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Space.si

04.11.09

Space sciences and technologies are in the process of revolutionary transition which is especially strong in the area of micro and nano satellite technologies where drastic reduction of development, launching and exploitation costs has been achieved by radical miniaturisation of integrated subsystems and relatively cheap Commercial-of-the-Shelf Components (COTS). Due to these fundamental changes space is no longer reserved only to large RTD players from economically powerful nations.

This technological transition has on one hand made scientific investigations in astrophysics and cosmology more feasible and on the other hand enabled development of new types of end-user services in meteorology and Earth observation. The newly emerging technologies for interactive remote sensing of Earth from space will considerably improve local and global situational awareness about important environmental and socio-economic issues related to climate change, weather, hydrology, forestry, agriculture, urban development and risks for natural disasters.
The consortium of Slovenian scientists and engineers from academic institutions, high-tech SMEs and large industrial and insurance companies has recognised high potentials of newly emerging technologies and applications. Due to their excellent S&T potential for the development of MEMS micro-propulsion systems, satellite control, communications, data and image processing as well as virtual and experimental investigations of micro and nano satellite systems, the proposed Centre of Excellence (CE) will enable Slovenia to efficiently join international state-of-the-art in space RTD. This will be strongly supported by the network of strategic EU partners from Sweden, Germany, France, the Netherlands, UK and Austria who will ensure RTD access to the most advanced space missions including PRISMA, LAPAN-TUBSAT, VENUS and GAIA.

Because micro/nano satellites are clearly »complex systems and innovative technologies« capable of monitoring climate and environmental conditions including effects of »green house gases«, the proposed CE is perfectly in line with priority research area of this call as well as with the horizontal objective aimed at »transition to the low carbon society«. Other socio- economic transitions that will be supported by this CE are aimed towards high-tech production in the region, presence of ambitious creative paradigms in the society which are expected to encourage young talents to study natural sciences and engineering. CO will strongly support Slovenia in the process of joining ESA and will therefore reduce the long lasting gap between space RTD levels in Europe and Slovenia which ranks very low in these investments even amongst newly associated states.

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