Invited Speakers

Abstract: The Earth Clouds Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) is an European-Japanese multi-instrument Earth Observation (EO) satellite mission launched in 2024.  A primary focus of EarthCARE is providing observations well-suited for investigating the links between Clouds and precipitation, atmospheric aerosols, and atmospheric solar and thermal radiation. The necessary observations can not be provided by one single observational technique.   A much more detailed and complete picture can, however, be realized by combining different observations in a complementary (i.e, synergistic) fashion. EarthCARE has been designed with sensor-synergy playing a key role. The mission consists of a cloud-profiling Doppler radar (for thick clouds and precipitation), an advanced atmospheric lidar (thin clouds and aerosol property profiles), a cloud/aerosol imager (which provides 2D horizon context to the lidar and radar profile measurements) , and a broadband radiometer (which measures Top-of-Atmosphere reflected and emitted radiation).   In order to exploit the complementary nature of the individual low-level instrument observations , an advanced system of individual instrument retrieval algorithms (L2a) and (L2b) (i.e. multi-instrument algorithms) have been developed. This chain of algorithms transforms the instrument-level data into, ultimately, 3D fields of cloud and aerosol optical and physical properties (e.g. cloud water content, particles size, aerosol amounts and type etc..). In this presentation, a brief overview of EarthCARE mission will be given, describing the scientific motivation of the mission, the mission instruments, and the ways EarthCARE data is being used. The L2 processing chain will be described as well as the process that was used to facilitate the pre-launch algorithm testing and development.

Abstract: Airborne lidar, also known as airborne laser scanning, is the preferred surveying technique to capture detailed terrain elevation data. In the Netherlands, it’s used to capture the Actueel Hoogtemodel Nederland, with over 10 points per square meter over the entire country. The resulting point clouds and digital terrain models are used for water management, 3D landscape visualisation and modelling, and in many other applications.

In this talk, I will address two challenges related to airborne lidar. The first one concerns jamming and spoofing of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals, which currently disable lidar surveys in Eastern Europe. Lidar systems combine measurements of GNSS receivers, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), and scanning laser ranging devices. Without reliable GNSS signals, an alternative method is needed for aircraft positioning. 

The second challenge is caused by the very high pulse repetition rates of laser ranging devices, which are now over 2 MHz. The time it takes for a pulse to travel from the aircraft to the ground and back is significantly longer than the time between successive pulse emissions. Consequently, multiple pulses are travelling in the air simultaneously. In particular, in areas with high objects like skyscrapers or windmills, it is increasingly difficult to determine which of the emitted pulses should be associated with a received pulse echo. Potential solutions and their limitations will be discussed for both challenges.

Abstract: Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks are transforming global connectivity, with constellations like Starlink now serving millions of users across nearly 100 countries. Yet despite their rapid deployment, we know remarkably little about how these networks actually operate and interact with existing Internet infrastructure. This talk presents comprehensive measurement-driven insights from multi-year studies spanning 34 countries, revealing how LEO networks perform for real-time applications like video conferencing and cloud gaming compared to terrestrial alternatives. We uncover fundamental challenges in how traditional Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), which are designed around geographic proximity, struggle to efficiently serve users over dynamic satellite paths. The talk further dissects how infrastructure density creates distinct performance regimes, from near-terrestrial latencies in content-rich regions to cascading penalties exceeding 200ms in underserved areas. These findings illuminate both the transformative opportunities LEO networks offer for bridging the digital divide and the architectural challenges that must be addressed to fully realize their potential.

Abstract: Pulsars are highly magnetised, rotating neutron stars, which emit beams of electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum, from radio waves to optical light and X-rays. Their extraordinary rotational stability and unique timing signatures make them some of the most precise natural clocks in the universe. Each pulsar produces a characteristic, highly stable pulse frequency, effectively functioning as a cosmic beacon that can be used for autonomous navigation. 

This talk highlights how radio pulsar observations can complement and extend existing GNSS infrastructure. Advances in antenna design, calibration and signal processing can enable the reception and timing of faint pulsar signals on small spacecraft, offering a globally available, non-terrestrial reference for Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT). Such integration provides direct relevance for the evolution of GNSS, adding an independent layer of navigation information that enhances accuracy and long-term stability by providing a robust, globally accessible, and tamper-resistant timing and positioning framework in space and on Earth.

Abstract: Gravitational waves span a wide range of frequencies, from the slow, long-lasting signals that the space mission LISA will observe, to the rapid and frequent events expected in the Einstein Telescope (ET). Understanding these signals requires sophisticated data and signal-processing tools. LISA must disentangle many overlapping sources in a slowly changing space environment, while ET must cope with extremely high event rates and complex noise from the Earth’s surface. This talk gives an accessible overview of how we extract information from these very different “signals in space”, and how combining approaches across LISA and ET can help us better reconstruct the gravitational-wave universe.

Abstract: Aetherspace is a student team that brings together young engineers who are passionate about spaceflight and technology. Their goal is to develop a nanosatellite that, thanks to an inflatable heat shield, can carry out scientific experiments and safely return from space. The team is currently working on its first prototype, with a major milestone being a REXUS test flight in 2027. In the long term, Aetherspace aims to participate in ESA’s Fly Your Satellite! programme. The team consists of students and researchers from diverse backgrounds, including aerospace engineering, electromechanics, electronics, physics, and business engineering. In addition to technical research, Aetherspace is also strongly committed to STEM education and outreach.

Abstract: This talk will review the fundamentals of how GNSS signals can be used to navigate spacecrafts all the way to our Moon. Additionally, it will also discuss the feasibility of applying differential GNSS techniques through inter-spacecraft cooperation to estimate their relative baseline, effectively generating additional ranging sources. The presented results are based on numerical simulations and controlled-environment experiments using the Engineering Model of ESA’s NaviMoon receiver and an RF constellation simulator at ESA/ESTEC. Mission parameters from the European Lunar Pathfinder mission that will fly the NaviMoon receiver were used for the presented scenario. Such simulations allow to show that cooperation between lunar orbiters can improve GDOP by up to two orders of magnitude. It also explains why legacy terrestrial differential techniques introduce kilometer-scale biases when applied at lunar distances. The results presented are part of one of the first feasibility assessments of DGNSS cooperation in cislunar space.