Ambient space plasma can induce electrostatic noise in a linear antenna onboard a spacecraft. The resulting quasi-thermal noise (QTN) intensity spectrum as a function of frequency depends on the plasma parameters. The phenomenon can be utilised for inferring the plasma parameters if one measures the induced noise by a sensitive radio receiver. This is called QTN spectroscopy and it has been demonstrated and validated in several space missions that the technique is able to uncover the correct plasma parameters.

Gaps in existing radiation environment and effects standards adversely affect human spaceflight developments. The most important drivers in the domain of interplanetary and planetary radiation environments were investigated, identifying appropriate data sources and modelling methods to address the needs of future interplanetary manned mission design and operation.

GNSSBICS is a feasibility study carried out in the frame of the ESA’s General Studies Programme (GSP)
by DEIMOS-Space, Deimos-Engenharia and ESA.
This activity investigated what G/S infrastructure would be necessary to develop a System, named as GNSS-BICS (GNSS Bias Calibration System), in charge of providing, under demand, the GNSS MEO S/C SISBAF (Signal-In-Space Biases Amongst Frequencies), from GNSS observations gathered by GNSS multi-frequency receivers on-board LEO satellites (potentially from different missions).

While most Earth Observation missions based on passive optical methods are intended to measure the light “reflected” by the surface, FLEX uses a completely innovative approach based on the measurement of the light “emitted” as fluorescence by terrestrial vegetation. Such fluorescence emission by vegetation has never been measured from space, which makes FLEX a true Explorer mission providing a type of information never available before.

The Swedish PRISMA IRIDES experiment (Iterative Reduction of Inspection Distance with Embedded Safety) encompassed the transfer of the PRISMA MANGO spacecraft to the non-operational and un-prepared CNES PICARD spacecraft with close range rendezvous and inspection. The rendezvous and inspection phases were intended to be performed by on-ground calculated deltaV manoeuvers based on the available relative-navigation data.

The space debris environment poses an ever-increasing risk to spacecraft particularly in low Earth orbits (LEO). Due to limitations of existing vulnerability models, increasing the overall survivability of a spacecraft by enhancing the protection of sensitive parts was not possible in the past. The aim of this study was to adopt and develop methodologies that allow increasing the survivability of a spacecraft by varying individual parameters, e.g. the position of sensitive components or the thickness of component casings.

Chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) is a natural spectral emission resulting from the interaction of plant chlorophyll pigment with visible light (typically 400‐700 nm). In photosynthesizing tissues, red and far‐red light can be emitted from any chlorophyll‐containing plant tissues which are exposed to light: primarily foliage, but also green stems, green exposed roots, floral structures, many fruits, and green seeds.

In conclusion this Phase A-B1 study contract has provided:
• Confirmation that the mission concept described in phase 0 is feasible and relevant
• Consolidation of mission objectives and mission requirements
• An updated mission architecture and system design solving many of the problem areas identified in Phase 0
• A roadmap for distribution of relevant documentation and tools to experimenters throughout the project

This document describes the activities and the findings performed in the frame of the ODET-μ (Optical DETection in Microfluidics) project by Kayser Italia, a SME enterprise.
In this project, technologies for the integration of optical components were reviewed to define the “state of the art” in the field of integrated optics for detection on Lab On a Chip devices (LoCs).
LoCs are microfluidics based systems aiming at the miniaturization onto a single substrate (chip) of several functionalities that typically would require an entire biological laboratory.

Beginning in June 2012, an MSSL-led team have performed a study of the requirements and design of a Lunar Surface Camera Package for Exploration L- CAM for the ESA Lunar Lander. However, the Lunar Lander program was terminated by the ESA Ministerial Council in November 2012. As a result, with four of the six TNs requested in the SoW completed, ESA instructed MSSL to concentrate work on the L-CAM thermal model. The following final report is therefore composed of TNs 1- 4 and the Thermal Report.