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OCELL – Smart Analytics on Aerial Imagery

INNOspace_label_results_202032

OCELL – Smart Analytics on Aerial Imagery

PowerPoint-Präsentation

Heavy storms are increasingly causing millions of euros of damage to tracks and systems as well as train failures and delays. OCELL GmbH specialises in AI-driven analysis of aerial photography and geodata in order to collect vegetation data with an accuracy of individual trees and categorise the data according to risk classes. Data collection is carried out by the company’s own decentralised partner network of professional ultralight aircraft pilots. In order to ensure a constant ground resolution, the flight altitude relative to the ground must remain constant. This is achieved with the help of high-quality radar satellite data and navigation satellites. OCELL GmbH offers data collection and high-precision data interpretation as a comprehensive service for forestry and infrastructure managers (train lines, power lines, oil and gas pipelines).
On the basis of the resulting findings, e.g. trees that pose a risk can be cut in a targeted manner as a preventative measure.

Benefits:

  • Prevention of delays, image damage and property damage amounting to millions of euros
  • Large-scale, high-resolution data collection with ultralight aircraft and the company’s own pilot network
  • Precise data on individual tree information (tree species, condition, height, drop distance)
  • Automated AI-driven data analysis

OCELL GmbH
Gilching, Deutschland
David Dohmen
david.dohmen@ocell.io
ocell.io

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Free-form metal optics for new space applications

INNOspace_label_results_202029

Free-form metal optics for new space applications

Spaceoptix

The rapidly increasing number of commercial satellites, with some 25,000 small satellites* for Earth observation and communication services alone in the next few years, poses a completely new scaling problem for component and subsystem suppliers. In addition, Earth observation as well as laser and quantum communication increasingly require high-quality optical subsystems with nanometre precision, such as telescopes, spectrometers or pointing mirrors, to enable high-resolution observation data or increased transmission speeds. SPACEOPTIX GmbH develops and manufactures high-quality opto-mechanical components and systems made of metallic substrates. Compared to alternative materials such as glass or ceramics, the metal optical mirrors and mirror systems offer significantly reduced manufacturing and assembly costs and, by using free-form optical system designs, an excellent ratio between optical imaging quality, mass and volume. As a Fraunhofer IOF spin-off, the aim of SPACEOPTIX GmbH is the technology transfer of 20 years of applied research in the field of metal optics to industrial standards.

* www.researchandmarkets.com, 2019, Small Satellite Market Size, Growth and Industry Forecast, 2026

Benefits:

  • Reduced manufacturing costs compared to optics made of alternative materials
  • Efficient realisation of compact freeform optical system designs (miniaturisation, increase of image quality)
  • Integration of mechanical functions into the optical mirror component and thus application of simplified mounting principles (“snap-in” assembly)

SPACEOPTIX GmbH
Jena, Germany
Dr-Ing. Matthias Beier
matthias.beier@spaceoptix.de
spaceoptix.de

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Tikal – Remote assessment of remote traffic routes

INNOspace_label_results_202026

Tikal – Remote assessment of remote traffic routes

Tikal

Only 20% of the world’s road network is paved, making it particularly vulnerable to environmental, weather and vehicle-related damage. The monitoring of unpaved roads is of high relevance as they are also used to transport people and goods. There are currently no IT-based methods that can be used to continuously record and analyse the condition of the road over a wide area.
Within the framework of the Tikal project, BAREWAYS GmbH is developing a software system that can determine the current and future road condition by means of pattern recognition, even from inhomogeneous and incomplete data sets. For this purpose, a wide variety of data sources such as weather forecasts, maps, satellite images, and vehicle sensors are aggregated, calibrated and analysed with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This current road condition information is made available to the vehicle navigation system together with other criteria for route planning and optimisation such as vehicle type, fragility of the load or safety needs of the driver.

