| Mission |
Instruments
|
RAL
involvement |
Main
objectives |
|
Contact
|
|
ACE
|
|
Ground station
|
Monitors the speed, composition and magnetic field of the solar wind
|
25 Aug 1997
|
Peter Allan
|
|
ACECHEM
|
|
Milimeter-wave Acquisitions for Stratosphere/Troposphere Exchange Research
|
Provides innovative, global measurements of atmospheric composition in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere
|
2015
|
Brian Kerridge
|
|
ALMA
|
|
Designs for the cryostat, millimetre wave reference oscillator, advising on software desgins
|
ALMA is the largest telescope ever constructed to operate at the very highest radio frequencies, RAL also hosts the ALMA UK project office.
|
|
Brian Ellison
|
|
Alouette 1
|
|
Ground station
|
Measured the topside of the ionosphere.
|
29 Sep 1962
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
Alouette 2
|
|
Ground station
|
Measured the topside of the ionosphere.
|
29 Nov 1965
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
AMDI
|
|
Based at RAL
|
Analysing the distribution of trace gases in the middle atmosphere
|
|
Bryan Lawrence
|
|
AMPTE
|
|
Instrumentation, operation of control centre, Data analysis
|
Explored plasma phenomena in near-Earth space
|
16 Aug 1984
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
Ariel-5
|
|
Project management, operations, ground-system hardware and software for planning, data processing
|
Monitoring the X-ray sky with a comprehensive payload.
|
15 Oct 1974
|
Brian Stewart
|
|
Ariel-6
|
|
Project management, operations, ground-system hardware and software for planning, data processing
|
Monitoring the X-ray sky with a comprehensive payload.
|
2 Jun 1979
|
Richard Holdaway
|
|
Astrogrid
|
|
RAL is a partner in the project
|
Astrogrid is part of the world-wide drive towards the concept of a Virtual Observatory
|
|
Peter Allan
|
|
BADC
|
|
Based at RAL
|
Supplying the scientific community with atmospheric data
|
|
Bryan Lawrence
|
|
BADR-B
|
|
CCD (Charge Couple Device) camera
|
To advance Pakistan's small satellite technology while developing international links
|
10 Dec 2001
|
Nick Waltham
|
|
BepiColombo
|
MIXS
|
Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer, Principle Investigators for MIXS (proposed)
|
To reveal composition and history of the least explored planet
|
2013
|
Sarah Dunkin
|
|
Bilsat-1
|
|
Environmental testing
|
Earth remote sensing and spacecraft technology demonstration
|
27 Sep 2003
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
BROADWAN
|
|
RCRU Radiocommunications systems, radiowave propagation, simulation tools
|
Development of wireless systems for broadband services
|
|
Mike Willis
|
|
Cassini/Huygens
|
CAPS, CDA, SSP
|
Cassini Plasma Spectrometer, Cosmic Dust Analyser, Surface Science Package (aboard Huygens)
|
To explore Saturn and its rings
|
13 Oct 1997
|
John Delderfield
|
|
CCSDS
|
|
British representative
|
To promote the use of standard techniques for handling space data
|
|
Peter Allan
|
|
CFARR
|
Radars, lidars, ceilometers, radiometers, radio links, rain gauges and meteorological sensors
|
Operate Chilbolton Facilities for Atmospheric and Radio Research at CCLRC Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire UK
|
Ground-based measurements of precipitation, cloud, water vapour and aerosol
|
|
John Goddard
|
|
Chandrayaan-1
|
C1XS
|
Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer
|
Mapping the entire lunar surface in X-rays
|
1 Jul 2008
|
Brian Maddison
|
|
Climateprediction.net
|
|
Part of consortium handling project
|
Forecasting the climate of the 21st century
|
|
Jamie Kettlebrough
|
|
Cluster II
|
RAPID, PEACE
|
Research with Adaptive Particle Imaging Detectors, Plasma Electron And Current Experiment, UK Cluster Data Centre
|
To receive information about how the solar wind affects our planet in three dimensions
|
16 Jul 2000
|
Chris Perry
|
|
Coriolis
|
SMEI
|
Solar Mass Ejection Imager
|
To demonstrate the viability of using polarimetry to measure ocean surface wind speed
|
6 Jan 2003
|
Nick Waltham
|
|
CORONAS-F
|
RESIK
|
RESIK (X-ray detectors)
|
Solar flare observations
|
31 Jul 2001
|
Jim Lang
|
|
CRRES
|
|
MICCS
|
To measure electric fields in outerspace to understand how the Earth extracts energy from solar wind
|
25 Jul 1990
|
Manuel Grande
|
|
CUTLASS
|
|
Data usage in conjuction with EISCAT data, data archiving.
