Vulcan holds a unique place in the European planetary science and exploration landscape.
It exists and acts to: support, improve, inspire.
Support
The Vulcan Facility’s multidisciplinary team of geoscientists support the validation and de-risking of low TRL technologies and key operational concepts where analogue samples are used. The same geoscience expertise is applied to other analogue concepts and scenarios i.e. sites and small-scale test beds.
ESA-linked activities are prioritised; however, support is available for any planetary science and exploration activity in Europe on a “reasonable efforts” basis.
Support is available in the following 4 domains:
- Analogue requirements definition, and identification and recommendation of analogue options
- Access to analogues from associated providers
- Characterisation of analogue properties and comparison with extra-terrestrial examples
- Development of curation and characterisation procedures
For all enquiries, please visit our contact page.
Improve
A great deal of knowledge and know-how exists in Europe on all aspects of simulant use and development. Vulcan is harnessing this to improve user confidence in simulant products and, in turn, the quality of research and technology development outputs.
The Vulcan Facility is working on new opportunities and initiatives to foster collaboration and innovation on simulant topics. This requires a medium- to long-term, strategic approach that involves:
- identifying simulant product and supply chain gaps, and enhancing accessibility and availability for users
- standardising techniques and processes (e.g. sample preparation, curation, and characterisation) and demonstrating proof-of-concept (verification) at the Vulcan Facility
- coordinating and enabling activities through data/information sharing (e.g. CuraSys) and defining terminologies
- building a robust and agile network of laboratories, facilities, and providers
- validating the representativity of new and existing simulant products
- working across ESA to identify and formally establish synergies on planetary geoscience and analogues topics (e.g. with the Spaceships at ECSAT and EAC, and the AML on the Harwell Campus)
- expanding the expertise and capabilities of the Vulcan Facility to remain relevant and up to date
Inspire
Through various types of outreach and career opportunities, the Vulcan Facility is determined to inspire the next generation of analogue and extraterrestrial sample scientists and technicians!
Those with a background in planetary science and geoscience are invited to stay up to date via the News page and ESA’s career webpages.