build up new competencies and technolo- and the General Budget and Scientific gies, which they then use to generate Programme. Approximately 70% of all further business. In general, if a Danish the contracts allocated to Danish compa- subcontractor specialises in delivering nies were considered “noble”, requiring components to the space industry, then the development of new technologies. there may be a spin-off effect from In 2004, 72% of the total Danish space supplying a Danish ESA contractor, budget was allocated to ESA, 15% since additional competencies are gained to EUMETSAT and 13% to national through this work. TICRA is an example programmes (mainly financing the of a Danish company which was initially Danish National Space Centre and the reliant on ESA contracts, but has evolved Small Satellite Programme). Compared so that today only 20% of its turnover is to other European countries with similar from ESA. Any of the remaining turnover total space budgets, Denmark allocated which can be attributed to competencies a larger proportion to ESA and a lesser or technologies developed through ESA

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 31 contracts is an indirect impact of Danish nies are excluded, this falls to 3.7. In the ESA participation. Amongst Danish ESA former case, each €1 million invested contractors, a total indirect turnover of in ESA leads to a total turnover of €4.5 €462.6 million was generated between million from Danish industry. These 2000 and 2007; approximately 25% figures allow for a tax distortion factor of this was through the optional GSTP of 20%, which accounts for the fact that and PRODEX programme. The manda- the Danish ESA contribution is financed tory programmes and the optional ISS through the taxation system and therefore programme, which are most important for causes a distortion in economic activity. direct turnover, are the least important for In order to quantify the uncertainty on the indirect turnover. Positions for 192 full calculation of the overall spin-off factor, time employees were generated within a bootstrap analysis of the data was ESA contractors over this period directly performed. The overall spin-off factor from ESA contracts; indirectly, 355 full was found to lie between 2.4 and 5.5 at time positions were created. the 90% confidence level.

The inclusion of spin-off companies in 3.2.1 Spin-off from space activity the analysis has a significant effect on the spin-off factors for some individual If the Danish ESA contribution is programmes. For example, on inclu- regarded as an investment, the economic sion of these companies, the spin-off impact of Danish industrial cooperation factor from the General Support and with ESA can be analysed by looking at Technology Programme and PRODEX the return on this investment. This “spin- increases from 6.7 to 60.0. These large off factor” includes both the direct and spin-off factors partially reflect the fact indirect impacts on Danish contractors that the Danish contribution to these and direct impacts on Danish subcontrac- optional programmes is very small, so a tors. There is an argument for including modest turnover results in a large spin-off turnover from spin-off companies in this factor. However, even excluding spin-off analysis, since the existence of many of companies, this programme still has the these companies is directly due to Danish largest individual spin-off factor. The ESA involvement. However, the subse- mandatory programmes and the optional quent development of these companies Launchers and Earth Observation is also dependent on factors other than programmes also have relatively high ESA engagements. If turnover from spin-off factors. The remaining optional spin-off companies is included as an programmes which Denmark participates indirect impact of Danish ESA participa- in (Navigation, ISS, Telecommunications tion, then the overall spin-off factor for and Microgravity) all have relatively low Danish industry is 4.5; if spin-off compa- spin-off factors as there is little commer-

32 cialisation following ESA contracts for Some Danish companies and research these programmes. groups use shared PhD students to boost contact between the two parties and forge stronger collaborations. Other research 3.2.2 Existing cooperation with groups have formed spin-off companies research centres to absorb the majority of the consultancy work which they would otherwise under- Despite some excellent examples of take. In such cases, strong ties tend to collaborations between Danish research remain to the department, and the collab- groups and industry, on the whole, there oration seems to work particularly well. seems to be relatively little such activity. An unfortunate consequence for research This may be attributed partially to a groups of these close relationships is that mis-match between ESA programmes of they tend to “lose” people to industry interest to those in academia and where which they then find difficult to replace. Danish industry’s strengths currently lie. However, the loss to research groups is a A number of groups also expressed the gain for Danish industry.4 opinion that Danish industry is currently incapable of producing space hardware During the development of the Ørsted and research groups must therefore satellite, national collaborations undertake this work themselves. This involving both research groups and situation tends to lead to an unacceptable Danish industry were very successful. amount of routine, rather than research However, with the cancellation of the driven, technological production being Danish Small Satellite Programme and carried out within a university environ- the Rømer mission, the effective working ment, which is both inappropriate and partnerships which were built up during uneconomic. However, this activity may the development of Ørsted appear to have be too small to justify creating a dedi- weakened. Danish involvement with cated industry/spin-off company and SWARM may rejuvenate these partner- a solution to this problem is therefore ships to some extent. unclear.

4 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel haslearnt that AUSC has been involved since 2006 with an initiative called “Vækstforum for rumteknologi”, which aims to facilitate knowledge transfer from research institutes to small companies. There is no further information in the group’s self-evaluation document, or in the presentations which were given during the site visit.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 33 4 Analysis and development of the magnets for Mars Pathfinder but have taken advantage of Conclusions this position to learn about operation and data analysis of lander camera data and 4.1 Highlights of Danish Space the physics of airborne dust. The Mars Research Simulation Laboratory in Aarhus is a derivative of this work and now provides The Panel felt that particularly high a European facility for simulation of quality research was being carried out surface conditions on Mars. within the fields of Space Medicine and Astronomy and also in relation to Mars. Some aspects of Danish Earth Observa- Space medicine research involves only tion research are also very good, particu- the small group in the Department of larly those related to GPS occultations Biomedical Sciences at Copenhagen and Geomagnetism, and some Danish University, but these researchers are very groups have had successful involvement active within their field and produce with a number of space missions. The work of very good scientific quality. Danish satellite Ørsted is still operational Within the field of Astronomy, research 9 years after its launch, despite having a activities within the Asteroseismology projected lifetime of only 2 years. In its group at Aarhus University and the Dark development stages, this mission inspired Cosmology Centre at NBI are particu- many useful national collaborations larly noteworthy, but Danish activities between Danish companies and research in this field are almost uniformly good. departments. Other highlights include Danish Astronomy is well-represented in DTU-Space’s leading involvement international collaborations, especially with SWARM and participation in the for the Kepler and Planck missions: the Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor Physics and Astronomy Department at (ASIM) and Soil Moisture and Ocean Aarhus University will host the Science Salinity (SMOS) missions, together with Data Centre for Kepler, and DTU-Space DMI’s work as a European leader in is PI for the Planck mirror system. modelling of microwave signatures of Danish astronomers also hold important snow and ice. positions in a number of ESA committees. The involvement of Denmark in There are a number of excellent Danish the NASA Mars programme initiated by research groups who use space at some Prof. Jens-Martin Knudsen is an obvious level but not to a great extent, such as highlight in the planetary sciences the Ice and Climate group at NBI. In domain – especially in the light of the this manner, some of Denmark’s space recent Phoenix landing. The Danish activity is very fragmentary, which makes teams were originally involved in the assessment difficult. The Panel also

34 found that some groups may have, for 4.2 Weaknesses of Danish instance, very good ties with industry or Space Research international collaborations which again are not strictly space-related. A good Many groups suffer from being suscep- example of this is the Wind Energy group tible to loss of staff and several are close at Risø-DTU, which has close industrial to, if not below, “critical mass”, which cooperation relating to wind turbine could jeopardise individual projects as manufacture, but not within the realm of well as overall viability. Groups at Risø- their space activities. DTU have appreciated this problem and taken steps to address it by ensuring that In terms of best practice, the Dark every research project involves at least 2 Cosmology Centre at NBI makes excel- senior scientists. Unfortunately, this is not lent provision for PhD students and the case in many Danish research groups. young researchers and as a result, boasts It should be obvious, but must nonethe- an international community of postgradu- less be stated, that Danish space research ates that are extraordinarily confident, cannot cover all aspects, and hence mature, ambitious and well-motivated. emphasis in specific fields is necessary. Senior staff members of this group are This is not straightforward to accomplish, extremely active in public outreach in particular because Denmark will have activities and also show a willingness only a relatively small influence on the to become involved with the future of direction of European space research. Danish space activities on a broader Hence, this requires on the one hand level. Examples are through managing careful long-term planning and on the the Instrument Centre for Danish Astro- other a certain degree of flexibility in physics (IDA) and proposing plans for how researchers adapt or modify their the future of space science across the research topics to address the science of whole of Copenhagen University. In current and future missions. general, the Danish Astronomy community is very proactive and benefits from In general, there is a huge variation in having a number of strong leaders. This the level of planning which accompanies was the only space-related research field Danish space activities: some groups for which the Panel was shown a plan have little or no strategy and operate on a spanning the next 10 years which all purely opportunistic basis; others produce interested parties had contributed to. “road maps” as a matter of course. Strategic planning is more common on a department level but this does not tend to extend to space science groups within the department. Many groups are also unfamiliar with the process of review and

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 35 evaluation, such as the production of the space groups who want to become self-evaluation document, and even those properly involved with ESA projects. with excellent future planning procedures To aid with such activities, there should do not appear to evaluate their progress be a reasonable earmarked budget that as a matter of course. would allocate (on a competitive basis) funding for Danish participation in ESA In the field of Earth Observation, some projects, and include support for early groups appear isolated and lack coordi- involvement with space missions i.e. to nation. Those involved purely as users finance mission design, development of of processed data in this field have no instrumentation and subsequent exploita- influence whatsoever on how the ESA tion of data. Such research is difficult to programme will develop due to a lack fund under the current Danish system as of involvement in the planning stages of competitive peer-reviewed grant applica- space missions. tions for these activities are unlikely to be successful. Thus, an improved funding system must be put in place, which can 4.3 Funding account for the special prerequisites under which today’s space research is A number of groups mentioned that being carried out. As noted in the recom- their national funding had diminished mendations (see Section 5.1) this funding following the loss of the dedicated scheme should preferably contain both funds for “ESA follow up” research, a national budget and an increased i.e. exploiting the data from the various subscription to the PRODEX programme missions. Although funds remain of ESA. Any new system should allow earmarked for space research within two formal funding commitments to be put other research councils, many groups into place for projects once they have feel that they are worse off now that they been approved both by ESA and at a must compete for funds in free compe- national level. Where appropriate, this tition with all science and technology budget line should be able to provide proposals. Many groups also noted the sustained support over a period of years. impossibility of securing long term space funding for research projects in Denmark. The merger of the Danish National Space This is felt to be a serious hindrance Centre and Risø National Laboratory into to Danish involvement with ESA and DTU was felt to have made funding PhD NASA proposals, which often require a students more difficult. Many research significant proportion of the funding for groups operate a 1/3 funding scheme, a project to be in place at an early stage where 1/3 of PhD funding should come in the proceedings. The current funding from the university and the remaining 2/3 system in Denmark is ill-suited to Danish from other bodies. In the past, govern-

36 ment institutes such as the National Space government research institutes and Centre or Risø would have been a natural universities closer together. The merger source for some or all of this external of many government research institu- funding, and the student would be shared tions with universities has caused signifi- with this institute. With the absorption cant upheaval and in many instances, of these bodies into DTU, such funding research groups are still in the process of possibilities have been removed and it is coming to terms with their new roles. As perceived as much more difficult, or even a government research institute, DNSC impossible, to share a PhD student with was in a position to take on long-term another university. commitments and interact with industry. An institute with the freedom to do this is Many of the more technological space a national asset, but the merger with DTU research groups in Denmark are funded has created a very different body and it significantly by consultancy work. These is uncertain whether DTU-Space is fitted groups find it difficult to attract national for such tasks. The Panel could not see research funds as their work is often how Danish space science would benefit deemed to be too close to industry or from this reorganisation, even in the long too application-oriented. Unfortunately, run, which has so far caused a signifi- consultancy work is often routine, of a cant number of problems. Researchers short term nature and difficult to publish were almost uniformly confused about due to confidentiality agreements or the motivation for the reorganisation and time constraints. Many of these groups many issues arising from this merger still are currently in a situation where they need to be addressed. These include, but are reliant on consultancy work for their are not limited to, the teaching commit- funding and their level of involvement ments for staff that were previously part with this is hindering their basic research of a government institution, the situa- activities to an unacceptable degree. It tion as regards contracts and IP rights is difficult for such groups to envisage a now that these institutions are part of a way out of this cycle as this would result university, the timescale for the reloca- in a funding hiatus. At present however, tion of various groups and the fate of the much of their activity sits uncomfortably Microwave Technology Group, which in a university environment. has stayed at Elektro-DTU while its close partner, the Remote Sensing Group, is now part of DTU-Space. These mergers 4.4 Recent Reorganisation appear to have been rushed and some staff feel that they were ill-informed This review took place in the wake of throughout the process. Groups outside a period of restructuring of research in DTU felt that their existing collabora- Denmark, which was intended to bring tions with them had suffered, too.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 37 In addition to this national merger policy, a part in the decision-making. The fact various university departments involved that Danish industry has moved away with space science had recently under- from the Space Consortium and formed gone their own reorganisations. In many the Danish Space Cluster is also indica- cases, such restructuring was intended tive of some fragmentation within this to strengthen research activities, but the body. DTU-Space appears to devote Panel was left with the impression that significant effort towards running the there are still many very small space- Consortium, so this lack of confidence related research groups. As a result of and the level of suspicion that is directed all these reorganisations, this evaluation at them is doubly unfortunate. The Space took place at a period of considerable Consortium has served a purpose, but it uncertainty within the Danish space is imperative that this is now replaced science community. with a formal structure independent of DTU-Space, with a clear mandate, agreed Terms of Reference and an appropriate 4.5 Danish Space reviewing system. Consortium 4.6 Human Potential The Space Consortium polarised opinion across Danish research groups: some were happy with their representation 4.6.1 Young Researchers and felt that it was a useful body, whilst others felt that their involvement was not PhD students carrying out space research worthwhile. One of the reasons for the in Denmark are very well supported; creation of this body was to fill a vacuum all the PhD students who were ques- created by the loss of the Danish Space tioned by the Panel felt that they had Research Advisory Board. Whilst the adequate funds for travel to conferences Consortium was acknowledged to be a and fieldwork and were actively encour- useful means of disseminating relevant aged to present and publish their work. space research information, the spirit of However, the future prospects of PhD compromise which rules their decision- students wishing to stay within academia making was felt to lead to results that vary widely between different institutions play to none of Denmark’s strengths. The and different fields of research. It is much credibility of the body was also called harder to get any security in the academic into question following the merger of the job market within fields with little direct Danish National Space Centre and DTU, industrial competition for people with with many parties expressing suspicion these competencies, such as Astronomy, that perceived vested interests played than within fields with strong industrial

