COSPAR Scientific Assembly 2016

Hello!
I’m Dr. Lokman Kuzu, Director of TUBITAK UZAY, the Aeronautics and Space Institute of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). TUBITAK UZAY is the host organization of COSPAR 2016. I’d like to warmly invite the scientific community to visit Istanbul for the 41st COSPAR Scientific Assembly in July 2016!
How fitting that Istanbul, the city that united people of three continents, will host an assembly to discuss the one most unifying aspect of humanity; the notion that we are all passengers upon this vessel traversing the cosmos. For the benefit of all humanity we must better understand our planet and the Universe. I hope this assembly will provide a fertile medium for such collaboration.

Though Turkey is newer to space research and technology than others, we are already famous in other realms. Notably, our hospitality; irrespective of ethnicity or creed, the people of Turkey are known for it. The people of Turkey join me in welcoming the scientists and researchers whose work helps humanity understand our universe and protect our planet.

As no visit to Istanbul would be acceptable without sightseeing, we have organized an interesting social program including tours of the Bosphorus and other sights. For instance, among activities for which participants may opt to register will be a comprehensive tour highlighting the ancient fortifications, palaces, mosques, and churches that line the historic waterway.

Istanbul, at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, founded in the seventh century BC, is now a modern metropolis with a population exceeding 15 million. It has a rich historic and cultural heritage. It also contains some of the most important structures in history such as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, and Topkapı Palace. Istanbul also has the first university of Turkey, Istanbul University, founded in 1453.

However, Istanbul isn’t just about history. There is plenty to do. One can dine on the shores of the Bosphorus or shop in Europe’s largest malls. Within an hour one can also be lounging on the beaches of the Mediterranean or spear fishing the reefs of the Black Sea.

We’re certain that Istanbul will do its reputation justice.

With regards to the host of COSPAR 2016, TUBITAK is a national agency founded to develop the science and technology policies of Turkey. It was established in 1963 with a mission to advance science and technology. The Council is an autonomous institution and is governed by a Scientific Board, whose members are selected from prominent scholars from universities, industry and research institutions.

TUBITAK funds research projects carried out in universities and other public and private organizations, conducts research in strategic fields, develops support programs for the public and private sector, publishes scientific journals, popular science magazines and books, and organizes science and society activities, and supports undergraduate and graduate students through scholarships. More than 2000 researchers work in 15 different research institutes.

TUBITAK has represented Turkey in COSPAR since 1996.

TUBITAK UZAY (SPACE) is one of the R&D institutes of TUBITAK that specializes in space technologies and related fields. The institute leads and takes part in R&D projects, playing a pioneering role in the national research community and assisting industry in solving technical problems. TUBITAK UZAY, involved in satellite production since 2002, has acquired the required capability and developed the facilities to produce satellite systems. Namely, RASAT and GOKTURK-2 are respectively, the first and second indigenous remote sensing satellites of Turkey.

Another TUBITAK institute of note for COSPAR is TUG. TUBITAK TUG is the National Observatory. Located at 2,000 m above sea level, in the Taurus Mountains, its suite of telescopes are proving to be a valuable national asset.

Finally, let me reiterate that I welcome all researchers and specialists in space research and exploration to participate in the 41st COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Turkey’s historical capital!

Looking forward to seeing you in Istanbul.

Assoc. Prof. Lokman Kuzu
Director, TUBITAK Aeronautics and Space Institute
Director, TUBITAK UZAY

IMPORTANT DATES
Abstract Submission Deadline: 12 February 2016
Early Registration Deadline: 31 May 2016
Late Registration Deadline: 20 July 2016
On-Site Registration Deadline: 29 July 2016

SESSIONS OVERVIEW

Scientific Commission A
Observing the Anthropocene from Space
Spacecraft Instruments and their Use
Space-based and Sub-Orbital Observations of Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry
Scientific Exploitation of New Missions and Heritage Data Sets (Essential Climate Variables) in Oceanography and Cryosphere
Ocean Science Impacts of Space Research (Regional Level)
Advances in Space Science and Technology for Land Surfaces
Earth System Dynamics: Deep and Shallow Processes Grasped by Gravity and Magnetic Satellites

