Since 1994 the ESSC had 3 panels dedicated to "classical" space science (ESPSP), Earth observation (EEOP), and life & physical sciences in space (ELIPS). However space science topics have evolved substantially in the past 15 years, along with an increased call to trans-disciplinary activities. Subjects such as solar system exploration, exo/astrobiology, GMES, space weather, etc, now tend to fall between the cracks of disciplines as covered by the ESSC panels, or are overlapping across these panels.
The January 2008 plenary meeting of the ESSC thus agreed to a new structure comprising four panels dealing with:
- Astronomy and Fundamental Physics - AFP
- Solar System & Exploration - SSEP
- Research in Weightlessness (life and physical sciences) - RWP
- Earth sciences (including space policy and space law) - ESP
Solar System and Exploration Panel - SSEP
- Hermann Opgenoorth (Earth sciences & space physics), Swedish Institute of Space Physics (Panel Chair)
- Athena Coustenis (outer planets), LESIA Meudon
- Ester Antonucci (Solar Physics), INAF Torino
- Mahesh Anand (Moon), Open University, Milton Keynes
- Franck Montmessin (terrestrial planets), IPSL Paris
- Karri Muinonen (small bodies), University of Helsinki
- Gerhard Paar (robotics), Joanneum Research, Graz
- Petra Rettberg (astrobiology), DLR Köln
An offspring from the former space science panel (ESPSP), the SSEP will deal with solar system science and exploration (both robotic and human exploration). Successive Chairs of E(SP)² were Herbert Schnopper (Denmark), Johann Bleeker (Netherlands), Jean-Loup Puget (France), and Catherine Turon (France).
The ESPSP was very active in the past few years in the assessment of, and recommendations on, the future of ESA’s space science programme, but also in dealing with studies on international cooperation in space science. In 2003, a major report on "demography of European space science" was produced by the ESSC, in which that panel played a major role. Members of the panel were also heavily involved in the evaluations carried out in 2006 and 2007 to produce a report to ESA on a science-driven scenario for exploration.
Research in Weightlessness Panel - RWP
- Dominique Langevin (fluid physics and foams), CNRS Paris (Panel Chair)
- Anne Pavy-le-Traon (neurology), Toulouse
- Alexander Choukèr (physiology), München
- Berndt Feuerbacher (solid state physics), Germany
- Hubertus Thomas (complex plasmas), Germany
- Helen J. Fraser (ices/physical sciences), Milton Keynes
- Peter Preu (materials science), Germany
- Roberto Piazza (colloids), Milano
- Sarah Baatout, Belgium
A successor to the ELIPSP (formerly, EMP). ELIPSP met for the first time on 19 September 1994 in Paris and has produced recommendations that were included in the ESSC position papers concerning the International Space Station, and recommending in particular that microgravity research should become a mandatory programme within ESA. Successive Chairs of ELIPSP were Dick Mesland (Netherlands), Jean-Claude Legros (Belgium), Gerda Horneck (Germany), Daniel Beysens (France), Pascale Ehrenfreund (Netherlands), and Monica Grady (United Kingdom).
The ELIPSP was involved in 2000, 2004-2005 and 2008 in major reports commissionned by ESA and concerning the evaluation of ESA’s research plan in life and physical sciences in space (ELIPS programme). They also participated in the 2006, 2007 and 2012 evaluation of science in the exploration programme of ESA.
Earth Sciences Panel - ESP
- Ian Brown (glaciology), University of Stockholm (Panel Chair)
- Andreas Kääb, (Earth Observation and satellite based glaciology) Oslo university
- Pepijn Veefkind (climate research), De Bilt
- Maarten Krol (atmospheric physics/chemistry), Wageningen
- Laurence Eymard (ocean/atmosphere), Paris
A successor to the EEOP, which was formed in February 1992 by the ESSC with the specific objective of providing general independent assessments and recommendations of all facets of the European Earth Observation programmes. Successive Chairs of the EEOP since its inception were Klaus Hasselmann (Germany), Robert Gurney (United Kingdom), Paul Simon (Belgium), Jean-Louis Fellous (France), and Christiane Schmullius (Germany). As its first task after its creation, the EEOP produced a major report titled "A Strategy for Earth Observation from Space", published by ESF in September 1992. It was hoped that the space agencies in Europe would be able to incorporate its basic tenets in their planning.
Among many topics, the Panel strongly recommended that the science part of ESA’s Earth Observation Programme should become mandatory. Although this is not the case today, ESA’s Earth Observation Envelope Programme, decided by ESA Ministers meeting in Brussels in May 1999, incorporates some long-term planning and funding elements, which is clearly a step in the right direction.
Astronomy and Fundamental Physics Panel - AFP
- Stéphane Udry (exoplanets), Geneva Observatory and University of Geneva (Panel Chair)
- Conny Aerts (asteroseismology), Leuven
- Pierre Binetruy (fundamental physics), Paris
- Paolo de Bernardis (IR & sub-mm astronomy), Roma
- Jordi Torra (galactic astronomy), Barcelona
The AFP is also an offspring from the ESPSP, which met for the first time on 19 September 1994 in Paris and provided specific advice concerning the "classical" space science elements of ESA’s and Europe’s programmes, i.e. astronomy & astrophysics, planetary exploration, space & solar physics, fundamental physics. Successive Chairs of E(SP)² were Herbert Schnopper (Denmark), Johann Bleeker (Netherlands), Jean-Loup Puget (France), and Catherine Turon (France).
The E(SP)² has been very active in the past few years in the assessment of, and recommendations on, the future of ESA’s space science programme, but also in dealing with studies on international cooperation in space science. In 2003, a major report on "demography of European space science" was produced by the ESSC, in which the E(SP)² played a major role.