38 competition, such as Geophysics. In for a long time unless specific measures fields with strong industrial competi- are put into place to make academia more tion, young researchers are often offered attractive to women. There is a lack of permanent academic positions after role models for younger women in most having one or even no post-doctoral places; the self-evaluation documents appointments. In such cases, they will not indicated that there is currently only one have proved themselves or established female at professorial level involved an independent scientific reputation and with space research. Some groups (most profile, and may not even be the best notably those at NBI) displayed aware- people for the job. Although this offers ness of this issue but other environments job security, it can hinder career develop- felt very male dominated, particularly in ment, particularly if these researchers engineering (the Panel did not meet any then struggle to find time to publish or female engineers at any level).However, are prohibited from publishing due to the some important initiatives are in place demands of the consultancy work with to help young women researchers. For which they are involved. The opposite example, Danish PhD students receive a extreme, where people cannot expect salary with an entitlement to maternity to get a permanent position, especially leave, which is unusual in comparison within Denmark, for many years is also with many other countries in Europe. A undesirable. In this case, there is a real number of the postgraduates the Panel danger of losing talented researchers met had taken advantage of this. from Denmark, or even from academia altogether, along the way. 4.7 Education

4.6.2 Women in Space Science It is natural that the greatest influence on undergraduate education should come The overwhelming majority of academic from those space science groups that space scientists in Denmark are male. are both large and well-established in The gender imbalance is less pronounced a University environment. This means at postgraduate level, although students that those that have recently become working on more technical research part of a University, together with some topics are predominantly male. The of the smaller groups, who only have increased numbers of women at lower limited contact with undergraduates, may levels may mean the imbalance lessens struggle to attract PhD students. This as they progress through the system, but is a particular problem in fields where experience elsewhere suggests “leaky there is strong competition for graduates pipelines” as well as “glass ceilings” will from industry, such as Space Technology mean the ratio will stay far from unity and Geophysics. In such fields, groups

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 39 may have to attract students from over- to set up their own education scheme and seas. Following the assessment criteria that he himself will manage PhD educa- in the Terms of Reference5, the Panel tion. As mentioned in Section 4.3, some has chosen to concentrate on education groups feel that the recent reorganisation related to fundamental research i.e. from of the structure of Danish research will PhD level upwards. Although training in affect their ability to fund PhD students research and teaching research methods through the 1/3 funding scheme. can be part of BSc and MSc degrees, the Panel felt that this was not strictly “research-based education”. However, 4.8 International activities related to BSc and MSc education have been considered in the evalu- Involvement and ations of the individual research groups Collaboration presented in Appendix A.1. The extent and nature of international Denmark is one of many countries collaborations with which Danish with plans to produce more PhDs, but groups are involved varies widely across it remains to be seen whether such different research programmes. Within increases will prove beneficial to society. the Astronomy, Research under Space There is currently a drive to increase Conditions and Exploration programmes, by 50% the number of postgraduates Danish groups are often active part- in Denmark by 2010 and many space- ners or leaders in international space related research groups expect to gain projects. Some groups are also actively students as part of this. This policy involved in Earth Observation projects should help research groups to attract on an international level and notable more PhD students, although in some successes are highlighted in Section 4.1. cases these plans need further thought. Within the Communications, Naviga- Groups such as those at Risø-DTU and tion, Geodynamics and Geodesy and DTU-Space will be expected to take on Space Technology programmes, some board large numbers of new PhD students Danish researchers are not as active in the near future, even though they do internationally. This may be related to not have a strong tradition of PhD educa- the current Danish funding situation; tion. Care needs to be taken to ensure that for example, Denmark has very limited these students receive adequate support. involvement with Galileo. At present, the To this end, the Director of DTU-Space Danish funding framework is ill-suited to informed the Panel that DTU-Space plan supporting participation in ESA projects

5 The Terms of Reference state that the assessment of the quality and relevance of the research should be based on various criteria, including “delivery of research-based education and teaching to universities and research institutions”.

40 (as noted in Section 4.3) and this will tion to optional programmes such as inevitably have an impact on the nature PRODEX or GSTP may help to boost and scope of international collaborations. both industrial cooperation with ESA and national collaborations between research Danish groups involved with Mars groups and industry. This would also research collaborate particularly well on provide an incentive for Danish industry a national level. Within this field, there and research institutions to align their is a lot of communication between the priorities. These ESA programmes also researchers involved and many publi- have the largest spin-off factor (although cations from the various groups have the small contribution made to these co-authors from other Danish institutions. programmes will tend to skew these Within other fields of space science, results), so one might expect an increase national cooperation does not seem as in such contributions to have a positive common, and in some cases other groups impact on the Danish economy. within Denmark are seen as competition rather than potential collaborators. This The Danish ESA contribution to the was not the case during the development mandatory programmes is fixed and stages of the Ørsted satellite, when both Denmark currently has a significant Danish research groups and companies under return in this area. It is important worked together effectively towards a that steps are taken to improve this geo- common goal. Unfortunately, the national return, otherwise Denmark will continue collaborations which were built up to lose money to these programmes through this project appear to have waned and reducing the contribution is not an subsequently. option.

4.9 Industrial Cooperation with ESA

It is Danish government policy not to finance private companies, although funding is available for collaboration with universities. The inability of Danish research councils to support work in industry, in addition to Denmark’s small contribution to PRODEX, currently makes significant instrument provision difficult. Increasing the Danish subscrip-

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 41 RECOMMENDATIONS

The Panel has suggested below some and be designed to comply with the recommendations for both Danish space general implementation rules of the research and the overall Danish space projects in question. effort. Readers should recall that this evaluation covers only space science • In addition to the reintroduction activities, which are a relatively minor of earmarked ESA related national component of the research carried out funding, the Panel recommends an by several of the groups we visited and increase in the Danish contribution comment on in this report. to PRODEX (and perhaps GSTP) as a practical means of facilitating the development (by industry and/or 5.1 Recommendations for research groups) of scientific instruments for future ESA missions. Again, Danish Space Research the decision to fund projects should be made on the basis of peer review, In addition to specific recommendations following ESA approval. for each of the participating research groups, which are included in the indi- • Efforts must be made to strengthen vidual reports in Appendix A.1, the groups where space research is Panel has the following general recom- currently spread too thin and for whom mendations relating to space research in the loss of key personnel would be Denmark: fatal. In some cases, further staff are required, in others additional perma- • The Panel believes that Danish space nent positions are needed to bolster research would benefit from the rein- current activities. As a priority, various statement of earmarked funding for research groups working on Mars, ESA related research. This funding and the Space Physiology group at should allow participation in ESA Copenhagen University should be projects, if appropriate from the stage strengthened as recommended in the of proposal writing to provision of individual site reports (see Appendices instruments and subsequent exploita- A.1.1, A.1.5 and A.1.9). Sub-critical tion of data. The funding decisions mass research groups/teams must be should be made by an “independent” encouraged (if not forced) to establish body (or bodies), be based on an initial larger working groups with common scientific peer-review and take into long-term strategies. account any national programmatic considerations (strategy, available • Further support should be provided to budget etc). The funding scheme must Mars research. Whilst the quality of further allow long-term commitments this research is very good across the

42 country, several groups require urgent extent and form of industrial involve- strengthening through the employment. This kind of innovative techno- ment of additional staff. To date, logical research/development is neces- these groups have had little success sary for research groups to become in acquiring funds for collaborative actively involved with space missions, projects involving several institu- and such activity must get reasonable tions; the Panel recommends that and timely funding. The Panel’s criti- further efforts are made to secure such cism of some university groups applies funding. not to such work, but to activities of a non-innovative nature. • University groups should ensure that their commitments to routine consul- • Danish research groups must make tancy and service work do not over- more effort to instigate national whelm their research activity. Any collaborations, exploiting the different excessive routine consultancy work strengths and competencies in should wherever possible be moved various institutions. The Panel felt into industry, or spin-off companies that Astronomy groups in particular should be formed to perform this. As could benefit from an increased level well as boosting Danish industry, this of national collaboration involving will free up time for researchers to the technical expertise of DTU-Space spend doing basic research and will and the scientific excellence of both reduce the level of research funding the Dark Cosmology Centre at NBI from commercial contracts, which and the Astronomy group at Aarhus is often short term and leaves little University. There is a historical legacy opportunity for dissemination of that needs to be overcome to achieve results. The Panel is not advocating a this collaboration, but the Panel feels complete separation of research from that these groups would derive mutual space technology and consultancy, benefit from such an arrangement once which have a valuable symbiosis, but the necessary partnerships are estab- rather a situation where strong ties lished. are established between university departments who carry out research • Steps should be taken as soon as and innovative technological develop- possible to address the problems ment, and spin-off companies/industry resulting from the recent reorganisa- who carry out routine consultancy and tion of Danish space research. These commercial work. The nature of the should include, but not necessarily activity (and whether the development be confined to: clarification of the concerns prototypes or flight hard- teaching responsibilities of staff ware) will necessarily determine the who were previously members of

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 43 research institutions; determination 5.2 Recommendations for of a timescale for the co-location of various departments involved with the Danish Space Effort the mergers; and reconsideration of the decision for the separation of the With regard to the overall Danish Remote Sensing and Microwave Tech- Space effort, the Panel recommends the nology Groups between DTU-Space following: and Elektro-DTU respectively. • Denmark must draw up a national • Guidelines for IP rights and drawing space strategy to provide a focus for up industrial contracts need to be its efforts in this area. The planning of established in a number of departments the Danish ESA contributions must be including Elektro-DTU, Risø-DTU based on this strategy, which should and DTU-Space. At present the system take into account university strengths, appears to be somewhat ad hoc, and industrial activities, public needs and would benefit from an official policy user communities. To this end, this or a university contracts department to report and the recommendations of take care of this work. the Panel should prove useful. Imple- mentation of this national strategy will • Each group involved with space involve establishing a framework and research should be encouraged to draw committee structure. The minimum up a strategy for the future in addition requirements for such a structure are to any planning which may occur on outlined in some of the recommenda- a departmental or higher level. These tions below. strategies should be synthesised with a national strategy. Space research • As described in Section 5.1, the groups should also be encouraged to Panel recommends an increase in the carry out regular self-evaluation. Danish subscription to the PRODEX programme in addition to the rein- statement of national funds to support ESA-related research. PRODEX funding should be for experiment development and related research should be funded by national scientific agencies.

• The Panel recommends investing further in Galileo. This programme is expected to run over a period of

44 decades and has many associated soci- Energy, which does not have respon- etal benefits and funding opportunities. sibility for space policy. A formal Special emphasis should also be put on consultation mechanism should there- FP7/EC/GSA funding opportunities. fore be established at ministerial level, to ensure that space aspects of the • If the Danish ESA contribution is activity at DMI are considered by the increased, then the Panel recommends Ministry for Science, Technology and investing further in the Earth Obser- Innovation with regard to space policy. vation and Exploration programmes, since Danish industry and research • The Panel heard on several occasions groups have the competencies and that use of industry for flight hardware capacity to be able to benefit from this development was rejected because increased funding. industry was not considered good enough. We recommend that some • An appropriate body must be estab- form of “industrial day” be established lished to carry out activities which which compares what scientists want would normally be undertaken by a in the near-future with what industry National Space Agency; DTU-Space can provide. currently takes responsibility for many of these duties. The Panel recommends that the Space Consortium be replaced by an independent committee whose members have knowledge of space activities, with Terms of Reference including giving advice to government and carrying out these duties. This committee could also be the decision- making body that determines which projects are to be funded through PRODEX or any other space budget. However, any new system which is introduced must be transparent. At the moment, many groups seem uncertain as to how the system operates, which hinders their involvement with space activities.