Scientific Commission B
Lunar Exploration and Science
Mars Science and Exploration
Outer Solar System
Past, Present and Future of Small Body Science and Exploration
Planetary Formation: From Dust to Giant Exoplanets
Life Signature Detection for Astrobiological Targets and Planetary Protection for Icy Body Sample Returns
Exploration of Venus
Highlights in Planetary Science
Mercury: Current Knowledge and Next Steps for Future Explorations
Planetary Science Enabled by Cube-Sats and Micro-Probes

Scientific Commission C
International Standards for the Space Environment
Advances in Remote Sensing of the Middle and Upper Atmospheres and Ionosphere from the Ground and from Space, including Sounding Rockets, Novel Radar, and Multi-instrument Studies
Ionospheric Disturbances Observed through very Low Frequency Radio Waves
Recent Advances in Equatorial, Low- and Mid-latitude Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Ionosphere Studies
Recent Advances in the Thermospheric-Ionospheric-Geospheric Research (TIGER) program
Space and Ground-based Studies of the Coupled Solar Wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere System
Regions of Enhanced Risk for Ionospheric Weather
Layered Phenomena in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere
Wave Coupling Processes and Consequences in the Whole Atmosphere
Advances in External Forcing Studies for the Middle Atmosphere and Lower Thermosphere
Planetary Atmospheres
Planetary Upper Atmospheres, Ionospheres and Magnetospheres
Modelling of Planetary Atmospheres
Improved Description of the Ionosphere through Data Assimilation
Venus International Reference Atmospheres (VIRAII), Mars International Reference Atmosphere (MIRA) and Ionosphere (MIRI)
Active Space Experiments
Dusty Plasmas and Dust-Plasma Processes in Space

Scientific Commission D
Scientific Commission D Overview Talks
Large Scale Heliospheric Structure: Theory, Modelling and Data
Solar Modulation of Cosmic Rays
Energetic Particles in the Heliosphere and beyond: Pickup Ions and the Galaxy
Anomalous Transport of Energetic Particles in the Heliosphere and the Galaxy
Anisotropy of Energetic Particles from keV to TeV
Solar Transients: from Solar Origin to Earth Impact and the Outer Heliosphere
Solar and Heliospheric Science with Future Space Missions
Coordinated Observations and Modeling of Accelerated Particles at the Sun and in the Inner Heliosphere
Reconnection and Turbulence from the Sun through the Heliosphere to Galaxies
Space Climate
Abundance Variations and Fundamental Questions in Solar and Stellar Physics
Multipoint Observations and Cross-Scale Coupling
Tail Dynamics, Energy Transport and Substorms
Highlights of Magnetospheric Plasma Physics
Particle Acceleration and Loss in the Earth and Planetary Magnetospheres
Plasma Transport across Magnetospheric Boundaries
Role of Non-Thermal Distributions in Wave Generation, Particle Heating Acceleration in Space Plasmas

Scientific Commission E
Accreting Neutron Stars and Stellar-mass Black Holes
Exploring Neutron-star Structure by Timing and Spectroscopy
The Explosive Deaths of Stars: Beacons for Cosmology from the Local Universe to the Highest Redshifts
The Magnetar Link in Neutron Stars, Gamma Ray Bursts and Supernovae
Spectral Meets Timing: a Global Approach to Accretion onto Compact Objects
Black Hole Astrophysics: Observational Evidence of Theoretical Models
Radio Galaxies: Resolving the AGN Phenomenon
Nearby UV Universe
Origin of Cosmic Rays
A Broadband Perspective on Massive X-ray Binaries: towards a Unified Picture
Activity of the Supermassive Black Holes and other Energetic Processes at the Galactic Center
The Hot and Energetic Universe with the Large X-ray Observatory Athena
A New View of the Universe Revealed by ASTRO-H
Novae and Cataclysmic Variables: Multi-wavelenth Observations Meet Theory
X-ray Polarimetry: Experiments and Science Prospects
Evolution of Massive Stellar Binaries: Modeling and Observations
Evolution of Millisecond Pulsars
Gamma-Ray Bursts: Observations and Theory of the Prompt and Afterglow Emission Processes and their Progenitors
Physics of Galaxy Clusters
The Cherenkov Telescope Array: the Ground-based Eyes to Observe the Gamma Ray Universe
Exoplanets
Solar and Stellar Dynamos and Magnetic Flux Emergence
Formation, Destabilization, and Ejection of Magnetic Structures in Solar and Stellar Coronae
Solar Magnetism: Data-driven Modeling and Requirements for Future Instrumentation
Multiwavelength Observations and Simulations of Solar and Stellar Flares