|
A twin-station HF radar to study the high latitude ionosphere.
|
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
Darwin
|
|
Scientific study
|
Finding Earth-like planets
|
2014
|
Sarah Dunkin
|
|
Double Star Equatorial
|
|
EPOS (European Payload Operation Service)
|
To study the effects of the Sun on the Earth's environment
|
29 Dec 2003
|
Trevor Dimbylow
|
|
Double Star Polar
|
|
EPOS (European Payload Operation Service)
|
To study the effects of the Sun on the Earth's environment
|
26 Jul 2004
|
Trevor Dimbylow
|
|
Earthshine
|
|
Scientific operations based at RAL
|
|
|
Mike Lockwood
|
|
EISCAT
|
|
The RAL EISCAT Group supports the work of UK scientists
|
To study the ionosphere, the ionised region of the Earth's atmosphere
|
|
Ian McCrea
|
|
ENVISAT
|
AATSR, MIPAS
|
Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer and Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding
|
To support the monitoring and studying of the Earth's environment and climate changes
|
1 Mar 2002
|
Chris Mutlow
|
|
EOS-AQUA
|
HSB
|
Humidity Sounder for Brazil
|
To collect information about the Earth's water cycle
|
4 May 2002
|
Brian Moyna
|
|
EOS-AURA
|
HIRDLS
|
High Resolution Dynamic Limb Sounder
|
To observe the atmosphere in order to answer high priority environmental questions
|
15 Jul 2004
|
Nigel Morris
|
|
ERS-1
|
ATSR-1
|
Along Track Scanning Radiometer-1
|
Accurate measurements of global sea surface temperature
|
17 Jul 1991
|
Chris Mutlow
|
|
ERS-2
|
ATSR-2, GOME
|
Along Track Scanning Radiometer-2,Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment
|
Accurate measurements of global sea surface temperature and atmospheric ozone
|
12 Apr 1995
|
Chris Mutlow
|
|
ESRO-1A (Aurorae)
|
S71A, S71E
|
Two instruments to measure electron and proton intensities and spectra
|
To investigate the effects of high-energy charged particles on the polar ionosphere
|
3 Oct 1968
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
ESRO-1B (Boreas)
|
S71A, S71E
|
Two instruments to measure electron and proton intensities and spectra
|
To investigate the effects of high-energy charged particles on the polar ionosphere
|
1 Oct 1969
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
EUNIS
|
|
Calibration, Co-Investigators
|
To probe the structure and dynamics of the inner solar corona
|
|
Barry Kent
|
|
FedSat
|
|
Environmental testing
|
To conduct a number of space science, communications, remote sensing and engineering experiments
|
14 Dec 2002
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
Galileo - Giove A
|
|
Telemetry and telecommand from RAL; signal verification from Chilbolton.
|
Demonstration of Galileo operation using the Giove A satellite
|
28 Dec 2005
|
Prof John Goddard
|
|
Gemini
|
|
Telescope Control System
|
To observe the sky in the optical and IR.
|
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
Ginga
|
|
Astro C
|
To observe all classes of cosmic X-ray sources then known
|
5 Feb 1987
|
Jim Lang
|
|
Giotto
|
DIDSY, JPA
|
Dust Impact Detection System, Johnstone Plasma Analyser
|
Encounters with comets Halley and Grigg–Skjellerup
|
2 Jul 1985
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
Herschel Space Observatory
|
SPIRE
|
Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver
|
Exploring the formation of stars and galaxies
|
2008
|
Ken King
|
|
HotBird 7
|
|
Environmental testing
|
For direct television and radio broadcast across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East
|
11 Dec 2002
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
Hubble Space Telescope
|
|
Software and observation.
