1. Astro-G/VSOP-2 in Europe JIVE, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands
status report
L.I. Gurvits
JIVE, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands
VSOP-2 Meeting
Madrid,

2. LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid
Space VLBI in Europe
Two Europe-wide bodies, EVN and RadioNet, keep Astro-G/VSOP-2 on their agenda
EVN CBD endorsed preparatory activities for a European segment of Astro-G (mtg in Dwingeloo, 29 Nov 2006)
RadioNet has facilitated mechanism for continuation of its activities under the EC FP7 programme, ; VSOP-2 is one of JRA projects under consideration
ESA funding options pursued; the main route – via national-led (unsolicited) proposal
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid

3. LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid
ESA Flexi proposal, 2000
ESA “Enhanced Next Generation Radio Observatory in Space” (EVN F2/F3 proposal, 2000)
ESA Space Science Advisory Committee (SSAC) citatation:
The SSAC recognises the high level of European interest in Space VLBI, which provides uniquely high spatial resolution. There is currently no approved international space VLBI mission to follow on from the Japanese VSOP (HALCA) mission. If one should be identified in the future, the SSAC recommends that an ESA involvement be considered.
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid

4. LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid
ESA Cosmic Vision
Cosmic Vision adopted by ESA as a roadmap for ;
Specifies themes, not missions;
First call for Cosmic Vision mission expected to be released this week;
Two types of missions: Medium (€ 350M) and Large (€ 700M)
Strong planetary science proposals anticipated;
Sounds irrelevant for Astro-G, but: several (planetary sci) proposals in preparation call for close cooperation with JAXA
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid

5. Space VLBI and ESA (personal view)
Cosmic Vision programme will be oversubscribed by a factor of …>3
National-led (unsolicited) proposal at the scale of ~€20-30M is encouraged
Existing network of tracking station is growing (New Norcia [W Australia], Cebreros [Spain]); discussions on VLBI equipment at ESA’s 35 m under way
Considerations for a third new ESA station at the American range of longitudes
All new stations to be operational at 32 GHz; 26 and 37 GHz are not “prime missions’
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid

6. VSOP-2 and EC FP7 RadioNet
Relevant call for proposals expected late 2007
Proposal preparation has begun; internal peer-review in mid 2007;
Joint Research Activity on SVLBI is on the list of topics to be pursued (LIG, TK, ER, APL to coordinate);
Networking Activity on SVLBI is in preparation too (LIG to coordinate);
If approved, funding for
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid

7. “ESA via National Agencies” route
Unsolicited proposal(s) – favoured by ESA
Funding at ~ € 20-30M scale
Coherent support by key national delegations is crucial
Contacts underway:
Spain
Germany
Netherlands
Contacts in preparation: Finland, UK
Critical items:
Updated Sci Case + exec summary
JAXA’s “shopping list” – what’s needed?
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid

8. Astro-G over South Africa?
Preliminary expression of interest to investigate VSOP-2 tracking options from SA
Contact: HartRAO (R.Booth)
Cpuld be seen (at least at this point) as a part of the “European package”
Existing 13.2-m antenna, GHz operational range, belongs to CSIR
Further info expected within ~4 weeks
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid

9. SVLBI payload components?
Oscilloquartz crystal oscillator ?
Better than over 30 s,
135 x 83 x 75 mm, 900 g, 3 W,
Space qualification possible.
3D linear accelerometer:
Better than 0.5 nm/s2 (τ ~minutes).
Verified in several planetary missions.
Rx-components (Planck-based)
Galileo Rx?
NO ACTIONS YET
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid

10. Open issues (in place of conclusions)
What (from Europe) is needed to the mission?
EVN co-observing
Tracking
Components of science payload?
Correlation load?
Science operations?
ESA involvement is most likely via nationally-led project(s)
Exploit benefits of VSOP-2 synergy with
EVN-2015 programme (incl Next Generation Correlator);
EXPReS (e-VLBI) developments;
SKADS and SKA in FP7
ESA Cosmic Vision (planetary science) projects
VSOP-2 in EC FP7
National funding sources – to be investigated
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid

11. Open issues (continued)
Science case to be “sharpened”?
Phase-referencing to be emphasized!
Any chance to go for a higher data rate – 2, 4, 16 Gbit/s?
Any implications of a new (more powerful) launcher?
Exploiting synergy with SKA developments
“Resolution-matching” (mm-VLBI) efforts
19–20 February 2007
LIG VSOP-2 Meeting, Madrid