• DMI is now a government institute under the Ministry for Climate and

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 45 A APPENDICES

A.1 Individual Reports tion of the quality of the group’s activity6. These grades assess the quality of the for the Research effort from each group under each of the Institutions Visited criteria listed above, accounting for the characteristics of the particular research The following reports contain an assess- field of that group. For example, research ment of the group’s achievement in performed in the field of Astronomy each of the areas outlined in Section is unlikely to have the same level of 1.1: Publications and impact; scientific societal relevance as that performed in quality; education; career development Earth Observation, but grades are given for young researchers; industrial coopera- in relation to what would be expected tion; funding; international collaboration for an Astronomy/Earth Observation and societal and economic relevance. research group. Peer-reviewed journal Marks are awarded according to the publication is not as important in rapidly following scale: evolving fields such as Communications, Navigation, Geodynamics and Geodesy 1 Extremely Poor and so again, a grade for publications and impact for such groups has been assigned 2 Very Poor bearing this in mind.

3 Poor Some of the bigger space research groups consist of several rather different 4 Average subgroups. In such cases, the grades assigned to each group are an average, 5 Good but the accompanying text of the report aims to highlight any subgroups whose 6 Very Good contribution is judged to differ significantly from the average grades that 7 Excellent have been assigned. The grades for the different aspects of a research group’s It is difficult to assign specific grades for activity are provided in a table at the each research group, and thus the marks end of each individual report. This table given should be viewed only as an indica- also contains comments about the group,

6 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel haslearnt that after the reorganisation of Danish research structure, Danish universities are now obliged to carry out research-based consultancy and that this is ranked as being equally important as research-based education and teaching. The Panel has aimed to judge the research activity of a group, and grades will therefore reveal instances where research activity is hindered by the level of routine consultancy work. However, the Panel accepts that this is in some respects a reflection of the funding environment within which some groups exist.

46 which are intended only as comments, an “absolute” viewpoint, assessing the and should not be interpreted as justifica- merits of each group’s contribution, tion for the grade assigned. including their space technology activities. The publication rates which have been provided for the research groups are not A grade is also given to describe the all directly comparable. In some cases, group’s importance overall in Danish the self-evaluation documents provided space research i.e. a measure of the information about the proportion of each impact that this group has had. In some researcher’s time which is devoted to cases, we also comment on future poten- space activities, and in such cases this tial, but the grade does not reflect this. information is incorporated into the Again, a range of 1-7 is used, but here 7 publication rate, which is then quoted per is the most important and 1 least impor- full-time staff member equivalent, rather tant. than per staff member. Readers should also note that the publication rate is not always quoted over the entire review A.1.1 Department of Biomedical period; if this is not the case, then the Sciences, University of relevant time period is stated. “Publica- Copenhagen tions and impact” is assessed on the basis of space-related publications that were The Gravitational and Space Physi- produced at the institution in question ology group at Copenhagen University during the review period, not on the basis is a small group within the Biomedical of the publication record of researchers Sciences department consisting of one who are currently members of the group. professor, a laboratory technician, 2 PhD students and one research student. With regard to education, the Panel has These researchers perform research under chosen to concentrate on that related to space conditions, specifically related to fundamental research i.e. from PhD level the regulation of the human renal and upwards, rather than training in research cardiovascular systems. This group is and teaching research methods, which part of a larger Renal and Cardiovascular can be part of BSc and MSc degrees. division within the department. In total, Nonetheless, BSc and MSc education has the Biomedical Sciences department has not been ignored, and noteworthy contri- approximately 250 employees and 50 butions to undergraduate teaching are permanent positions. mentioned. Space science activities within the As stated in section 1.1, this evaluation Department of Biomedical Sciences are primarily judges space research from well-integrated into the faculty system

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 47 and are regarded by both the Department (PFS) developed by Damec Research and Faculty as an asset. The Gravitational Aps for use on the ISS (now available and Space Physiology group is dynamic commercially under the name Innocor) and enthusiastic and Prof. P. Norsk gives was tested by the group, who also deliver popular undergraduate lectures. Given consultancy services to third parties inter- the small group size, there is a healthy ested in using this equipment. Innocor level of PhD and MSc production, with equipment is also used in ground-based 2 current PhD students and one MSc experiments and clinically, and official student who is shared with a Swedish certification is currently being sought institution. The group is actively involved to make its use in hospitals more wide- in outreach and this involvement extends spread. to Prof. P. Norsk pushing at government level for a Danish astronaut to raise the The group has attracted a relatively profile of Danish space research. constant level of funding over the period of the review, albeit with some variation The scientific quality of the group’s in the proportions of internal and external research is good, with a reasonably large funding. They are actively pursuing number of publications in leading inter- new funding opportunities and their national physiology journals. Access to future plans and research strategy are data from space shuttle and space station clear. There is ample scope for diversi- missions is impressive and the group is fication of the group’s activities should currently involved with 3 experiments they choose to do this. At present, the aboard the International Space Station group is heavily dependent on Prof. P. (ISS). Applications of their research Norsk, who does not occupy a perma- extend beyond ensuring the health of nent position. The Head of Department astronauts. For example, their findings has plans to address this by seeking a may have utility in the clinical manage- permanent professorship in this area and ment of heart failure patients. The group an additional position if the group should actively collaborates with international continue its present success7. research institutions, mainly for experiments and simulation studies, and has excellent ties to the Danish company Damec Research Aps, whose facilities are used by the group during space experiments. The Pulmonary Function System

7 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel haslearnt that the 5 year professorship in Gravitational and Space Physiology will be extended into a tenured position after it expires in 2011, and that Prof. P. Norsk has obtained tenure at the department either as a professor or associate professor.

48 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Average publication rate of 3.7 papers/year/staff member in the 5 review period. Publications are in leading physiology journals, with an average impact factor of 3.8. • A total of 425 citations over the period.

Scientific quality • Research has applications beyond space. 6 • Internationally recognized, high quality basic research. • Impressive access to data from space missions. • Involved with 3 current experiments on ISS.

Education • An average of 1.8 PhD students per staff member during the review 6 period. • After graduation, students remaining in academia often continue working with the group. • Popular undergraduate teaching.

Career development for • Students encouraged to publish during their PhD/MSc projects and 5 young researchers to present at conferences. • Students protected from administrative chores by group leader.

Industrial collaboration • Excellent ties with Damec Research Aps, but research is not reliant 5 on this collaboration.

Funding • Maintained at a fairly constant level over review period. 5 • Current funding is dependent on participation in space experiments. • Actively seeking new funding.

International cooperation • Active partner in a number of international collaborations. 5

Societal and Economic • Research findings may influence clinical management of heart 5 relevance failure patients.

Overall • Small, well-integrated group with a dynamic leader. 5 • Clear strategy and plans for the future.

Importance to Danish • Only Danish participant in the Research under Space Conditions 4 space research programme.

Recommendations • Strengthen the group by seeking at least a permanent professorship.7

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 49 A.1.2 Aalborg University Space current space activity is related to student Centre (AUSC) satellite projects, in which many MSc and BSc students participate, and to ESA AUSC is a virtual centre, which spans Earth Observation projects. Over the the Departments of Electronic Systems, review period, the leadership for these Mechanical Engineering, Computer satellite projects passed from Prof. R. Science, Mathematical Sciences, Energy Wisniewski to Assoc. Prof. J. Dalsgaard Technology and Physics and Nanote- Nielsen but without any obvious sharing chnology at Aalborg University. AUSC of previous experience. The Centre was inaugurated in April 2004, and the achieves most of its international collabo- self-evaluation document covers space ration through these satellite projects activities at AUSC since its inauguration and many students spend time abroad in together with details of space activities participating institutions. Undergraduate at Aalborg University prior to 2004 that and MSc education in these depart- were volunteered by current AUSC staff. ments is excellent and a high propor- 5 professors are currently involved part- tion of students come from overseas. time (10-50%) with the Centre, together The project-based teaching style attracts with 3 lecturers, 3 research assistants, good students and makes their graduates 3 post-doctoral researchers and 5 PhD appealing to industry. Unfortunately, it is students; their research mainly falls into therefore difficult to retain students for the categories of Space Technology and PhD studies. The existence of the Space Earth Observation. The Department of Centre has little impact on PhD students Electronic Systems hosts AUSC and has who feel more involved with their depart- approximately 250 staff members and ment. PhD students in total. It consists of 8 research sections, of which Automation Although the Space Centre has good and Control (CONTROL) and Naviga- contacts with industry, they have found tion and Communications (NAVCOM) it difficult to forge lasting collaborations have the most involvement with AUSC. with companies. Opportunities from previous activity, such as the attitude The main reason for setting up AUSC control system for the Ørsted satellite, was so that space activities at Aalborg seem to have been missed. The group has University could benefit from the combi- a good network of contacts, particularly nation of competencies within the depart- through Prof. P. Høeg, but no clearly ments involved. The Centre’s activities defined plan for collaboration with other are project-oriented and individual staff research institutes. It was mentioned members take responsibility for organ- that the Centre is involved in the ASIM ising their own teams to work on partic- and collaborates with DTU-Space on ular research projects. However, most the student built Cubesat AAUSAT-II

50 (launched on 28 April 2008 from India)8. Panel felt rather that the problem is the However, the Centre is not – for what- Centre’s lack of a clear mission. Since ever reason – involved in the SWARM individual departments have their own mission, first proposed by DTU-Space, science strategies, and the University and has not so far had any concrete does not prioritise space activities, it participation in Proba 3. The Centre has will clearly be a challenge to establish a recently put more effort into producing solid strategy for the Centre as a whole. peer-reviewed publications. To be successful, one or two individuals will need to take the lead and generate Funding for space-related research the necessary enthusiasm to support a projects carried out through the Centre joint initiative. However, the Panel feels is almost entirely external, with internal that the potential of AUSC is high, with funding covering salaries and PhD a good number of staff in cutting-edge students. Proportions of internal and research areas close to industry. external funding appeared to vary widely between the different research sections contained within the Centre. Although space is not a priority research area in Aalborg, the University is willing to contribute to basic research funds once external funding has been secured. The structure of the Space Centre, spanning a number of departments within Aalborg University, seems to hinder strategic planning and decision making. Although the individual departments have well- defined scientific goals, and regular meet- ings to decide future strategy regarding research and recruitment, this does not appear to be emulated within the Space Centre. The group felt that they were in need of a formal organisation in order to progress, but following the site visit the

8 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel hasbeen told that AUSC is involved with the high precision GPS instrument GRAS for the ESA METOP mission. However, no further information about this involvement was given in twhe group’s self-evaluation document, or during the site visit, and the Panel have therefore been unable to include this activity in their evaluation.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 51 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Since the inauguration of AUSC in 2004, the average publication rate 4 is 1 space-related, peer-reviewed paper/year/full time staff member. All the current members of staff are only attached part time to the Centre (space-related research is only a part of group members’ research). • Average journal impact factor for these papers is 0.72. • Peer-reviewed space-related publications produced since the inauguration of AUSC have received 38 citations.

Scientific quality • Involvement with space relates to GPS radio occultations, 4 troposphere turbulence, automation and control systems, material science and student satellite projects. • Attitude control system for Ørsted is a highlight of their space activities.

Education • Significant involvement with student satellite projects. 5 • Graduates are very attractive to industry.

Career development for • Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their work at an 4 young researchers early stage. • Comprehensive PhD review programme.

Industrial collaboration • Struggled to form lasting collaborations with companies. 3

Funding • External funding mainly from ESA. 4 • Proportions of internal and external funding vary widely between different research sectors.

International cooperation • Minor partner in a limited number of international collaborations, 4 mainly related to student satellite projects.

Societal and economic • Research very applied, so many applications exist, but space activi- 3 relevance ties not fully capitalized upon.

Overall • Yet to reach full potential. 4 • AUSC suffers from the lack of a clear mission and needs one or two individuals to take the lead and generate the necessary enthusiasm to support a joint initiative.

52 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Importance to Danish • Technological research and development supporting a number 4 space research of other activities. Existing expertise could potentially be exploited in a more efficient manner.

Recommendations • Develop a space research strategy in order to capitalise fully on competencies and resources available. • Continue to place more importance on peer-reviewed publications, in order to raise the profile of the group. • Direct further efforts towards attracting external funding, particularly by looking beyond ESA to other funding bodies.

A.1.3 Danish GPS Centre (DGC) the field. The MSc programme developed at the centre attracts 3-7 international The Danish GPS Centre (DGC) at students per year and has been exported Aalborg University is very small, with to other institutions around the world. a current staff of one Professor, one However, the Centre appears to have associate professor, 3 post-doctoral little interaction with other researchers researchers and one PhD student. DGC in its department, nor with other depart- is a virtual centre created within the ments at the University, despite having Department of Electronic Systems, which previously been housed in one of them. has a total staff (including PhD students) This isolation is exacerbated by the of approximately 250 people. DGC’s fact that DGC staff currently have no research falls into the broad category of undergraduate teaching involvement. Communications, Navigation, Geody- Collaboration with other research institu- namics and Geodesy. tions within Denmark is also limited, but cooperation with Danish industry is very Although small, the Danish GPS Centre good, extending to the Centre providing is internationally well-recognised. The teaching and training for industrial group has produced popular open source groups. A strong collaboration exists software and Prof. K. Borre is co-author between Prof. K. Borre and Prof. P. Enge of a number of important textbooks in at Stanford University, which has also led

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 53 to the formation of a spin-off company, is bound by confidentiality agreements, from which the University stands to leaves little opportunity for publica- benefit financially. tion, and, also precludes its presentation at conferences. This situation does not The group is suffering from a lack of extend to the current PhD student, who funding, and has struggled to attract is encouraged to present and publish his national research funds. Prof. K. Borre work. Given the extent of the commer- feels that important opportunities have cial activities currently carried out by the been missed because funding agencies group, a University environment may not have failed to recognise the potential be the most appropriate for the Centre. of the Centre’s work. At present, the The Panel was left with the impression University funds one staff member and of a group with obvious and recognised a PhD student; external funding, mainly skills but without a clear future. through contracts, provides the salaries of the other four staff members and covers all other costs. These externally funded salaries amount to a succession of short term contracts with strict confidentiality conditions. This dependence on funding from project work has shaped the GPS Centre so that it sits uneasily in a Univer- sity environment in its current form; the sustainability of this situation is doubtful.