|
Seeking answers to fundamental questions about the universe
|
24 Apr 1990
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
IMAGE
|
|
Data archiving, scientific study
|
Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration
|
25 Apr 2000
|
Manuel Grande
|
|
Ionospheric Monitoring Group
|
|
Based and run from RAL
|
Monitoring the Ionosphere
|
|
Sarah James
|
|
IRAS
|
|
Daily operations
|
To survey the whole sky and measure the infrared radiation from astronomical objects
|
25 Jan 1983
|
Helen Walker
|
|
ISIS 1
|
|
Ground station
|
Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space
|
30 Jan 1969
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
ISIS 2
|
|
Ground station
|
Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space
|
1 Apr 1971
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
ISO
|
LWS, ISOPHOT, CAM
|
Long Wavelength Spectrograph , Imaging Photo Polarimeter and the ISO Camera
|
It made important discoveries about interstellar dust, and its data still produce results today.
|
17 Nov 1995
|
Helen Walker
|
|
IUE
|
|
Cameras, Image processing and archiving.
|
Ultraviolet space Observatory
|
26 Jan 1978
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
JWST (James Webb Space Telescope)
|
MIRI
|
Thermal systems for MIRI Mid InfraRed Instrument and AIV, project science, contamination control, thermal hardware
|
will help to solve outstanding questions about our place in the evolving Universe.
|
2013
|
Sam Elder
|
|
LISA
|
|
Optical bench, Engineering models, charge neutraliser
|
Detecting gravitational waves is the goal of ESA's future LISA mission
|
2017
|
Barry Kent
|
|
Lisa Pathfinder
|
|
Inertial sensor development, optical bench, and micro-thrusters
|
Developing technology for LISA mission
|
2007
|
Cormac Neeson
|
|
Long Term Measurement Campaign (LTMC)
|
|
RCRU radiocommunications
|
To improve our knowledge of the correlation of radio interference in order to make better use of spectrum
|
|
Mike Willis
|
|
Maroc - Tubsat
|
|
Development of imaging instruments
|
Earth remote sensing and vegetation detection with a medium resolution of about 300 m
|
10 Dec 2001
|
Nick Waltham
|
|
Mars Express
|
Aspera-3, Beagle 2, MEX-POS
|
Analyser of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms 3, Beagle 2, Mars Express Payload Operation Service
|
Looking for water and past or present life on Mars
|
2 Jun 2003
|
Manuel Grande
|
|
MARSCHALS
|
|
RAL is leading the UK consortium
|
Aircraft instrument to measure ozone, water vapour and carbon monoxide in the upper troposphere
|
2005
|
Brian Moyna
|
|
Minisat-1
|
LEGRI
|
Low Energy Gamma Ray Imager
|
Studying the low energy gamma radiation
|
21 Apr 1997
|
Bruce Swinyard
|
|
MSG-1
|
GERB-1
|
Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget -1
|
Making accurate measurements of the Earth Radiation Budget
|
28 Aug 2002
|
Eric Sawyer
|
|
MSG-2
|
GERB-2
|
Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget -2
|
Making accurate measurements of the Earth Radiation Budget
|
21 Dec 2005
|
Eric Sawyer
|
|
MSG-3
|
GERB-3
|
Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget -3
|
Making accurate measurements of the Earth Radiation Budget
|
2009
|
Eric Sawyer
|
|
MST Radar
|
|
Data storage and supply, computer systems
|
Studying atmospheric winds, waves and turbulence.
|
|
David Hooper
|
|
NEODC
|
|
NERC Earth Observation Data Centre based at RAL, data aquisition and processing.
