An international research network, exploring solutions to asteroids and space debris, has announced a competition for students and researchers around the world.<\/p>\n
The EU H2020 MCSA ETN Stardust-Reloaded (Stardust-R) led by Prof Massimiliano Vasile at the University of Strathclyde, has launched the Andrea Milani Challenge in collaboration with the European Space Agencys Advanced Concepts Team (ESA ACT).<\/p>\n
Teams are invited to address two problems in the fields of asteroid deflection and space debris monitoring and detection. The problems are closely linked to urgent global challenges.<\/p>\n
Professor Massimiliano Vasile, Director of the Aerospace Centre of Excellence in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and coordinator of Stardust-R, had a prominent role in conceiving the challenge. He said: This challenge was conceived to stimulate research on space environment management and space sustainability, one of the cornerstones of the Stardust-R project.<\/p>\n
This challenge makes a fascinating preview of what we will see from Earth after DART does its work.<\/p>\n
Professor Christos Efthymiopoulos of Padua University, a member of the team which developed the challenges, said: \" Contestants will have to use their skills in math, physics, engineering and computer science but also to look at the sky\".<\/p>\n
The topics are part of a wider effort by Stardust-R and others which is critical for the long-term safety of Earth from space threats and the long-term sustainability of human presence in space.<\/p>\n
The first competition involves tracing the source of hazardous space debris drifting around Earth, while the second asks teams to decipher the precise circumstances of a distant collision between a spacecraft and an asteroid a scenario which is set to be enacted later this decade by NASAs DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) and ESAs Hera spacecraft.<\/p>\n
The challenge is being held in memory of Professor Andrea Milani, a mathematician and astronomer who was a world authority in asteroid impact and deflection and who died in 2018.<\/p>\n
The first stage of the challenges is open to all. All participating teams will be given a score, updated after each submission of a solution, and the teams with the best score will be invited to participate in Stardust-R's Global Virtual Workshop on Space Traffic Management and Resilient Space Environment in September 2021.<\/p>\n
In the second stage, the top three of the teams involving only students in each competition will be invited to present their approach to a panel of experts at the workshop. One winner for each category will be announced at the workshop closing ceremony, based on their technical approach and innovation in solving the challenge.<\/p>\n
Stardust-R is the only Scottish-led international network on space environment management and asteroid exploration.<\/p>\n
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International competition on asteroid and space debris launched - University of Strathclyde<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An international research network, exploring solutions to asteroids and space debris, has announced a competition for students and researchers around the world. Continue reading