The Panel has concerns about the small size of the group, which is heavily dependent on Prof. K. Borre, and were unclear as to its future when he retires. The other staff members, who are heavily involved with project work for industry, are not well-integrated within the University system. This concentration on commercial activities, much of which

9 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel haslearnt that AUSC has been involved since 2006 with an initiative called “Vækstforum for rumteknologi”, which aims to facilitate knowledge transfer from research institutes to small companies. There is no further information about this initiative in the group’s self-evaluation document, nor in the presentations which were given during the site visit, and the Panel has therefore been unable to fully consider this as part of the evaluation.

54 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Amongst staff, only Prof. K. Borre publishes. 5 • Produce heavily accessed open source software and Prof. K. Borre has co-authored a number of important text books.

Scientific quality • Difficult to judge due to lack of publications, but group has a good 5 international profile and members make many presentations at conferences.

Education • Only involved with MSc and PhD education. 3 • International MSc course used by other institutions.

Career development for • Staff are employed on short term contracts. 2 young researchers

Industrial collaboration • Most of their activities are carried out in collaboration with industry. 5 • Collaboration with Stanford University has led to the formation of a spin-off company.

Funding • Many staff are funded from a series of short term industrial 3 contracts. • Lack of funding.

International cooperation • Prof. K. Borre has ties to Prof. P. Enge at Stanford University and 5 other European and international universities.

Societal and economic • Provide teaching and products for industrial groups. 5 relevance • Tackling key problems in satellite navigation.

Overall • Group sits uncomfortably in a University environment with its 4 current level of commercial activity. • Very little interaction between this group and others within the University – extremely isolated. • Heavily reliant on Prof. K. Borre, no current plans for the group following his retirement.

Importance to Danish • Key Danish participant in the Communications, Navigation, 5 space research Geodynamics and Geodesy programme – disciplines with growth expectations. • Could be a key Danish participant in the Galileo program.

Recommendations • In order to survive, need to increase group size and identify a s uccessor to Prof. K. Borre with a proven ability to work successfully in an academic environment. • Reduce the group’s reliance on commercial contracts.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 55 A.1.4 Department of Physics and many high-quality, well-cited papers. The Astronomy, University of group is actively involved in international Aarhus collaborations, and has taken responsibility for the Asteroseismic data analysis The Department of Physics and for Kepler. In addition, the group is well- Astronomy at Aarhus University represented in working groups for Planck currently includes 2 professors, 4 perma- and PLATO and in the AMS collabora- nent associate professors, 3 post-doctoral tion. The importance of being involved researchers and 2 PhD students whose with mission proposals from the earliest research is space-related. Space science stages of planning is recognised; the activities are mainly carried out in the group is largely successful in achieving Astronomy group, which has 6 of the 35 this participation. The group presently permanent positions within the depart- has no plans to build space instruments ment and approximately 20% of the PhD and therefore no current industrial students. cooperation. However, they supported the plans to build the Rømer satellite and Space science activities in the Depart- were involved with instrument specifica- ment of Physics and Astronomy are tions in collaboration with Danish and well-integrated within the department Australian industry. as a whole and the merger between the Physics and Astronomy departments The group is well-funded by the Univer- in 1992 seems to have been successful sity and external sources, although the and appreciated. There is an excellent difficulty in obtaining both adequate relationship between staff at all levels, and long term funding under the current including PhD students. The group is Danish system was emphasised as a vibrant and well-managed and benefits general problem. These latter shortcom- from the stability afforded by 6 perma- ings were seen as a potential obstacle to nent faculty positions. Research within becoming formally involved in future Asteroseismology is at the leading ESA programmes. Though the group edge in this field internationally and the mentioned having better access to theoretical work in Cosmology, based project funding through PRODEX as on WMAP and Planck, is also of inter- a possibility, this only funds hardware national standard. The small amount development. The group noted that a of effort expended on “strangelets” is lack of administrative support limits interesting, but difficult to judge due their research activities. Senior staff are to the intrinsically risky nature of the also heavily involved with committee science involved and the as yet uncertain work, including currently Chairing launch of AMS. The publication record the Danish Natural Science Research for the department is excellent, with council and membership of several

56 ESA committees and working groups. The group has a good proportion of the PhD students within the department as a whole, although the majority are externally funded due to internally funded students choosing to study different areas of physics. 11 PhD students in this department are part of the Danish Astrophysics Research School (DARS), which was formed to provide a framework for course activity and research training in Astrophysics at national level. DARS involves Aarhus University, the Dark Cosmology Centre and the Nordic Optical Telescope. The Head of DARS is based at Aarhus University, and in addition the bulk of the course activity for PhD education through DARS is delivered and organised by scientists in the department. PhD students routinely publish in high quality journals and the career development course which they are offered as part of DARS is a major benefit. Departmental staff are involved with teaching at both BSc and MSc level, and public outreach activities within the department are good.

The group demonstrates an excellent approach to future planning, with “road maps” prepared as a matter of course at both department and group level, including resource implications. The approaching retirement of two key members of staff has also been addressed with a detailed plan for two observation- ally oriented replacement positions: one in stellar astrophysics and one in Cosmology. This has been accepted by the faculty.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 57

Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Average publication rate of 4.2 papers/year/staff member in the 6 review period. • Publication in high quality journals. • Total of 9526 citations for papers from this period.

Scientific quality • Asteroseismology research is leading edge and theoretical work in 6 Cosmology is of an international standard. • Small amount of “strangelet” research is more speculative, but potentially important. At present, the quality of this research is difficult to judge given its risky nature and the as yet uncertain launch of AMS.

Education • Staff teach at BSc and MSc level. 5 • Good balance of PhD students. • Bulk of the course activity for DARS is delivered and organised by staff in this group.

Career development for • PhD students attend a career development course. 6 young researchers • PhD students routinely publish in high quality journals.

Industrial collaboration • Instrument specifications for Rømer. 3 • No current collaboration with Danish industry.

Funding • Well-funded internally and externally. 5

International cooperation • Active involvement in Kepler data analysis. 7 • Very active partner in international collaborations including positions of responsibility in working groups for space missions.

Societal and economic • Astronomy fascinates the general public, as demonstrated by the pop- 4 relevance ularity of outreach activities, and attracts young people into science.

Overall • Vibrant, well-managed group. 6 • Excellent strategic planning. • Involved with mission proposals from earliest planning stages. • Staff heavily involved with committee work.

Importance to Danish • A significant, very visible and successful user of Danish space 5 space research investments. Participates in shaping the future.

Recommendations • Capitalize on track record (Rømer) if future ESA funding involves further Astronomy instrumentation, via collaboration with instrument groups in Denmark and Danish industry. • Ensure participation in Planck.

58 A.1.5 Mars Simulation Laboratory, This service work also raises the profile University of Aarhus of their research.

The Mars Simulation Laboratory is Although this team is small, they are by an interdisciplinary collaboration no means isolated. The group has excel- between the departments of Physics and lent collaboration with industry and Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Biology and with other research institutions, both Chemistry at Aarhus University. The nationally and internationally, including group currently involves one honorary work with NASA and ESA. Some staff professor, 4 associate professors, 2 senior teach at undergraduate level in Geology researchers and one PhD student. Their and Biology, and the laboratory is used research falls under the category of for BSc and MSc projects. However, Exploration. the group has struggled to attract PhD students from Aarhus; therefore post- The Mars Simulation Laboratory is very graduates have been recruited from well-recognised internationally and other Danish universities, and may even has managed, despite its small size, to be shared with them. Whilst there is become involved with many interna- potential for this group to expand, it is tional space missions. The research team recognised that their extraordinary inter- is involved with particularly innovative disciplinary collaboration relies critically research, including instrument and facili- on the symbiosis between members. The ties development and the output of the laboratory is a “bottom up” initiative; laboratory is published in a wide range all staff participants are very pro-active, of high quality journals. Space research although the group has a clear leader. is an integrated component of each team members’ profile, but not their sole The team is well-funded both internally focus. The departments involved in this and externally, but external funding collaboration recognise the value of the is of a short-term nature and mainly Laboratory, though providing support for from ESA or private funds rather than such a group is more challenging than national sources. This lack of guaran- for one contained within a single depart- teed long term funding is a hindrance to ment. The members of the Laboratory their involvement with ESA and NASA are fully aware of the need to base, at projects, which are all associated with least initially, the interdisciplinary output long development and operational times- on solid disciplinary competencies. cales. Future plans and strategy for the The group provides a well-used service group are clear and members are aware through the facility, as well as under- of the current limitations to their activi- taking basic research, and have struck a ties, which include a need for further good balance between these activities. administrative and technical support. The

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 59 group has failed so far in its efforts to obtain funding for formalised research collaborations with other institutions in Denmark. The Panel was informed that the negative outcome was due to the fact that members of the proposed collaboration were not co-located. The Panel does not consider this a barrier following discussion with other members of this extended network. The team is aware that they are extremely vulnerable to loss of staff. “Shadowing” of current post- doctoral researchers by PhD students might be an effective way of countering this.

60 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Average publication rate of 1 space-related paper/year/full time 6 staff member in the review period (space-related research is only a small part of some group members’ scientific output). • Publications in high quality journals with an average impact factor of 4.4. • Over 300 citations in total for papers from this period.

Scientific quality • Significant participation in space missions. 6 • Innovative inter-disciplinary research. • Well-regarded internationally.

Education • 2 members of staff teach at undergraduate level. 4 • Laboratory is used for BSc and MSc projects. • Difficult to attract PhD students from within University.

Career development for • All PhD students have gone on to take a post-doctoral position. 5 young researchers

Industrial collaboration • Construction and testing of equipment and instrument development. 6 • Laboratory facilities used as a service, but these activities are well- balanced with fundamental research.

Funding • Well-funded internally and externally. 6 • Lack of guaranteed long term funding hinders work.Failed to get funding to work collaboratively with other institutions in Denmark.

International cooperation • Excellent collaboration with other research groups.Active partners 6 in international collaborations.

Societal and economic • Research includes study of one of today’s fundamental scientific 5 relevance questions i.e. the origin of life.

Overall • Small, well-integrated team working in a truly inter-disciplinary 6 manner.

Importance to Danish • Key player in Mars research. 5 space research

Recommendations • Strengthen the group with further staff/PhD students.Find a way to fund a collaborative initiative with Danish researchers at other institutions.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 61 A.1.6 Elektro-DTU Within the Antenna and Electromagnetics group, space activities are mainly related Space research at Elektro-DTU falls into to the antenna characterisation facility, the broad category of Space Technology which is well-run by skilled personnel. and is concentrated within two groups: Most of these activities involve service the Antenna and Electromagnetics group work, although some research is carried and the Microwave Technology group. out using this resource towards improve- These are both members of the Depart- ment of characterisation techniques, for ment of Electrical Engineering at DTU, example for the SMOS satellite. There is which has a total of approximately 150 a clear vision with regard to this activity staff members, of which 50 are faculty. to maintain their position as the most At present, the Antenna and Electromag- accurate such facility in Europe. netics group has one professor, one associate professor and one research assistant Within the Microwave Technology involved with space-related activities, group, at least half the research is related whilst the Microwave Technology group to ESA and to space missions in plan- has one reader, one associate professor, ning or development phases. There are one post-doctoral researcher, one no facilities within the department for research assistant and 4 PhD students producing space hardware and as a result, involved with ESA related research. In the group focuses mainly on building addition to the self-evaluation documents prototypes. However, it was claimed provided by both the Antenna and Elec- that the competence and knowledge that tromagnetics group and the Microwave result from these space activities are very Technology group, the Panel was also useful for commercial applications. Both provided with a copy of an evaluation the Antenna and Electromagnetics group of Ørsted-DTU prepared in November and the Microwave Technology group 2006 by Dr. M. Acuna, Prof. S. Elliott, are still suffering the effects of recent Prof. D. Evans, Prof. T. Larsen, Prof. restructuring, which is currently making S. Lindahl and Prof. B. Siciliano. The future planning difficult. following evaluation is therefore based on the Panel’s previous knowledge of the Members of staff are heavily involved subject area, the self-evaluation docu- with undergraduate teaching, which ments of the two groups and the site visit, occupies around 50% of their time. together with this report. The two self- Staff within the Microwave Technology evaluation documents focus on space- group are also involved with teaching related activity following the formation at an international PhD summer school. of Ørsted-DTU, and the Panel’s evalua- This school aims to have a portfolio of tion is therefore mainly based on work projects and competencies that can be carried out since 2001. offered to various users. The groups have

62 an expanding intake of MSc students are fears that this situation will change whose projects are often embedded once they cease to be co-located. The within research carried out by the staff. groups are currently nervous about their There is some difficulty attracting Danish future and uncertain about practicalities PhD students as jobs in industry are more such as ownership of shared equipment. lucrative; as a result, many of the groups’ PhD students are foreign. None of the The groups are reasonably well-funded, current PhD students’ research is space- mainly externally through ESA/ESTEC related. contracts but they have struggled to obtain national research funding. Thus, Collaboration with industry is signifi- all their space activities are externally cant and is organised both through ESA funded and it was claimed that ESA and independently, but mainly involves would like to see more national funding. the use of the antenna testing facility. Keeping the Antenna characterization Discussions between the University and facility running and at the forefront of industry regarding IP are regarded as this field is a clear goal, but there is cumbersome and take time from research. little prospect for upgrading the current It was mentioned that an open IP attitude facilities to cover, for example, higher was often practised, which means that frequencies. patent rights stay with the established industry. Both groups are minor partners in a limited number of international collaborations, and national collaboration is mainly achieved through their strong ties to the Remote Sensing group which has recently been incorporated within DTU-Space. The acting Head of Depart- ment believes strongly that the groups are best placed within the engineering environment at Elektro-DTU, whereas some of those the Panel met would have chosen (if given the option) either to move to DTU-Space with the Remote Sensing Group or to have the Remote Sensing group remain part of Elektro- DTU, in order to maintain their close working connection. At present, cooperation between these groups is relatively unaffected by the restructuring, but there

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 63 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Present work at IEEE conferences and publish in IEEE publications, 4 as is usual in the engineering community.

