Case Studies

Welcome to the case study section of the SPAN website. Our members have written case studies highlighting the successes and challenges of Space missions. The aim is to inspire, inform, or explain why Space missions are so valuable to our society.

Philae_on_the_comet_Front_view_large

Innovation in Ptolemy

PTOLEMY is an evolved gas analyser, which obtains accurate measurements of isotopic ratios of light elements. It was one of ten instruments on the Philea lander of the Rosetta Mission to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Authors: Piece adapted from STFC Food network post with review by Dr Geraint Morgan

Read Publication
Separation_of_Huygens_from_Cassini_medium

The Cassini-Huygens Mission

A description of UK involvement in the ESA, NASA, and Italian Space Agency mission, highlighting some of the challenges, discoveries and successes. Author: Professor David Southwood CBE

Read Publication
1567216087155-SolarOrbiter_spacecraft_illustration_625

Solar Orbiter

This case study outlines the benefits of UK involvement in the Solar Orbiter mission prior to launch. Author: Paul Eccleston

Read Publication
SpooQy-1_400x400_acf_cropped

SmallSats as an Enabler of Innovation

A Case Study of Satellite Quantum Key Distribution and Space Quantum Technologies

Read Publication
span-hero-bg-inc-logo_400x400_acf_cropped

Highlights of Five Case Studies by SPAN Fellows

The case studies were prepared for the UK Space Agency to support the business case for future investments in the European Space Agency. The funding for the case studies was awarded under the direction of the National Space Partnership whilst operating a pilot programme from January 2022 to March 2022.

Read Publication

07 October 2024

SPAN Whitepaper: Academic View on the Future of Space Policy and Funding

The Whitepaper, now available from SPAN, covers and I hope reflects academic views on funding gap implications, membership of ESA, need for a strong national and bilateral programmes along with comments on links to industry and some general points.

01 October 2024

Space Science in Context Conference

Space Science in Context (17–18 October, 2024) is returning for its third year! SSiC is a FREE, cross-disciplinary conference on outer space and society...

12 September 2024

SPAN joins Australia House for Roundtable

SPAN were invited to a roundtable discussion hosted by Deputy High Commissioner Elizabeth Bowes PSM at Australia House. The event welcomed Professor Christopher Lawrence and Lieutenant General Larry James, from Monash University, as well as representatives from the UK Space Agency and Australia House. The discussion focused on how Australia’s National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) […]