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Keynote Address
KEYNOTE ADDRESS Gerhard Haerendel, COSPAR President
Dear Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I against my original intention I had to cancel my participation in this symposium on short notice, because my presence was urgently required in Germany, in order to be present during a critical phase of operations of our EQUATOR-S satellite, which was launched on December 2. Therefore, this message has to be read to you, I apologize and hope for your understanding. The topic of this Colloquium, Microsatellites as Research Tools, is particularly close to my heart since I started promoting research using small satellites about a decade ago. I am very pleased to see that the concept is becoming accepted in the scientific community, that many meetings now address the topic from one angle to another, and that results are being obtained from research out with such tools. However, let me also express a warning that we not be carried away by the enthusiasm arising from opportunities created by small and mini-satellites. In my mind these tools have a role complementary to that of big observatories and space probes, adding flexibility, short lead-times, and alternate means of procurement and of sharing responsibility. For many tasks in astronomy, solar system research, and Earth observations big missions will be indispensable and, after careful analysis, may prove to be more cost effective than a number of small missions accomplishing the same work. As we approach the end of the year, it seems fitting to take a moment to acknowledge certain recent successes that will certainly have to a greater or lesser degree an impact on our work and in some cases perhaps even on your discussions this week. I cannot but admire the elegance and technical prowess of the Pathfinder mission to Mars, the success of which this past summer so justifiably enthralled tens or perhaps even himdreds the potential of robotic exploration in space, especially encouraging in this era of limited fimds. In the past year we also witnessed successful launches of important space projects like the NASA/ESA Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn and its satellite Titan and the deployment by ISAS of the Haruka space radio-telescope, the space segment of the MLBI Observatory. Let me also mention the spectacular success of the Italian-Dutch Beppo-SAX satellite for X-ray astronomy. Its detection of the X-ray afterglow of gamma-ray bursts, combined with optical and radio data, seems to have positively proved, after three decades of debate, that these enigmatic bursts originate at cosmological distances. I should like also to warmly salute the obvious scientific and technological maturity of our Spanish colleagues who successfully launches their first satellite (Minisat-01) and express my satisfaction with the positive decision by ESA to rebuU the Cluster mission. To return to matters of more immediate concern, I have no doubt that this Colloquium will be very fruitful given the dynamism that currently characterizes the Taiwanese space community. We have all been impressed by the great strides made in recent years by our colleagues here. More generally, COSPAR looks with great expectation and hope to the invigorating drive of many of the scientists whose
countries are represented at this meeting to master the techniques and technologies enabling man to exploit successfully the potential of mini and microsatellites. I would be most happy if your discussions these next few days also resulted in reinforced international cooperative efforts, for I am convinced that it is only through greater cooperation among space researchers on a wide scale that we can overcome limitations imposed by ever tighter budgets. COSPAR shall, of course, continue its efforts to promote international collaboration, and as the President of the premier organization working to this end specifically on behalf of space researchers, I am pleased to inform you that as a participant in this meeting you will be conferred the status of Associate in our committee. As you may know, COSPAR's next big event after this Colloquium will be its 32"** Scientific Assembly which will be held in July 1998 in Nagoya. Those of you who have seen the Call for Papers know that this Assembly will be a memorable event because of the strength of the science that shall be presented. The Nagoya Assembly will also be a special event because it marks the 40*** anniversary of our committee's service to the international space research community. I hope many of you will attend the Assembly next summer in order to help us celebrate this important anniversary and because I am sure that you will all find in the program scientific events that suit your individual interests. I would particularly like to draw your attention to the fact that COSTAR'98 will provide an opportunity to increase interaction between the scientific and engineering communities through a joint event organized with the International Astronautical Federation (lAF) entitled "Science and Engineering Aspects of Solar System Exploration". As mutual understanding and smooth cooperation between the two communities is a springboard for success in all our fields. I that exploration and utilization of space is dependent on collaboration between researchers and engineers and on the close coordination of their efforts. Even the greatest degree of interaction between the research and engineering communities cannot be deemed excessive. Fortunately, this situation is well-understood and appreciated by the majority of those concerned which includes many of us here today. On this note, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to wish you all a most agreeable and worthwhile Colloquium.