|
To supply EO data to the NERC community
|
|
Matt Pritchard
|
|
NEXUS
|
|
Calibration, operations
|
To study the solar corona, solar wind and CMEs at a high resolution
|
2011
|
Andrzej Fludra
|
|
NigeriaSat-1
|
|
Environmental testing
|
Data will be used within Nigeria to monitor pollution, land use and other medium-scale phenomena
|
27 Sep 2003
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
NOAA-M
|
AMSU-B
|
Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-B
|
To improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events
|
24 Jun 2002
|
Brian Moyna
|
|
NOZOMI
|
|
Hardware design and testing
|
To study the interactions of the solar wind with the Mars upper atmosphere
|
4 Jul 1998
|
Manuel Grande
|
|
OAO-3
|
|
Satellite operations at Goddard Space Flight Centre
|
To observe the celestial sphere from above the earth's atmosphere
|
21 Aug 1972
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
Planck
|
HFI, LFI
|
High Frequency Instrument and the Low Frequency Instrument
|
Help astronomers to develop theories describing its birth and evolution
|
2008
|
Roger Emery
|
|
Polar
|
CEPPAD, CAMMICE
|
Comprehensive Energetic Pitch Particle Angle Distribution instrument and CAMMICE (Charge And Mass Magnetospheric Ion Composition)
|
Earth aurorae & high-latitude magnetoshereic phenomena, composition of magnetospheric particles.
|
24 Feb 1996
|
Manuel Grande
|
|
PULSAUR
|
IES
|
Imaging Electron Spectrometer
|
To make measurements inside an active auroral display
|
9 Feb 1994
|
Manuel Grande
|
|
ROSAT
|
WFC
|
Wide Field Camera
|
Provided a tremendous amount of new scientific data and insights-X-ray astronomy
|
1 Jun 1990
|
Brian Stewart
|
|
Rosetta
|
Ptolemy
|
Engineered the Ptolemy instrument aboard the Rosetta lander Philae
|
To rendezvous with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
|
2 Mar 2004
|
Martin Whalley
|
|
SEDAT
|
|
RAL is developing this database system
|
To create a database containing 'Space weather' information to combat engineering problems
|
|
Mike Hapgood
|
|
SERTS
|
|
Calibration, Co-Investigators
|
Solar UV Rocket
|
*
|
Barry Kent
|
|
SMART-1
|
D-CIXS
|
Demonstration of a Compact Imaging X-ray Spectrometer
|
Mapping the entire lunar surface in X-rays
|
* 27 Sep 2003
|
Chris Howe, Barry Kellett
|
|
SMM
|
XRP
|
X-Ray Polychromator
|
To study of solar magnetic fields associated with the flare phenomenon
|
14 Feb 1980
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
SOHO
|
CDS
|
Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer
|
Solar observatory
|
2 Dec 1995
|
Richard Harrison
|
|
Solar B
|
EIS
|
Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer
|
To unravel the mysteries and mechanisms of the activities taking place in the solar corona
|
22 Sep 2006
|
Peter Young
|
|
Solar Dynamics Observatory
|
AIA, HMI
|
Atmospheric Imaging Assembly and Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager
|
to help us understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space
|
2008
|
Andrzej Fludra
|
|
Solar Orbiter
|
EUS
|
Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer
|
Making close up and high latitude observations of the Sun and inner heliosphere.
|
2015
|
Richard Harrison
|
|
Solar Probe
|
|
Awaiting mission approval for confirmation on our involvement
|
Solar Observation
|
2012
|
Andrzej Fludra
|
|
Spacelab 2
|
CHASE
|
Coronal Helium Abundance Spacelab Experiment
|
Solar UV spectroscopy
|
29 Jul 1985
|
Jim Lang
|
|
Spectrum-X
|
JET-X
|
Joint European X-ray Telescope
|
X-ray astronomy
|
*
|
Brian Stewart
|
|
SPICA
|
|
Leading a Europe wide study into the provision of an intrument to study the formation of galaxies like the Milky Way.
|
Infrared and submillimetre satellite observatory
|
2013
|
Bruce Swinyard
|
|
Starlink
|
|
Based at RAL
|
To provide interactive data reduction and analysis tools for use in UK research.