Scientific quality • No facilities to make space-hardened equipment so group focuses 3 on prototypes. • The microwave research receives support from ESA and is carried out in international collaborations.

Education • Staff spend around 50% of their time teaching. 4 • Teach at international PhD summer school. • Expanding intake of MSc students. • PhDs fulfil some education requirements through self-study.

Career development for • PhD students apply for their own travel money. 3 young researchers

Industrial collaboration • Mainly achieved through usage of antenna testing facility. 4 • Significant amount of service work for industry.

Funding • Fairly well-funded through ESA contracts, no national research 5 funding. • All space activities are externally funded. • Able to save to buy expensive equipment.

International cooperation • Minor partner in a limited number of international collaborations. 3 • Most collaboration is industrial.

Societal and economic • As an engineering department, much of their work is directly 3 relevance relevant to industry and close to the market place. • Antenna testing facility is important for satellite communications.

Overall • Antenna testing facility is well-run by skilled personnel. 4 • Both groups still suffering the effects of the recent reorganisation.

Importance to Danish • Important technology contributions to the Danish effort. 5 space research

Recommendations • Develop a strategy to capitalize on available GSTP and ARTES funds. • The future of the Microwave Technology group as a space-related research group currently looks uncertain whilst it is separated from the main scientific users (Remote Sensing at DTU-Space) and only able to build prototypes for space instruments. If this structure is to remain, a long-term strategy for these groups must be made, indicating clearly how Elektro-DTU expects them to survive.

64 A.1.7 Department of Geography numbers, space-related research is still and Geology, University of spread very thin and the staff currently Copenhagen carrying out Earth Observation research cannot take on more work. The group Space research within the Department operates two satellite receiver stations, of Geography and Geology focuses on and PhD students spend quite consider- the use of satellite data for Earth Obser- able amounts of time developing and vation and Remote Sensing. There is running data processing algorithms. currently one assistant professor, one Whilst there is undoubtedly a research associate professor and 5 PhD students component to this, much of it is routine working full-time on space research, and and the scientific productivity of the one professor and 2 associate professors group would increase if they had tech- working part-time on space-related activ- nical assistance for data processing. The ities. In total, the department has approxi- group also noted some difficulties in mately 55 permanent staff members, 35 recruiting Geology PhD students, due to technicians, 15 post-doctoral researchers the lure of jobs in industry. and 55 PhD students. The department is organised into eight thematic research The group collaborates closely with a groups, and most space-related research number of other international research is carried out within the Water Resources institutions, and has been involved in and Earth Observation research group. capacity-building activities, particularly for projects in West Africa, and is The work carried out by the group of responsible for the link between Earth space-related researchers in this depart- Observation technology and the human ment is of international standard and dimension for AMMA (African Monsoon the publication record of staff members Multidisciplinary Analyses). International and PhD students is good. However, the field experiments and PhD exchanges Panel felt that this group is still strug- are also carried out. Most industrial gling to find its place and future direction collaboration is achieved through GRAS in the wake of the recent (2007) merger (Geographic Resource Analysis and and restructuring of the Geography and Science) – a spin-off company from Geology departments, exacerbated by the department – although some work its Head being on one year’s sabbatical has also been carried out in collabora- leave, several other group members tion with DHI (Danish Hydraulic Insti- spending extended periods working tute). The group is aware of the danger overseas, and the departure of a senior of carrying out too much consultancy scientist with a half-time appointment. work within the University, and GRAS Although this reorganisation was carried was formed to absorb the bulk of these out with the aim of boosting group activities. The company and the depart-

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 65 ment now have a mutually beneficial Danish industry. Exact figures for the arrangement: the department gains from group’s CryoSat research funding were GRAS’ industrial contacts and their help unavailable, but an approximate total was with education, particularly with MSc provided during the site visit, which is projects, and GRAS are able to draw on included in the Panel’s evaluation. The the Remote Sensing expertise of research group showed awareness of upcoming staff within the University. Staff are also funding opportunities that they should involved with teaching one BSc course capitalise on, for example within the ESA and two MSc courses in Remote Sensing, climate change initiative, but seemed a and this Department therefore has the little unclear about how the ESA system most elaborate course programme within works. The group also had ideas about Earth Observation and produces the most areas they would like to improve, for Danish graduates with Remote Sensing example the land use unit, but no clear expertise. plans as to how this would be achieved. The importance of ESA missions was Funding for space-related activities emphasised, but researchers were aware within the department is good, with of the need to use data from non-ESA approximately a quarter10 of current missions to fill data gaps. The group was funding coming from external sources, of the opinion that there was a further but it was mentioned that the removal of need to focus their research and to estab- the earmarked Earth Observation budget lish bigger research entities. In view of had been detrimental to space research their current strengths, concentration on and use of data from e.g. ESA’s Earth Africa and Asia seems appropriate. The Observation missions. The removal of Panel would encourage strengthening the this budget is one of the motivations group in this manner, but notes that the behind plans to increase external funding Head of Department appeared frustrated to the faculty average of 40-50%. It by the failure of previous efforts to was noted that staff felt that the funding achieve this. provided for PhD students’ research costs is frequently insufficient to cover the resources needed to support them. Avail- ability of funding is currently directing activities towards applied research which can be undertaken in cooperation with

10 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel was informed that this figure should be 60%. It is possible that the 25% figure which the Panel was given during the site visit was for the department as a whole rather than this particular group. In this case, it is likely that the plans to increase external funding to the faculty average also refer to the department as a whole.

66 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Average of 1.7 space-related papers/year/full-time staff member 5 over the period of the review. • Average impact factor of journals is 2.6. • Total of 626 citations for papers over the review period.

Scientific quality • International standard. 5

Education • Staff teach 1 BSc and 2 MSc courses. 5 • MSc projects frequently involve work with GRAS.

Career development for • PhD students encouraged to publish. 4 young researchers • PhDs have ample opportunity for travel to conferences.

Industrial collaboration • Mainly through GRAS, a spin-off company. 5 • Some collaboration with DHI.

Funding • Good. 4

International cooperation • Fairly active partner in a wide range of international collaborations, 5 mainly through projects in West Africa. • Includes PhD exchange and collaborative field experiments.

Societal and Economic • Drought and vegetation monitoring in West Africa. 5 relevance • Involvement with AMMA (monsoon analysis). • Applications of their work to agriculture. • Validation of space data using ground-based measurements to verify the reliability of measurements from space. • Involved in establishing a circumpolar monitoring programme focussing on spatiotemporal trends in snow cover.

Overall • Excellent arrangement with spin-off company. 5 • Space-based research is currently spread very thin, in its current state, little potential for growth.

Importance to Danish • Algorithm development and practical application of Earth 3 space research Observation data.

Recommendations • Strengthen the group with further staff, possibly at post-doctoral level. Need to work in bigger teams. • Draw up a research strategy to focus activities. • Remain aware of the dangers of taking on too much consultancy work. • Act to establish involvement with the ESA decision making process.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 67 A.1.8 Department of provided information about the space- Environmental, Social related activities of researchers who are and Spatial Change, current members of ENSPAC. Of the two University of Roskilde current staff members who are involved with space-related research on a full The space-related research carried out time basis, only one was employed by in this department falls into the category ENSPAC for part of the review period of Earth Observation, and involves (from 2004), the other was employed one professor, 4 associate professors, very recently (in 2008). Other current one research assistant and one PhD staff members use processed remote student. ENSPAC has a total of 165 staff sensing data mainly as a data source members, of which 62 are scientific staff, for minor parts of their environmental and is organised into 6 research groups. research. The information which the The Environmental Dynamics group and Panel received about space-related the Climate, Energy and Environment activity at Roskilde University prior to group are involved with space activities. 2004 was therefore very limited, and activity since 2004 is mostly driven by The following evaluation is based on the one member of staff. Panel’s prior knowledge of the subject area, the group’s self evaluation docu- The Remote Sensing group has endured ment and a meeting with four staff significant upheaval in recent years: members at Copenhagen University; Roskilde University underwent a major the Panel did not visit the University of structural reorganisation in September Roskilde. Most space-related activity 2006, leading to the formation of cross- is within the Environmental Dynamics disciplinary research departments. research group, headed by an envi- In addition, one staff member who ronmental biologist, Assoc. Prof. S. was employed in 2004 to strengthen L. Nielsen; we also met the three staff Geographical Information System (GIS) members who use Remote Sensing data and Remote Sensing activities left at this in their research. The Panel did not see time of reorganisation. Assoc. Prof. T. the working environment at Roskilde Nielsen has recently been employed to and did not meet the professor and the re-fill this position. The organisation of research assistant who are involved with research in different cross-disciplinary space research, or any post-doctoral research groups leads to space-related researchers or PhD students. However, research activities being uncoordi- the self-evaluation document indicates nated. For example, whilst preparing only one PhD student and no post- the self-evaluation document, one of doctoral researchers in space-related its co-authors, who had recently been research. The self-evaluation document appointed, learnt of the existence of some

68 pockets of space-based research in other research is reasonable and has increased parts of the University. The group has yet since the employment of new staff in to define a research strategy specifically 2004; however, the group has struggled related to space science. to coordinate raising funds from both the faculty and an external funding body Roskilde University has large numbers for PhD students. Members of staff were of students, and teaching seems to be its positive about the cross-disciplinary or main focus. The teaching load for staff thematic nature of the department, but within the department is heavy, leaving felt that this has not made fundraising little time for research and publication. easier, and has in addition left space Staff also claimed that teaching obliga- research without a clear focus. Although tions acted as an impediment to them space researchers have produced a struc- taking sabbatical leave. Research produc- tured plan containing details of current tivity is low; over the review period there research projects and related scientific have been only 5 space-related publica- goals, they did not currently appear tions by current staff whilst employed at to give sufficient thought to long term Roskilde. This is partially explained by targets. The Panel felt that this group was the fact that the two current members of torn between wanting their research to be staff whose research is entirely space- close to that at Copenhagen University related were only employed in 2004 and to allow collaboration through existing 2008. ENSPAC’s seminar programme is links, and wanting their research to be not particularly relevant to space science, distinct to justify their existence as a partly due to a lack of funding to invite separate group. In order to succeed in guests and visitors, and ENSPAC has creating their own niche for space-related very few young researchers involved research, strong leadership will certainly with space. There is a reasonable level be needed, but the Panel could not see of international collaboration, which where this would come from. is achieved mainly through large EU projects but ENSPAC researchers play a fairly minor role in such activities. The group has some collaboration with other research institutions in Denmark through space activities and has recently taken steps to increase its level of intra- departmental collaboration. It has had no space-related cooperation with Danish industry over the review period.

External funding of space-related

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 69 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • 5 space-related publications over the review period from staff 2 currently belonging to ENSPAC whilst employed at Roskilde. These have a total of 9 ISI citations. • A researcher was only involved full-time with space-related research during part of the review period (2004-2006).

Scientific quality • Small number of publications makes this difficult to judge, although 3 previous publications by current staff members are of average quality.

Education • Teaching loads are heavy, and claimed to be an impediment to tak- 2 ing sabbatical leave.

Career development for • The emphasis on teaching makes it a less conducive environment 2 young researchers for young researchers to develop scientifically. • For example, no seminar programme relevant to space-related research.

Industrial collaboration • None over the review period. 1 • As users of processed data, few opportunities for collaboration.

Funding • Increased since employment of new staff in 2004. 3

International cooperation • Some involvement with large international projects, mainly through 3 the EU but a minor partner in most of these.

