Nebula Public Library

Cubesats have the potential to revolutionize Earth Observation by exploring different operating points in terms of spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution. However, physical limitations, mostly in terms of size, prevent them from obtaining high-quality images. OPS-SAT, while characterized by a small form factor, provides an impressive in terms of capabilities and flexibility hardware/software platform for executing demanding machine learning algorithms (inference stage).

The Sun regularly releases considerable amounts of energy resulting in coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and accelerated particles, which can have a variety of adverse space weather (SW) effects at Earth and in the near-Earth environment. A useful means of tracking SW activity is via solar radio bursts (SRBs) associated with CMEs and solar energetic particle events (SEPs); CME-driven shocks can be tracked via Type II SRBs, while energetic electrons escaping into the heliosphere can be tracked via Type III SRBs.

In this project the authors look at event-based sensing and processing for space situational awareness (SSA). Many advantages exist with the new paradigm of neuromorphic engineering, the authors investigate: If event-based optical data is suitable for the task and if processing with Spiking Neural Networks (SNN) provides advantages in terms of efficiency and efficacy. With the implementation of a novel heterogeneous LIF SNN, authors claim to surpass the state of the art in event-based SSA with a 15% increase in accuracy.

With the “democratisation of space”, and the proliferation of large non-geostationary orbit (NGO) constellations, the pace at which human-made objects are being deployed in orbit demands urgent action in defining and supporting a global Space Traffic Management (STM) plan. Promptly identifying, tracking, and cataloguing of resident space objects (RSOs), in particular after orbit insertion or break-up and fragmentation events, as the recent Russian anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) test put in evidence, is of critical importance to enable a safe and sustainable use of space.