A previous study (TRP Star sensing based safe mode) confirmed the interest of using star tracker as primary sensor in a generic safe mode: versatility, suitability to complex requirements and constraints (e.g.

Tables and graphs are knowingly used to organise data within a company with different levels of depth and complexity. Knowledge graphs (KGs) are particularly useful because they can cope with data diversity (high-quality complete data and sparse and incomplete data), they have a high degree of scalability and flexibility (the semantic data model can be inter-operational, large, wide and as deep as needed) and, last but not least, they provide reasoning and inference capabilities.

This activity investigates how mega-constellations can be used to provide low-Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft with broadband low-latency services, a novel Concept with potential to disrupt spacecraft design, operation, and performance by allowing spacecraft to access mega-constellations’ enormous resources (Tbit/s throughputs) and global coverage at a lower cost than traditional data relay systems and ground station networks (two to fifty times cheaper, that is, a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month for a daily net capacity from hundredths of Gbit up to almost ten Tbit).

Intentional and unintentional electromagnetic transmission can interfere with various space-borne receiving systems. Generally, such occasions are called Radio Frequency Interferences (RFI). Reports of RFI problems can be found from many space application domains that use radio receiving systems: Satellite navigation services (such as the Galileo service), telecommunications, Earth Observation, or satellite telemetry, tracking and commanding services.

Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen University (ITA) and Institute for Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Design RWTH Aachen University (SLA) have already spun MoonFibres from regolith simulant. Gradel SARL uses the xFKin3D technological process to produces ultra-lightweight structural components made of various types of fibres and resin. This technology requires less material to create parts with equal structural strength as the ones produced in traditional ways. The produced parts can be 2D or 3D parts.

In order for off-Earth top surface structures built from regolith to protect astronauts from radiation, they need to be several metres thick. With support from European Space Agency (ESA) and Vertico, the Technical University Delft (TUD) advanced research into constructing habitats in empty lava tubes on Mars in order to create subsurface habitats. By building below ground level not only natural protection from radiation is achieved but also thermal insulation because the temperature below ground is more stable.

Remote detection and mapping of floating marine plastic litter (FMPL) from space needs to operate in synergy with clean up actions. This implicates that an observation system is needed combining high revisit and high spatial resolution. Currently there is no single remote sensing technology with sufficient revisit capabilities and spatial/spectral resolution relevant to FMPL dynamics. Therefore a combination of small drones, satellites and High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) is anticipated to provide the long term sustainable technical solution.

During this activity, a Regenerative Fuel Cell System (RFCS) was designed and constructed, comprising a high temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cell stack and a High-Pressure PEM (HP-PEM) water electrolyser stack. The RFCS was tested against a three Lunar day-night cycles profile.

For long-term studies, numerical simulations are at the center of predicting the space debris environment of the upcoming decades. In the scope of the study, the authors present the architecture and proof-of-concept results for a numerical simulation capable of modeling the long-term debris evolution over decades with a deterministic conjunction tracking model in contrast to typically employed Monte Carlo methods. For the simulation, an efficient propagator in modern C++ accounting for Earth’s gravitational anomalies, solar radiation pressure, and atmospheric drag was developed.

The project “Novel estimation of shallow water bathymetry using ICESat-2 laser altimetry, signal processing and machine learning and Sentinel-2 optical data in a highly automated approach” was funded under the European Space Agencies’ Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). The overall objective was to build a self-calibrating and efficient bathymetry mapping system by leveraging accurate and consistent ICESat-2 laser altimeter data as a calibration source for high-resolution Copernicus Sentinel-2 based water depth retrievals.