Societal and Economic • Natural resource assessment in Africa. 5 relevance • Climate change mitigation research – reducing use of carbon energy sources. • Water resources management. • Applications for agriculture.

Overall • Little space research from current staff members over the review 2 period. However, this is partially explained by the fact that only one current researcher who works full time on space-related research was employed during this time, and only for part of the review period (2004-2006). • Plans show 4 new projects involving space. • Evaluation is based mainly on activity to date, there is potential for improvement with the new staff and the reorganisation.

Importance to Danish • Only a small contributor to the Danish effort. 2 space research

70 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Recommendations • In order to succeed in creating their own niche for research in Denmark, strong leadership, more time for and emphasis on research, and PhD students will all be necessary. • Need to develop a long term strategic research plan. • Make the environment more research-focussed, for example take steps to make the current seminar programme more relevant to space-related research.

A.1.9 Department of Physical Climate group is a centre of excellence and Earth Sciences, Niels funded by the Danish National Research Bohr Institute Foundation. Their work focuses on Greenland ice cores, and includes limited NBI has approximately 225 staff space-related research in the field of members supervising around 90 PhD Earth Observation involving only one students over 10 research groups and professor, one lecturer and one PhD 10 research centres. Space research is student. carried out in two research groups in the Department of Physical and Earth Aspects of the space-related research Sciences: Planetary and Earth Sciences within these groups are extremely good, and Ice and Climate. Within Planetary and the department offers an excel- and Earth Sciences, space activities lent Geophysics education based on constitute approximately 30% of the Mathematics and Physics training. group’s total research activities and Mars and geomagnetic research activi- involve one professor, 3 lecturers, one ties are particular highlights, although research assistant, one post-doctoral other Earth Observation research is also researcher and 7 PhD students. Their of good scientific quality. At present research interests include Geodesy, however, these space-related research Geomagnetism, GPS and Mars and fall groups are very fragile and extremely under the categories of Earth Obser- vulnerable to loss of staff. Some research vation and Exploration. The Ice and areas may actually have sub-critical staff

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 71 numbers, which was recognised by the raised about whether collaboration with Head of Institute, and an internal review the National Space Institute will continue of the most fragile units: Geodesy, Ocea- to the same extent once their merger with nography and Ice and Climate, is planned DTU is fully established. In particular, for the near future. At present, there are it was felt that joint PhD projects would too few staff members to adequately no longer be viable and that collabora- cover all areas of space-related research. tions would suffer once these institutes For example, Assoc. Prof. M. Madsen is cease to be co-located. Researchers are currently the only staff member involved disillusioned by the loss of close links with Mars research. The number of with what is now DTU-Space and with staff involved with space activities has whom they currently share a building. reduced over the period of the review, International collaboration is significant, with retiring staff not being replaced, or particularly for Mars research, and this their replacements not working within group is involved with all Mars lander space research. This was less of an missions, including ExoMars. The groups issue before the Danish National Space are also involved with several other ESA Centre became a part of DTU. For missions, and have particular interest example, Geomagnetism research was in both CryoSat and GOCE. There is previously carried out in collaboration currently little cooperation with Danish with the Danish National Space Centre. industry, which was perceived to be When these groups worked more closely unable to produce the instruments that together, the loss of staff was not so are needed. critical; the Head of Institute is aware of this problem and appreciates the need for These groups are well-funded from a plan. a diverse range of sources. However, concerns were expressed about the Members of staff are involved with difficulty of obtaining long term funding teaching one BSc and three MSc level within the Danish system, which hinders courses and there are 6 current PhD their involvement with ESA missions. students. A comprehensive PhD review EU funds are not currently pursued by system is in place within the University, these groups because of the significant and all students have ample funding administrative effort required to apply. for travel to conferences, although the At present, research strategy is very amounts vary with different funding opportunistic with little long term plan- sources. The Planetary and Earth sciences ning on a group level. At faculty level, group has excellent collaborations with recruitment strategy is discussed, taking the Mars Simulation Laboratory and into account both research and teaching DTU-Space, including a number of needs. shared PhD students. Questions were

72 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • An average of 1.1 space-related papers/year/staff member (space 5 research is only a part of their activities). • Total of 1277 citations for over the review period.

Scientific quality • Mars and geomagnetic research is excellent, although the latter is 5 threatened by the loss of the close connection to DTU-Space. • Earth Observation research is also of good scientific quality.

Education • Staff teach 1 BSc and 3 MSc courses, exposing physics students to 5 Geophysics and Planetary Sciences.

Career development for • Students are encouraged to publish and attend international 4 young researchers conferences.

Industrial collaboration • Very little collaboration. Industry perceived as unable to produce 2 necessary equipment.

Funding • Well-funded from diverse sources. 4 • Mars research has failed to attract funding to work collaboratively with other centres in Denmark.

International cooperation • Fairly active partner in international collaborations, involved with 5 several ESA missions.

Societal and Economic • Research into sea-level change from melting of ice sheets. 5 relevance • “Space weather” caused by solar activity and geomagnetic conditions affects communications and health of satellites (through jointly supervised research students and collaborations with DTU-Space). • Outreach and public education activities related to Mars research.

Overall • Small groups, struggling slightly to survive at present and with an 4 uncertain future. • Some excellent research, particularly related to Mars and geomagnetism.

Importance to Danish • Wide ranging contribution to the Danish effort, but rather fragmented. 4 Space research

Recommendations • Consider the possibility of EU funding despite the necessary administration. • Continue to seek funding for Mars research in collaboration with other Danish groups and strengthen this area as a priority through national grouping. • Develop long term research strategies. • Either ensure that positions vacated in the near future by retiring senior staff are filled by space scientists or discontinue space research to prevent activities becoming spread too thin.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 73 A.1.10 Dark Cosmology Centre record. Their activities encompass a wide range of research strengths and there is The Dark Cosmology Centre at NBI is plenty of scope for branching out into funded by the Danish National Research new research areas. Foundation as a centre of excellence, and was established in September 2005. This Members of staff are aware that more Centre currently includes one professor, direct involvement with the initial stages 6 associate professors, 2 post-doctoral of space projects, such as feasibility researchers and 11 PhD students involved studies for new instruments, might enable with space-related research and is one of them to influence the future of interna- three units at NBI involved with space tional space-related Cosmology research, science. In total, NBI boasts approxi- and would certainly make the group mately 225 staff and 90 PhD students. more involved in so called “key projects” In addition to the self-evaluation docu- and guaranteed time programmes. To ment, the Panel was also provided with this end, the group is actively seeking a copy of the Annual Report for 2007 for a way in, and participated in a proposal the Dark Cosmology Centre, prepared (EDGE) submitted in response to ESA’s by Prof. J. Hjorth. The following evalu- recent call for new projects; unfortu- ation is therefore based on the Panel’s nately, this was not selected. At present, previous knowledge of the subject area, the group feels that a lack of technical the group’s self-evaluation document and expertise and contacts hinders their the site visit, together with this report. participation, and they perceive that the For this group, the Panel has used the strengths and focal points of DARK and information provided in the self-evalua- DTU-Space are quite different, which tion document which covers the period further inhibits their involvement. The 1/9/2005 – 31/12/2007. Panel does not want to comment on this statement as such, but is of the opinion Researchers at the Dark Cosmology that if the group’s strategy is to contribute Centre exploit both space and ground- more directly to space project work, based data, in combination with theoret- then further effort should be expended ical research and numerical simulations, to establish effective collaborations to perform excellent Cosmology. As a with other national groups who possess Danish National Research Foundation complementary competencies. As a result funded centre of excellence, the Centre of the present situation, the group has no will continue to receive generous funding current cooperation with Danish industry. for the remainder of the 5 year period, enabling staff to focus on research. The The Dark Cosmology Centre has an group has a strong, dynamic and ener- enthusiastic group of MSc students, getic leadership and a good publication PhD students and young post-doctoral

74 researchers from many different coun- Senior members of staff at the centre tries, some of whom have brought their are currently working at full capacity own funding to the Centre. Students are supervising students and post-doctoral extremely well-integrated and collaborate researchers and providing community with a number of different staff members. service. The group is more than fulfilling They are encouraged to both present its potential, but in order to grow further, and publish their work and benefit from there is a need for more senior level organising and giving regular talks to staff and office space. The Centre is the group. Support for students is above currently very well-funded and there and beyond the norm, and the result is an is a clear awareness that careful plan- international community of postgradu- ning will be required to ensure that the ates that are extraordinarily confident, group continues to prosper once the grant mature, ambitious and well-motivated. for this centre of excellence expires. The Centre collaborates effectively with Research strategy within this group is many international partners and some very clear and shows excellent vision. DARK researchers have positions of Senior staff have also devised ambitious responsibility on advisory committees for plans for the future, extending beyond the international missions. Although national Centre to encompass all space activities collaboration is less common, teaching at at Copenhagen University. PhD level – and to some extent BSc and MSc level – involves cooperation with other centres within Denmark. DARK hosts the majority of the PhD students in DARS, and DARK staff are involved with teaching as part of this research school. Two of the Centre’s staff members manage the Instrument centre for Danish Astrophysics (IDA) which distributes nationally-provided funding for Danish astronomers who have been allocated observing time. The level of public outreach provided by the Centre is excep- tional, and several members of staff make significant contributions in this area. This Centre exhibits numerous examples of best practice in terms of personnel management, career development and general organisation, which could profit- ably be extended to other groups

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 75 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Since the formation of the Centre on 1/9/2005, the average publica- 7 tion rate is 4.5 space-related papers/year/staff member. • Published in journals with high impact factors. • Total of 1576 citations over the period 1/9/2005 – 31/12/2007.

Scientific quality • Excellent. 7

Education • Provision for PhD students is excellent. 7 • Approximately 2/3 of the teaching in Astronomy at BSc and MSc level at Copenhagen University is carried out by DARK staff. • Some of the DARS PhD level teaching is also provided by DARK.

Career development for • Young researchers encouraged to organize their own research 7 young researchers presentations and to publish their work. • Some PhD students and post-doctoral researchers have brought their own funding to the Centre. • Danish research students and post-doctoral researchers are aware of the difficulty of getting a permanent job in Denmark and the prob- ability of having to relocate abroad.

Industrial collaboration • None at present. 2

Funding • Very well-funded through the Danish National Research Foundation 6 as a centre of excellence.

International cooperation • Active partner in international collaborations. 6

Societal and Economic • 2 members of staff have won awards for outreach activities. 4 relevance

Overall • Exemplary research group, all staff and students dynamic, 7 enthusiastic and ambitious. • Senior members of staff show willingness to tackle problems in a creative manner e.g. IDA and to plan for the future of space research at University level as well as group level.

Importance to Danish • Users of space data, in conjunction with ground data, models and 3 space research theory.

Recommendations • Consider collaboration with other Danish groups as a source of technical expertise to aid with involvement in the early stages of mission planning (e.g. to facilitate participation in Cosmic Vision). • Encourage the wider application (throughout Danish research groups) of these management, early career scientist development and organisation methods.

76 A.1.11 Stars and Galaxies Group, are directly involved with space science. Niels Bohr Institute This is in line with the Panel’s impression that the demise of space science activity The Stars and Galaxies group at NBI in this group looks likely. In this case, currently has one lecturer directly the Panel simply recommend that any involved with space science and 4 commitments made to collaborators – lecturers who make use of space data in for example, with regard to GAIA – are their research. NBI has a total of approxi- honoured. mately 225 staff and 90 PhD students, and the Stars and Galaxies group is one of three units at NBI involved with space science.

The following evaluation is only based on the Panel’s prior knowledge of the subject area, the group’s self evaluation document and a brief meeting with Assoc. Prof. J. Viggo Clausen. This meeting was an unscheduled addition to the programme, requested by the Panel and accommodated by NBI. A full site visit was not carried out for this group.