|
|
David Giaretta
|
|
Stellat
|
|
Environmental testing
|
A multi-purpose communications satellite
|
5 Jul 2002
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
STEP
|
|
Cryogenic harness for probe
|
To investigate the equivalence of inertia and passive gravitational mass
|
*
|
Barry Kent
|
|
STEREO
|
SECCHI
|
Sun Earth Connection Coronal Heliospheric Observatory
|
To advance the understanding of the three-dimensional structure of the Sun's corona
|
26 Oct 2006
|
Richard Harrison
|
|
STRV-1 c/d
|
|
Ground station
|
To test various spacecraft systems and technologies in orbit
|
15 Nov 2000
|
John Wright
|
|
Subaru
|
FMOS
|
Optical and thermal design of the spectrograph, fabrication of camera/ detector system
|
To design and construct a Prime Focus fibre fed IR spectrograph system
|
|
Ian Tosh
|
|
Swift
|
|
Environmental testing
|
The fast-moving gamma-ray burst detection satellite
|
20 Nov 2004
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
TELIS
|
|
RAL is developing a high-sensitivity (4K) 500 GHz receiver
|
Measurement of stratospheric BrO and ClO from high-altitude balloon
|
2005
|
Bryan Lawrence
|
|
TopSat
|
RALCAM
|
High-resolution camera
|
Creating smaller better technology
|
27 Oct 2005
|
Nigel Morris
|
|
TRACE
|
|
Co-Investigators
|
To study the connections between magnetic fields & the associated plasma structures on the Sun
|
2 Apr 1998
|
Richard Harrison
|
|
UARS
|
ISAMS, MLS
|
Improved Stratospheric and Mesospheric Sounder, Microwave Limb Sounder
|
Measured ozone and chemical compounds found in the ozone layer
|
15 Sep 1991
|
Bryan Lawrence
|
|
UK CDHF for STP
|
|
Based at RAL
|
To support the UK STP community
|
|
Chris Perry
|
|
UK-1 (Ariel)
|
|
Ground station
|
To examine ionosphere and of sun-ionosphere relationships
|
26 Apr 1962
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
UK-2 (Ariel)
|
|
Ground station
|
Measuring galactic radio noise
|
27 Mar 1964
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
UK-3 (Ariel)
|
|
Ground station
|
To extend the previous UK satellite investigations in space
|
5 May 1967
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
UK-4 (Ariel)
|
|
Ground station
|
Investigating electromagnetic waves, plasmas, and energetic particles
|
11 Dec 1971
|
Jeremy Curtis
|
|
UK-DMC
|
|
Environmental testing
|
To provide images of disaster areas
|
27 Sep 2003
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
Ulysses
|
|
Environmental testing
|
Ulysses is the first mission to study the environment of space above and below the poles of the Sun
|
6 Oct 1990
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
UoSat-12
|
|
Environmental testing
|
To carry a wide range of Earth Observation and communications payloads
|
21 Apr 1999
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
Venus Express
|
Aspera-4
|
Analyser of Space Plasmas and Engergetic Atoms - 4
|
To perform a global investigation of the Venusian atmosphere.
|
9 Nov 2005
|
Malcolm Dunlop
|
|
Viking
|
MICS
|
MICS instrument
|
Magnetospheric research mission
|
22 Apr 1986
|
Manuel Grande
|
|
VISTA
|
|
RAL is leading a consortium with UKATC and Durham University
|
Will be the world-leading facility for and IR (and potentially for optical) survey work.
|
|
Kim Ward
|
|
WDC
|
|
World Data Centre (for solar terrestrial physics) based at RAL
|
Collects and holds a wide range of data for STP
|
|
Matthew Wild
|
|
XMM
|
EPIC
|
European Photon Imaging Camera
|
Increasing our knowledge of very hot objects created when the Universe was very young
|
10 Dec 1999
|
Graham Toplis
|
|
Yohkoh
|
BCS
|
Bragg Crystal Spectrometer
|
Studying X-rays and gamma-rays from the Sun
|
3 Oct 1991
|
Jim Lang
|