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Dear Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I against my original intention I had to cancel my participation in this symposium on short notice, because my presence was urgently required in Germany, in order to be present during a critical phase of operations of our EQUATOR-S satellite, which was launched on December 2. Therefore, this message has to be read to you, I apologize and hope for your understanding. The topic of this Colloquium, Microsatellites as Research Tools, is particularly close to my heart since I started promoting research using small satellites about a decade ago. I am very pleased to see that the concept is becoming accepted in the scientific community, that many meetings now address the topic from one angle to another, and that results are being obtained from research out with such tools. However, let me also express a warning that we not be carried away by the enthusiasm arising from opportunities created by small and mini-satellites. In my mind these tools have a role complementary to that of big observatories and space probes, adding flexibility, short lead-times, and alternate means of procurement and of sharing responsibility. For many tasks in astronomy, solar system research, and Earth observations big missions will be indispensable and, after careful analysis, may prove to be more cost effective than a number of small missions accomplishing the same work. As we approach the end of the year, it seems fitting to take a moment to acknowledge certain recent successes that will certainly have to a greater or lesser degree an impact on our work and in some cases perhaps even on your discussions this week. I cannot but admire the elegance and technical prowess of the Pathfinder mission to Mars, the success of which this past summer so justifiably enthralled tens or perhaps even himdreds the potential of robotic exploration in space, especially encouraging in this era of limited fimds. In the past year we also witnessed successful launches of important space projects like the NASA/ESA Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn and its satellite Titan and the deployment by ISAS of the Haruka space radio-telescope, the space segment of the MLBI Observatory. Let me also mention the spectacular success of the Italian-Dutch Beppo-SAX satellite for X-ray astronomy. Its detection of the X-ray afterglow of gamma-ray bursts, combined with optical and radio data, seems to have positively proved, after three decades of debate, that these enigmatic bursts originate at cosmological distances. I should like also to warmly salute the obvious scientific and technological maturity of our Spanish colleagues who successfully launches their first satellite (Minisat-01) and express my satisfaction with the positive decision by ESA to rebuU the Cluster mission. To return to matters of more immediate concern, I have no doubt that this Colloquium will be very fruitful given the dynamism that currently characterizes the Taiwanese space community. We have all been impressed by the great strides made in recent years by our colleagues here. More generally, COSPAR looks with great expectation and hope to the invigorating drive of many of the scientists whose
countries are represented at this meeting to master the techniques and technologies enabling man to exploit successfully the potential of mini and microsatellites. I would be most happy if your discussions these next few days also resulted in reinforced international cooperative efforts, for I am convinced that it is only through greater cooperation among space researchers on a wide scale that we can overcome limitations imposed by ever tighter budgets. COSPAR shall, of course, continue its efforts to promote international collaboration, and as the President of the premier organization working to this end specifically on behalf of space researchers, I am pleased to inform you that as a participant in this meeting you will be conferred the status of Associate in our committee. As you may know, COSPAR's next big event after this Colloquium will be its 32"** Scientific Assembly which will be held in July 1998 in Nagoya. Those of you who have seen the Call for Papers know that this Assembly will be a memorable event because of the strength of the science that shall be presented. The Nagoya Assembly will also be a special event because it marks the 40*** anniversary of our committee's service to the international space research community. I hope many of you will attend the Assembly next summer in order to help us celebrate this important anniversary and because I am sure that you will all find in the program scientific events that suit your individual interests. I would particularly like to draw your attention to the fact that COSTAR'98 will provide an opportunity to increase interaction between the scientific and engineering communities through a joint event organized with the International Astronautical Federation (lAF) entitled "Science and Engineering Aspects of Solar System Exploration". As mutual understanding and smooth cooperation between the two communities is a springboard for success in all our fields. I that exploration and utilization of space is dependent on collaboration between researchers and engineers and on the close coordination of their efforts. Even the greatest degree of interaction between the research and engineering communities cannot be deemed excessive. Fortunately, this situation is well-understood and appreciated by the majority of those concerned which includes many of us here today. On this note, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to wish you all a most agreeable and worthwhile Colloquium.
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