The Stars and Galaxies group at NBI was heavily involved in the definition of the Hipparcos mission and is currently involved with two Coordinating Units for GAIA. However, despite the heritage in Denmark of this type of work, the Panel formed the impression that space science activities within this group are slowly waning. Several key members of staff are approaching retirement and there is very strong competition amongst other groups at NBI for the replacement of permanent positions within other fields of Astronomy. Although there are plans for renewal of staff, there is no specific intention to hire new employees who

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 77 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact

Scientific quality

Education

Career development for young researchers

Industrial collaboration

Funding

International cooperation

Societal and Economic relevance

Overall

Importance to Danish space research

Recommendations Honour commitments made to collaborators e.g. with regard to GAIA

78 A.1.12 DTU-Space this, the government has given the Institute managerial tasks beyond those DTU-Space has its roots in DSRI, the resulting from the Institute’s own activi- Danish Space Research Institute, which ties. This delegation of tasks reflects was established as an independent the fact that Denmark does not have research institute at the time of ESRO a Space Board or other national space (European Space Research Organisation), advisory body. DTU-Space remains later to become the core of ESA. Since ESA’s point of contact within Denmark then, the Institute has been involved with following the merger, and supplies the two mergers, in 2005 and 2007. The first Danish representatives to the ESA Space merger resulted in the establishment Science programme. It is the Panel’s of the Danish National Space Centre view that the merger of the Danish (DNSC) from DSRI and parts of Kort & National Space Centre and DTU to form Matrikelstyrelsen (KMS) and Cadastre, DTU-Space was rushed and somewhat and in 2007 DTU-Space was formed ill-conceived, with inadequate consid- by the merger of the Danish National eration given to the implications of this Space Centre (DNSC) into DTU. This move. For example, the Remote Sensing latter merger was primarily intended to group from DTU has been included strengthen the link between the Space in the new Space Institute, leaving Centre and the university system. DTU- behind the Microwave Technology Space currently has 3 professors, 12 Group, with whom they previously associate professors, 16 senior scientists, enjoyed an incredibly close partnership. 3 senior advisors, 9 scientists, 6 post- In addition, the merger has caused a doctoral researchers 3 research assist- break with Copenhagen University, on ants and 7 PhD students involved with whose campus ex-Space Centre staff space-related research in the fields of are currently based and with whom Earth Observation, Communications, close collaboration previously existed. Navigation, Geodynamics and Geodesy, A government sanctioned consultation Astronomy, Space Technology and to ascertain the views of all interested Exploration. parties in Denmark would probably have been beneficial prior to the merger. DTU-Space is the only group in Denmark with the basic funding and In addition to the more general issues mandate to carry out space research and raised above, a number of problems build instruments for space missions. involving only DTU-Space have been The Institute has therefore naturally caused by the merger. DTU-Space is been an influential player within Danish currently suffering from being spread space research and an asset to Danish across a number of sites and the times- space activities in general. In line with cale for co-location remains uncertain.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 79 Also unclear are the teaching commit- DTU-Space is involved with a broad ments expected at DTU from ex-Space spectrum of space activities, most of Centre staff members, and the prospects which have been introduced to DTU for the continuation of Space Centre by the recent absorption of DNSC. teaching activities at other Universi- The quality of the research carried out ties. However, the Panel was told by the at DTU-Space varies from group to Director that DTU-Space will establish group but Geomagnetism activities are its own education programme and that a particular highlight. Some members the PhD programme will be managed of staff have strong technological skills by the Director himself. There is under- and are significantly involved with standably significant confusion and instrument development for a number uncertainty about the future amongst of space missions The Astrophysics staff, even senior staff, at DTU-Space group provides significant and advanced and elsewhere, some of whom feel ill- technical contributions to several ambi- informed about the merger. However, tious ESA science missions including attempts are currently being made to Planck, JWST/MIRI, XEUS and LISA. resolve some of the problems which DTU-Space is also directly involved have arisen as a result of this reorgani- in ExoMars/GEP and NASA’s Mars sation. A previous merger, creating the Science Laboratory. There is also very Space Centre from the Space Research strong involvement in ESA’s Earth Institute and parts of KMS, was also Observation Programme with missions not well-planned. In this case, groups such as SMOS, GOCE, CryoSat-2 and were merely absorbed as stand-alone SWARM; this latter mission is a result units, with no consideration of whether of a proposal to ESA led by DNSC. the boundaries between the research Researchers at DTU-Space have carried groups were the most practical. This has out important preliminary studies for resulted in the existence of two geodetic SWARM, which have greatly influenced research groups within DTU-Space. The its design. DTU-Space has also been only obvious motivation that the Panel instrumental in developing the atmos- could see for maintaining this separation, pheric instrument ASIM planned for the rather than combining them to create a International Space Station. As is often larger, more robust group (or otherwise the case for space research groups, inter- restructuring), was their separate govern- national collaboration is coupled to these ment responsibilities. DTU-Space is by technological contributions. Involvement far the most important space research with instrument development for a space group in Denmark, but it is not currently mission allows a group to influence fulfilling its potential. A major reorgani- the scientific programme which will be sation of activities is needed to improve conducted and gives them a privileged performance. position to exploit the subsequent scien-

80 tific data. However, the extent to which and prevents them from building up a this technical involvement will pay off research portfolio. in scientific benefits depends on the availability of manpower, appropriate The fact that DTU-Space is the only funding and collaboration with other group in Denmark with the basic funding Danish research groups working in this and mandate to carry out space research field. may have inspired a strategy of becoming involved with as wide a range of space The Panel understood that some of activities as possible. This strong and the technological skills possessed privileged position may also have by the staff at DTU-Space are not adversely affected DTU-Space’s ability only internationally competitive, but and/or need to foster collaborations with lacking in Danish industry. As a result, other Danish space research groups. several groups have become heavily However, it should be noted that several involved with technological develop- individuals who are now part of DTU- ment, leading to a risk of too little Space were heavily involved with the time for basic research. This technical Ørsted satellite, which was an extremely expertise should perhaps have been successful national collaboration, and transferred to Danish industry, through this involvement led to their leading role spin-off companies if necessary, but the in the SWARM mission. The diverse one-off nature of some of the develop- research strategy at DTU-Space also ments and lack of appropriate funding seems to have led to a dilution of their may have hindered this process. This scientific research; the fact that three latter comment is particularly relevant of the five sample publications on the for instruments developed for ESA’s list provided for the Panel by the Astro- Science Programme, which must be physics group relate to instrument devel- funded by national money, outside the opment rather than science from these ESA programme budget. The amount of instruments may be evidence of this. routine consultancy and service work Furthermore, some “groups” at the Insti- (one example of which is the mainte- tute currently consist of one researcher – nance of networks in Greenland respon- a situation which is unsustainable. sible for important synoptic measurements) carried out by certain groups DTU-Space currently has few PhD further depletes the scientific output of students relative to staff, but their number the Institute. Some young post-doctoral is expected to double over the next year. researchers suffer from this excessive Several PhD students are currently shared level of commissioned research, which with Copenhagen University, an arrange- leaves insufficient time between projects ment which was made before the DNSC to publish the results of previous work, was merged into DTU. It is unclear

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 81 whether joint PhDs with non-DTU space research groups. The Panel also research groups in Denmark will be noted that the Institute also does not straightforward, or even possible, to always make a reasonable profit from arrange in future. their commercial activities.

The current level of funding may seem DTU-Space clearly has strategic research reasonable, but is often short term in plans for the future and clear project nature11 and spread thinly. Furthermore, goals. On a national level, the Insti- some of the funding comes from consul- tute’s decision to initiate and manage tancy work for both industry and national the Danish Space Consortium was taken agencies. This latter form of funding can with strategic goals in mind, but was also be properly planned for and in line with triggered by the lack of a national overall the overall strategy of the Institute, but space strategy. The Panel understands the Panel felt that funding opportunism that DTU-Space would like to see a more currently plays a role in some cases. It formalised national structure to make is clear that DTU-Space has found it decisions about both the funding of space difficult to attract the necessary national research projects and Danish contribu- funding for basic science and research tions to ESA programmes: a structure using the final data from missions. The based on national strategy, independent Panel was also told that the Institute’s chair(s) and international peer reviews. position will become more difficult in the future, due to the lack of a national space budget in combination with stricter rules recently adopted by the ESA science programme. These new rules relate to the implementation of instrument provisions and now demand formal commitments for non-PI contributions as well as PI contributions. An increased subscription by Denmark to the ESA PRODEX programme was regarded as a preferred means of funding future technology and instrument developments, both by industry, DTU-Space, or other relevant

11 However, following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel has learnt that the Danish Centre for Remote Sensing at DTU was also funded for 5 years by DNRF as a centre of excellence during the review period. The activities of this Centre included developing instruments and applying methods for microwave remote sensing. Selected aspects of this work are continued in the Microwave and Remote Sensing department at DTU-Space.

82 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Average publication rate of 1.2 space-related papers/year/staff 5 member over the review period. • Average journal impact factor of 3.5. • Total of 6533 citations over this period.

Scientific quality • Varies from group to group, activities are too diverse and therefore 5 spread too thin. • Geomagnetism and other planetary research is good. • Advanced Astronomy projects, reflecting the priorities of the Danish Astronomy strategy. • Education expectations for ex-Space Centre staff are not yet clear and thus raise the question of whether these commitments will dilute their other activities.

Education • Currently few PhD students, but numbers are expected to increase 3 in the near future. • DTU-Space’s contribution to MSc/BSc education in areas which are new to DTU since the merger with DNSC is not yet clear.

Career development for • Some post-doctoral researchers find no time to publish due to 2 young researchers working on a rapid succession of distinct projects.

Industrial collaboration • Mission-related technological development (partly carried out in 4 collaboration with industry) is very good. However, more routine technological work is carried out by DTU-Space alone, without involving industry.

Funding • Reasonable overall, but varies widely across research groups. 4 • The available funding schemes are not always appropriate for the type of activities conducted. • Some of their commercial activities are unprofitable.

International cooperation • Many international collaborations, often through technological con- 6 tributions to large international space missions, , for example in the ESA Earth Observation missions SWARM, ASIM, SMOS, GOCE and CryoSat-2; ExoMars and NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory; Planck, JWST/MIRI, XEUS and LISA.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 83 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Societal and Economic • Much relevant work such as SAR and inSAR research and 4 relevance development for glacier mass balance and dynamics; Greenland ice sheet and sea ice monitoring; operation of permanent GNSS and tide gauge stations in Greenland; improved ground water storage and ocean current modelling. • “Space weather” caused by solar activity and geomagnetic conditions affects communications and health of satellites.

Overall • Too much routine commercial and service activity for a University 5 environment. The scientific output of DTU-Space is depleted as a result12.

Importance to Danish • Central to activity in nearly all areas. 7 space research

Recommendations • Take advantage of the scientific expertise in other Danish research groups to form national collaborations, which could have both a strong technological and scientific impact in international projects. • Consider exporting some of the commercial and technological activities to spin-off companies. Would also boost Danish industry. • Continue ongoing resolution of problems arising from the merger. • Following the recent reorganisation of Danish space research, a body needs to be identified who will perform some of the duties currently carried out by DTU-Space, but which are now inappropriate given that they are no longer an independent research institute. For example, the management of the Danish Space Consortium. • If DTU-Space is to prosper, an all-inclusive examination of their activities and reorganisation is required. This may require curtailing some activities to make others viable in the long term.

84 A.1.13 Risø-DTU extended network including Copenhagen University and the Mars Simulation Lab There are two groups at Risø-DTU in Aarhus. involved with space activities: the Wind Energy group and the Radiation The Radiation Research group’s space Research group. The former has a total activities currently focus on the develop- of approximately 20 members, of which ment of a luminescence dating instrument one professor, 5 senior scientists and suitable for use on Mars. The scientific one scientist are currently involved with demands of this project are expected to space-related research. The Radiation aid instrument development on a more Research group has approximately 70 general level. The quality of the research staff members, but only 2 senior scien- carried out by both groups is good and tists and one post-doctoral researcher there is a strategy governing which activ- are involved with space activities. Space ities they choose to take on. However, activities within the Wind Energy group despite an environment that encourages fall within the field of Earth Observation journal publication, the groups struggle whilst those in the Radiation Research to achieve this due to their reliance on group fall into the broad category of funds from service work and the resultant Exploration13. lack of time between projects. This commercial work also has some influence The two groups at Risø-DTU involved on research directions. with space activities have very different scientific interests, but share a desire to The Wind Energy group collaborates exploit space-related research opportuni- extensively with other international ties that complement their main strategic organisations, including minor, but still goals. The Wind Energy group makes interesting, studies of wind patterns on sophisticated use of space-based remote Mars. The extent of international collabo- sensing data, especially Synthetic Aper- ration for the Radiation Research group ture Radar (SAR) data, as a supplement is unclear, but mention was made of a to their terrestrial research involving joint effort valued at €600,000, with the modelling of atmospheric flow. This ESA, DTU-Space and a Dutch company, group also has a small collaboration to develop a breadboard dosimeter for with Mars atmospheric boundary layer Mars and terrestrial applications. Both research and has a dialogue as part of the groups participate in national collabora-

12 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel has learnt that commercial activities at DTU-Space partly fund basic research and that some of the routine service activities which are carried out are a contractual requirement from the Danish government. However, given that DTU-Space is a University group, the Panel feels that these activities are currently imbalanced, and that staff who spend a lot of time on routine consultancy/service work struggle to produce significant research.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 85 tions and the extent of their cooperation that many of these “lost” people were with DTU is expected to increase as a welcomed by research intensive private result of the recent merger. The Mars companies. It is hoped that additional dating project also involves collaboration PhD students will help this situation. with industry on an international level. There is potential for expansion of the The Wind Energy group has developed groups’ current space activities, particu- WAsP (Wind Atlas Analysis and Applica- larly in connection with climate studies. tion Program) software for analysis of wind farm placement, which is sold to interested parties. They are also involved with training customers in the use of this software and in its development. Research projects are well-managed at Risø; as a matter of course, several senior staff members are involved with each project so that none are critically vulnerable to loss of staff.

The groups are well-funded internally and have significant revenue from external sources, for example, from sale of software and instruments. Some fraction of this revenue is used for curiosity-driven research. The financial implications of the merger with DTU are still uncertain, as are the education commitments expected from Risø staff, although a welcome sharp increase in the number of PhD students seems certain. At present, the future development of these groups is limited by a lack of skilled personnel, many of whom are lost to industry. However, it was noted

13 Following the internal hearing concerning the first draft of this report, the Panel has learnt that during the period 2004-2008, the Polymer department at Risø was also engaged in space-related activity. This group was involved with the ESA TRP project “Electroactive Polymer Actuators (EAP)” studying the feasibility of EAP for controlling lightweight structures in space. The prime contractor was Kayser Italia S.r.l., (Italy) with 5 subcontractors (3 universities + 1 company + DLR). A number of breadboards for demonstration of position control and vibration damping were successfully tested.

