What can surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy tell us about the presence of novichok? How can we improve our understanding of how asteroids respond to the tactics we may need to deploy for planetary defence? And as incidences of wildfires grow, how can Europe’s response be more effective?

Listen on to hear the answers to these and many other key questions. Joining us for this episode are:

Patrick Michel, a director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in the Côte d’Azur Observatory in Nice. He is involved in space missions to asteroids, for both science and planetary defence purposes and is the principal investigator of the European Space Agency’s Hera mission, which contributes to the first asteroid deflection test through NASA’s DART mission.

Emilio Chuvieco, professor of Geography and director of the Environmental Ethics chair at the University of Alcalá, Spain, and his main interest is the use of Earth Observation data to monitor environmental problems, particularly forest fires.

Tomas Rindzevicius, a senior researcher in the Department of Health Technology, Drug Delivery and Sensing, at the Technical University of Denmark, who focuses on the application of nanomaterials for sensing applications to detect trace amounts of explosives, toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents.