ACT

The Advanced Concepts Team (ACT) is a research group of the European Space Agency, it explores technologies for applications to future space missions by fostering interaction between European research groups and organizations and by providing specific solutions to cutting edge research problems. Essentially, the ACT is a channel for the study of future technologies and ideas that are of strategical importance in the long term planning of ESA. Placed at corporate level, it serves the function of a think tank providing decision makers the support of a highly multidisciplinary research group. Science and engineering Research Fellows and Young Graduate Trainee form the bulk of this Team. They carry out research work on advanced topics and emerging technologies.

Subjects include (as of Jan, 2007):

• Energy Systems
• Artificial Intelligence
• Nanotechnologies
• Trajectory and system design
• Advanced propulsion
• Theoretical physics
• Biomimetics
• Mathematics and informatics and other topics in which both space systems engineering competence and specific theoretical knowledge is required. For more information just visit the ACT's web page.