Physio-Chemistry of Ices in Space

Ices are observed in a variety of space environments, including the interstellar medium, protoplanetary disks, planetary surfaces, and comets. In general, ices in space are seldom pure, but are intimately intermixed with minerals, metals, and organic compunds. This ice structure determines the pathway for surface reactions and how the ice evolves in response to thermal and radiation processes. During the birth of the solar system, molecular ices accreted in interstellar space and incorporated into planetsimals, such as comets and meteorites, which delivered large amounts of material to the early planets. The team considers of high scientific interest the investigation of the density, porosity, sublimation rate, morphological stability, and surface reactivity of ices formed in the space environment. The researchers will also analyse the existing and planned micorgravity laboratories on board the ISS to determine whether any improvements are necessary to perform this kind of work.

U.K Based researchers involved in this project

S. Price

D.Williams

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