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Discovery Advisory Committee for Science (DACS) terms of reference

Updated 11 February 2025

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Discovery Advisory Committee for Science (DACS) terms of reference

(formerly Science Programme Advisory Committee (SPAC))

The Committee will meet at least three times a year usually before each ESA Science Programme Committee meeting and will:

  • provide advice on the UK lines to take at upcoming science committee meetings and workshops, taking due regard of the policies set by DSIT, the UK Space Agency and the STFC science strategy;

  • provide advice on the overall UK strategy for involvement in space science projects, taking account of issues relating to:

  1. Space science
  2. Technology
  3. Industry
  4. Potential spin-off applications
  5. Science and society opportunities
  6. Education and skills

  • provide advice on the ranking and relative priority of current and potential future space science projects as an input to both funding and review decisions conducted by or for the UK Space Agency, taking account of the factors listed above;

  • provide advice on how to optimise the opportunities and benefits arising from Agency investments in Space Science missions and deal with emerging challenges arising from Space Science missions.

  • report through the Chair to the Director of Discovery and Sustainability and the relevant Programme Board.

Membership

The membership should include; representatives of the UK space industry (e.g. through UKSpace and its subsidiary body UK SME forum); representatives from other relevant UK Space Agency committees; and representatives of the appropriate UK Space Agency stakeholders. In particular, there shall be a representative nominated by STFC, normally a member of Science Board, and EPSRC. Membership should be supplemented by experts on specific missions or fields as necessary for a particular meeting. Representatives of the UK Space Agency Executive shall be ex officio members; and officials from STFC and EPSRC shall be in attendance.

Discovery Advisory Committee for Science (DACS) Membership

Name Affiliation Representation/Role
Prof. Adam Amara University of Surrey DACS Chair, ESA SPC advisor
Dr. Rebecca Canning University of Portsmouth Expert Advisor
Dr. Chris Chaloner Trym Systems UKSpace SME Chair
Dr. Judith Croston UCL-MSSL STFC Science Board
Dr. Paolo D’Arrigo Airbus Expert Advisor
Prof. Christine Done University of Durham Expert Advisor
Mr Paul Eccleston RAL Space, STFC Expert Advisor
Prof. Matt Griffin Cardiff University Expert Advisor
Dr. David Hall The Open University Expert Advisor
Dr. Carly Howlett University of Oxford Expert Advisor
Mr Steve Kay GMV SSEC Vice-Chair
Dr. Robert Massey Royal Astronomical Society Royal Astronomical Society
Dr. Matt Middleton University of Southampton SPAN SSEWG Chair
Ms. Marie-Claire Perkinson Airbus SSEC Chair
Prof. Mark Sims University of Leicester SPAN Chair
Prof. Caroline Smith Natural History Museum UK Space Agency SEAC Chair
Prof. Robert Walsh University of Central Lancashire Expert Advisor
Dr. Nic Walton IoA, University of Cambridge SPAN SDAWG Chair
Dr. Clare Watt Northumbria University Expert Advisor
Dr. Chris Woolford STFC STFC Head of Astronomy

Observers

Name Affiliation Representation/Role
Dr. Caroline Harper UK Space Agency Head of Space Science
Miss Stephanie Gooby UK Space Agency DACS Secretary & Space Science Project Manager
Mr Ryan King UK Space Agency Lead Science Programme Manager
Mr William Trafford UK Space Agency Bilaterals Science Programme

For more information, please contact SpaceScience@ukspaceagency.gov.uk

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