Cleaning up space

"Sustainability is key for the long-term use of space: "space-junk" is an increasingly well-known term, referring to the defunct satellites (and parts thereof) now increasingly littering orbits. Our physicists and astronomers are addressing this problem via the GNOSIS networkopens in a new window, developed to address the problem of space debris.

Earth observation

"Our geoscientists in Edinburgh are looking back down onto Earth, via data-gathering satellites, mapping forests around the world, and even mapping poverty from spaceopens in a new window. But Earth observation satellites are useful for looking at the seaopens in a new window too.

"Why does this matter? Covering around 71% of the Earth’s surface, oceans play a major role in the global climate system. Monitoring sea surface temperature and salinity helps us better understand how oceans communicate with land and atmosphere, as well as marine ecosystems and weather prediction.

Intercepting comets

"And while our geoscientists look down onto Earth, our astronomers are looking out into space. Designing probes with the European Space Agency (ESA), that will land on comets.

"Comet Interceptoropens in a new window is a new mission that has been recently taken forward by the ESA with the aim of visiting an interstellar object, such as a comet, that has recently entered the inner Solar System, to better understand how objects like these form and change in other star systems.

Scotland’s global outlook

"This gives a truly global perspective, with a strong strategic focus on sustainability from the principal down to the practical applications.

Added to that is the major new impetus of Scotland’s Data-Driven Innovation programmeopens in a new window – leveraging our expertise in AI and big data analytics. All of which means that the University is exceptionally well placed to address the data needs for monitoring and delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This provides a major opportunity for Scotland to deliver international impact.

"While academics have historically been stereotyped as living in an ivory tower, Edinburgh has a strongly outward-looking stance, developing partnerships with government and industry to increase efficiency of public services, and provide new products and services in the private sector. Indeed companies such as Ecometrica, GSI and Astrosat already partner on projects such as Forests 2020opens in a new window."