86 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • 37 space-related papers over the review period. 4 • Average impact factor of journals is 2.5. • Total of 331 citations over this period.

Scientific quality • Good. Martian research complements that carried out elsewhere 5 in Denmark. • Fairly high level of service work – possibly not appropriate for a University.

Education • Some advice given for MSc and PhD projects involving Mars at other 3 Universities in Denmark. • New staff teaching commitments after merger unclear.

Career development for • Good, with conference opportunities, seminars etc. 5 young researchers • “Product” well regarded by and attractive to industry

Industrial collaboration • Mars group collaborates with the Dutch company COSINE Wind 4 energy group collaborates extensively with industry, but not in space-related activities.

Funding • Well-funded, use some profits from sale of software/instruments 5 to finance curiosity-driven research.

International cooperation • Wind Energy group is a fairly active partner in international 5 collaborations; the extent of international collaboration by the Radiation Research group is somewhat unclear.

Societal and Economic • Produce software to aid wind farm placement, and train in its use, 5 relevance including in less developed countries.

Overall • 2 competent research groups making good use of space either 5 to supplement or alongside their terrestrial research.

Importance to Danish • Specialised activity in only a couple of space areas. 3 space research

Recommendations • Could expand space activities if they choose. • Clarity over impacts of merger with DTU needed. • Put further effort into the recruitment of PhD students.

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 87 A.1.14 Danish Meteorological different groups at DMI is also very Institute (DMI) good, and the Institute collaborates with some other research groups in Denmark, The Danish Meteorological Institute is a most notably through their leadership of government institute under the Ministry the successful Ørsted satellite mission. of Climate and Energy. It currently has However, the majority of DMI’s collabo- 2 research managers, 11 senior scientists rations are international and the Insti- and 8 scientists involved with space- tute coordinates some aspects of Arctic related research in the fields of Earth research campaigns. DMI have had some Observation and Space Technology. cooperation with Danish industry, mainly In total, DMI has approximately 350 related to the Ørsted satellite, and they employees and around 20% of these are provide consultancy services to a wide involved with research. range of bodies

Compared to similar organisations in Although the group does not currently other countries, research activities at have any PhD students working on space- DMI appear to play a more signifi- related research, staff members appeared cant role within the Institute and to be to have a firm grasp of the resources more diverse. Groups are involved with that would be necessary to support PhD research into climate, weather fore- students and how many students they casting, remote sensing using GPS occul- could realistically take on. One current tations, solar terrestrial physics, geomag- limitation to research at the Institute is a netism and sea ice and oceans. GPS shortage of skilled personnel; an increase occultations research is cutting edge, and in the number of PhD students could be DMI takes a leading role in the research one means of addressing this. However, connected with EUMETSAT. Although the Institute have struggled in the past to Ørsted is managed by DMI, the future find suitable PhD candidates. of their satellite geomagnetism research looks unclear since SWARM will be run DMI is largely externally funded and by DTU-Space. This situation has arisen a significant fraction of the researchers following Prof. E. Friis-Christensen’s are funded on soft money; the EU is move from DMI to DNSC (and hence currently a major source of funds. The DTU-Space) and may result in the loss of amount of internal funding for the DMI’s valuable experience and expertise Institute has reduced over the period of in this field. The publication rate varies the review, which has the potential to from group to group within the Institute adversely affect their research activities as a whole, but the overall level of publi- if it drops to a level where the Institute cation is very good given that this is not a becomes reliant on service work in order pure research facility. Cooperation within to survive. DMI have also struggled

88 to attract funds from research councils is spread very thin. Management at the without a University partner. However, Institute are aware of this issue. Given due to their necessity for weather fore- further funding, the research groups were casting, the government provides the conscious of areas that they would like Institute with excellent supercomputing to develop. However, the extent to which facilities, which can also be used for DMI will be able to influence future basic research. These computer facili- Danish space policy is unclear, given ties are upgraded regularly. The broad that they are now attached to a govern- future plans for the Institute are clear ment ministry which is not directly and incentives are offered to try to direct involved with space. It was emphasised research along certain lines. In general, that GMES is of great interest to DMI, basic research is particularly encouraged and although Denmark did not initially when it gives added value and can at subscribe to this programme, they have least indirectly support operational activi- since 2006 subscribed to the GMES ties. Ultimately however, each researcher Services Element (GSE). This is one of decides independently his or her area the two main programmes fully dedi- of specialisation, and this, in combina- cated to GMES service development, tion with funding running dry in certain and is managed by the Earth Observation areas, means that some of their research Programmes Directorate of ESA.

Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Publications and impact • Good, especially given that DMI is not primarily a research 5 organization. • Average publication rate of 1 space-related paper/year/staff member over the review period (space research only forms a part of some group members’ activities). • Average journal impact factor is 2.8. • Total of 2553 citations over this period.

Scientific quality • Variable research quality, cutting edge in the field of GPS 5 occultations. • Some groups make good use of space data to improve their core activities. • European leader in modelling microwave signatures of snow and ice.

Education • No current PhD students, little education activity. 2

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 89 Assessment Criteria Comments Grade

Career development for • Reasonably sized post-doctoral community. 5 young researchers • Young researchers have career paths within DMI.

Industrial collaboration • Good, mainly in relation to Ørsted. 5

Funding • Amount of internal funding has reduced over review period. 5 • EU is currently a major source of external funds. • Government provides up to date supercomputing facilities since accurate weather forecasting depends on them.

International cooperation • Active partner in international collaborations and some 6 collaboration with other Danish research groups.

Societal and Economic • Weather forecasts. 6 relevance • Offer consultancy services to a wide range of bodies. • Production of sea ice charts for Greenland waters; modelling of upper troposphere – lower stratosphere processes and climate change; operation of two of the arctic primary stations in the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC); development of an operational UV warning service.

Overall • Impressive research output given that this is not their primary role. 5 • Collaborative and supportive environment – groups support and appreciate the value of work done by other research groups within the institute.

Importance to Danish • Wide ranging contributions to the Danish effort. 5 space research

Recommendations • Take further action to strengthen research areas, at present research is very thinly spread. However, the Panel recognizes that this distribution of research is almost inevitable given DMI’s formal roles and responsibilities. • Resolve uncertainty over the future of satellite Geomagnetism. • Establish a formal consultation mechanism at ministerial level to ensure that space aspects of DMI activity are considered by the Agency responsible for space policy. • Put more effort into monitoring climate change in the Arctic. • Build bridges with University departments in order to attract good potential PhD candidates.

90 A.1.15 Summary of the Scores for the Research Groups 4 4 5 5 5 5 3 2 4 3 7 3 5 Importance to Danish space research 5 4 4 6 6 4 5 2 4 7 5 5 5 Overall 5 3 5 4 5 3 5 5 5 4 4 5 6 Societal and Economic relevance 5 4 5 7 6 3 5 3 5 6 6 5 6 International International cooperation 5 4 3 5 6 5 4 3 4 6 4 5 5 Funding 5 3 5 3 6 4 5 1 2 2 4 4 5 Industrial - collabora tion 5 4 2 6 5 3 4 2 4 7 2 5 5 - develop Career ment for young researchers 6 5 3 5 4 4 5 2 5 7 3 3 2 Education 6 4 5 6 6 3 5 3 5 7 5 5 5 Scientific quality 5 4 5 6 6 4 5 2 5 7 5 4 5 Publica - tions and impact Biomedical sciences, KU AUSC GPS Centre Physics & Astronomy, Aarhus Mars Simulation Laboratory Elektro-DTU & Geography KU Geology, ENSPAC NBI DARK DTU-Space Risø DMI

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 91 A.2 Data Supporting 9.00 - 9.45 Meeting with management

the Review 9.50 - 10.35 Meeting with senior staff

The Panel was provided with the 10.35- 10.50 Break following documents, which related to the funding of Danish space activi- 10.50- 11.35 Meeting with junior staff ties, the institutions involved with space research, future plans and the industrial 11.40- 12.00 Meeting with management landscape: 12.00- 13.00 Lunch • Analysis and strategy concerning the special effort by ESA to re-balance the In some cases, the Panel agreed with the Danish return coefficient, Summary group in question to modify this time- report, 31st March 2004, Chresten table, for example in cases where there Overbeck. were no junior staff members or when the group felt that it would be beneficial for • 2005 Figures for research, January the Panel to receive a tour of their facili- 2006, Danish Research Agency. ties. The Panel spoke to all researchers within their department, except those • Danish Astronomy 2007-2017: A from Roskilde University. In the case of strategy report for the Development of the group from Roskilde, the Panel met 4 Danish Astronomy in the New Euro- staff members at Copenhagen University. pean and Global Context, June 2007, Danish Astronomy Committee. A.4 The Review Fortnight

A.3 Principles for The following abbreviations are used in Site Visits the table below for the Panel members: GH: Prof. Günter Hein The Institutes were informed that the JS: Prof. José A. Sobrino Panel had already read the self-evaluation documents and that the Panel would JJ: Prof. Jens Jordan like to meet directors, scientific staff NT: Prof. Nicolas Thomas and students during the site visits. The following is an example of the suggested LN: Dr. Lennart Nordh timetable for a site visit: KW: Prof. Kathryn Whaler

92 Date Morning Afternoon

Monday 31st Panel meets to plan visits Panel meets with Cecilie Tornøe, Gorm March Petersen and Poul Schjørring from the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation Panel members present: KW, GH, JJ, LN Panel members present: KW, GH, JJ, LN

Tuesday 1st Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen Uni- Travel to Aalborg April versity Panel members present: KW, GH, JJ, LN

Wednesday Aalborg University Space Centre (AUSC) Danish GPS Centre 2nd April Panel members present: KW, GH, LN Panel members present: KW, GH, LN

Thursday Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University Mars Simulation Laboratory 3rd April Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT

Friday 4th Elektro-DTU April Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT Panel members present: KW, GH

Monday 7th Geography and Geology, ENSPAC (at Copenhagen University) April Copenhagen University Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT, JS Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT, JS

Tuesday 8th NBI Dark Cosmology Centre April Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT, JS Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT, JS

Wednesday DTU-Space DTU-Space 9th April Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT, JS Panel members present: KKW, GH, LN, NT, JS

Thursday Risø-DTU DMI 10th April Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT, JS Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT, JS

Friday 11th Panel meets with Brian Landbo from Ram- Panel recaps site visits. April bøll management and Gorm Petersen and Henrik Grage from the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT, JS Panel members present: KW, GH, LN, NT, JS

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 93 A.5 The Panel

Professor Dr. Günter Hein, University FAF Munich, Germany Research interests: Geodesy and Satellite Navigation

Professor Dr. Jens Jordan, Hanover Medical School, Germany Research interests: Space Medicine and the International Space Station

Dr. Lennart Nordh, Swedish National Space Board, Sweden Research interests: Astronomy and Instrumentation

Professor José A. Sobrino, University of Valencia, Spain Research interests: Remote Sensing and Earth Observation

Professor Dr. Nicolas Thomas, University of Berne, Switzerland Research interests: Solar System Physics and Planetary Science

Professor Kathryn Whaler, University of Edinburgh, UK (Chair) Research interests: Geophysics, especially Geomagnetism

Dr. Caroline Francis (Review Secretary)

94 Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 95 A.5 Acronyms

AMMA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses

AMS Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

ASIM Atmosphere-Space Interaction Monitor

AUSC Aalborg University Space Centre

CERN Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire

CMB Cosmic Microwave Background

DARK Dark Cosmology Centre

DARS Danish Astrophysics Research School

DGC Danish GPS Centre

DMI Danish Meteorological Institute

DNSC Danish National Space Centre

DSRI Danish Space Research Institute

DTU Danish Technical University

ENSPAC Department of Environmental, Social and Spatial Change, University of Roskilde

ESA European Space Agency

ESO European Southern Observatory

ESRF European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

ESRO European Space Research Organisation

96 GMES Global Monitoring for Environment and Security

GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System

GPS Global Positioning System

GRAS Geographic Resource Analysis and Science

GSTP General Support Technology Programme

IDA Instrument centre for Danish Astrophysics

ISS International Space Station

JWST James Webb Space Telescope

KMS Kort & Matrikelstyrelsen

KU Copenhagen University

LISA Laser Interferometry Space Antenna

MIRI Mid InfraRed Instrument

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NBI Niels Bohr Institute

PLATO PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars

PRODEX PROgramme de Développement d’EXperiences scientifiques

SMOS Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity

WMAP Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe

XEUS X-ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy

Evaluation of the Danish Contributions to Space Research 97 Denmark has been a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 1975. Danish universities and Danish industries participate in all major areas of space research and development of space technologies.

In order to focus national priorities in the space area the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation initiated an evaluation of the Danish Space effort. A consultancy company looked into the results and spin-off of the Danish industrial and technological participation in ESA programmes. An international peer review panel was asked to evaluate the quality of the Danish space research.

This publication encompasses the evaluation of Danish space research and the peer review panel’s recommendations for the future of the Danish space effort.