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The objective of this study was to use experimental observations of the ionosphere collected in the past years to assess the performance of climatological ionosphere models, with the focus on scintillation models. This analysis has been performed in order to evaluate the ability of these climatological models to properly support ESA's future needs, to identify weak areas, to propose recommendations for improvements and to implement these improvements whenever possible in existing models.

Motivation: This study aimed to develop promising robotic fabrication methodologies for a fibre-based in-situ robotic fabrication process, for application in a lunar habitat as an alternative to existing additive manufacturing methodologies. Previous work has verified that fibre composite fabrication processes are capable of a high degree of automation and structural performance.

Due to the harsh nature of outer space, stringent requirements and performances are required from space systems. Thanks to evolving environmental awareness and the building up of a knowledge base at ESA, we are becoming more wary of the environmental impact of space activities on Earth. Through the GreenSat project, ESA wants to evolve from the assessment to reduction of environmental impact through redesigning an existing satellite mission. The project allows ESA to check the feasibility of implementing ecodesign in the development of space missions.

This study focused on the synergistic retrieval of cloud information from active and passive observations. While this synergistic approach is well established for precipitation, it is used less for clouds.