Plastic marine litter is a very complex global environmental issue, with plastic litter at the sea surface representing only a small fraction of plastic entering the sea. In this respect, the BLUE project investigated the potential of diverse LIDAR techniques (backscatter, fluorescence, Raman) to address the detection of plastic litter not only floating on the sea surface, but also suspended in the first few metres under the surface, with also a focus on detecting microplastics and discriminating plastic from other types of litter. The approach adopted was four-fold:

For plastic detection, characterisation and tracking, we need rich spectral information, ideally hyperspectral data. We would like hyperspectral data up to short-wave infrared (2500 nm) and around 0.5 m ground sample distance. Neither of these characteristics are existent in current Earth observation missions, and will still be difficult to find in future Earth observation missions.

The main objective of the study is to investigate the technological feasibility of implementing the GE⊕-LPS concept, and its role as a prototype for proposed cislunar scenarios supplying electric power to Earth. The methodological approach to the study has been to identify and validate the most simple and effective solutions which ould be practically implemented with known and existing technologies and approaches.

The ESA Open Space Innovation Platform Campaign for Cognitive Cloud Computing in Space (3CS) called for project proposals for the use of edge and cloud computing technologies in space. D-Orbit created a consortium including UniBap and Trillium to respond to this opportunity with a proposal to engage the cloud computing community to identify and fly applications on the ION SCV-004 mission.

Mass market receivers are currently basing the provision of position and navigation functionalities by using a number of different signals (GNSS as primary means of navigation, cellular network etc.). The introduction of Galileo and Assisted Galileo services in the mass market applications, will bring significant benefits to the users, especially for applications in harsh conditions and environments, like urban/suburban.

As required for the ATHENA mission, filters with high opacity for IR/Visible/UV light need to be developed to reduce the straylight in these spectra. At the same time, a high transmission in the x-ray band shall be maintained.The experience from recent developments in the semicon industry of producing suitable large size carbon nanotube-based foils, shall be utilized. These foils shall form the support membrane for the required x-ray filters.