Scientific Commission F
The ISS as a Platform for a Fully Simulated Mars Voyage
Gravitational and Space Biology of Plants, Microbes and Fungi
Towards Space Exploration: Radiation Biological Basis
Space Radiation Risk and Counter-measures: Physical and Biophysical Mechanisms, Modelling and Simulations
Space Radiation – Dosimetric Measurements and Related Models, Radiation Detector Developments and Ground-based Characterisation
Astrochemistry, Astrobiology, and the Formation of Life in the Universe
Astrobiology: Mars Analogue Sites on Earth and Experiments in Earth Orbit and Beyond
Habitability in the Solar System and Beyond
Innovative Approaches to Space Habitation
Advanced Life Support Testbeds and Facilities
Mathematical and Computer Modelling as a Tool for Constructing Reliable CBLSS
Influence of Spaceflight Environments on Biological Systems
Closure as a Specific Property of Manmade Ecosystems and Biospheres
Genetic Epigenetic and Metabolic Changes in Spaceflight and Simulated Spaceflight Environment
Ecological Life Support and Sustainability, Adaptation to Extreme Environments
Space Nutrition and Space Agriculture
Roundtable: International Collaboration for Regenerative Life Support Systems and Space Flight Testing
Animal Models in Space-based Research
Molecular, Cellular and Synthetic Biology in Space and Ground Research
BION M1 Mission Update and Microgravity-induced Neuromuscular and Sensory-motor Plasticity

Scientific Commission G
Gravitational Effects on Physico-Chemical Processes
Drop Tower Days
Influence of Free Space Environment on the Behaviour of Materials

Scientific Commission H
Commission H Highlight Talks
Gravitation, Dark Energy and Dark Matter
Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics and Condensed Matter in Space
Space Missions for Fundamental Physics
Gravitational Wave Astrophysics
Applications (Geodesy, Metrology, GNSS-Satellites)
Enabling Technologies for Fundamental Physics Experiments and Missions

Panels and Special Events
Latest Results
Young Scientists in the Classroom
Issues in Capacity Building and Education for Space Sciences
Space Debris – Providing the Scientific Foundation for Action
Science Drivers and Opportunities for Global Space Exploration
Human Exploration on the Moon, Mars and NEOs
Planetary Protection Policy
Planetary Protection Mission Implementation and Status
Planetary Protection Research and Development
Development of Physics-based, Empirical, and Data Assimilative Models of the Radiation Environment
Recent and Upcoming Observations of the Radiation Belts
Scientific Ballooning: Recent Development in Technology and Instrumentation
Satellite Dynamics for Earth and Solar System Sciences and Applications
Space Geodesy and Remote Sensing: New Observations and Applications
Metrics and Validation Needs for Space Weather Models and Services
Solar System Space Weather
From Ionospheric Indices towards Standardised Activity Scales for Space Weather Services
Interoperability of Space Weather Data Models, Data Holdings, and Data Access Tools
Understanding Space Weather to Shield Society: A Global Roadmap for 2015 – 2025 Commissioned by COSPAR and ILWS
Advanced Data Analysis in Space Sciences
Planetary Data Management and Exploitation
Novel Techniques for Measurement and Processing of Solar and Space Data