Benefits:

  • Prediction of road conditions in rural areas that are not covered today
  • The fusion of vehicle sensors, satellite imagery, and weather forecasts
  • Flexible routing to account for individual vehicle capabilities
  • Applicable to other transport lines such as railways and power lines

BAREWAYS GmbH
Moritz v. Grotthuss
Lübeck, Germany
moritz.vongrotthuss@bareways.com
bareways.com

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Additive manufacturing method for metallic coatings of CFRP propellant tanks

INNOspace_label_results_202020

Additive manufacturing method for metallic coatings of CFRP propellant tanks

Additive manufacturing method for metallic coatings of CFRP

Propellant tanks for rocket stages made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) need to be lined with a metallic coating (called a liner) on the inside to protect the material from aggressive propellant components and to ensure tightness. Until now, these protective layers have been produced in an expensive manufacturing process by forming and welding thin-walled metal sheets.
Additive Space GmbH is developing a thermal spraying process by which metallic coatings can be applied to the inside of the CFRP structure quickly and cost-effectively. The method enables several layers of metals with different material properties to be applied one after the other with the minimum required layer thickness. Apart from the spraying device, which is mounted on an industrial robot, for example, no further devices adapted to the geometry of the respective fuel tank are required.

Benefits:

  • Thermal spray process for very thin coating thicknesses (≤ 100μ) with low mass increase
  • Cost / effort reduction, since a metal liner does not have to be produced separately
  • No geometric specific devices necessary – universal system use
  • Moderate development risk through adaptation of an established procedure
  • High scalability
  • Wide range of applications

Additive Space GmbH
Neusäß, Germany
Sascha Larch
sascha.larch@additive-space.com
www.additive-space.com

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QuMSeC – Quantum Memories for Secure Communication

INNOspace_label_results_202023
INNOspace_label_results_202019

QuMSeC – Quantum Memories for Secure Communication

QuMSeC – Quantum Memories for Secure Communication

With a turnover of USD 156.3 billion1, satellite communication is a key component of the global digital economy and is of strategic importance to government and society. The Internet, television, telephony or communication in aviation and shipping rely on highly secure satellite communication networks.
However, the encryption methods used in data transmission today are vulnerable, which poses considerable security risks for critical infrastructures in the energy, telecommunications and transport sectors, for example. Quantum communication generally provides the necessary cyber security for current and future satellite communication systems. However, this has so far been based on the assumption of complete control over the development, manufacture, launch and operation of satellites. The „QuMSeC“ project, carried out by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin, is intended to set new standards for secure quantum key exchange with the help of quantum storage devices, even for untrustworthy satellites. In the future, customers and users without their own satellite infrastructure should benefit from secure data communication via satellites.

1 Global Space Economy 2018 (Source: Bryce Space and Technology, 2020)

Benefits:

  • Verifiable communication security
  • Market basis for quantum communication providers
  • Enables economic exploitation of quantum communication
  • Strengthening of the German leadership role in quantum technology

Technische Universität Berlin, Einstein Center Digital Future, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik
Germany
Prof Janik Wolters, Dr Markus Krutzik
j.wolters@tu-berlin.de
m.krutzik@physik.hu-berlin.de
berlinquantum.net, physik.hu-berlin.de, qt-berlin.de

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PCM-Polymer Compound – Novel Material for Thermal Stabilisation of Component Systems

Winner 2019 OHB Challenge Label
Overall Winner 2019 Label

PCM-Polymer Compound – Novel Material for Thermal Stabilisation of Component Systems

Spacecraft components are constantly subjected to thermal variations. To avoid overheating or undercooling of these components, ESDA-Axiotherm GmbH is developing a phase-change material (PCM) polymer compound for the thermal stabilisation of space components and systems. The PCM polymer compound features a high capacity for absorbing accumulating amounts of heat and releases the heat energy into the system during an undercooling period in order to stabilise the temperature. This material will prevent temperature peaks and produce a smoothed temperature curve. Its unique feature is a mix of materials that remains gelatinous when melted. The compound is leak-proof and well-suited to processing. Furthermore, it is possible to use additives to make permanent, stable modifications to properties such as thermal conductivity, fire protection, and radiation resistance. In particular, batteries (and by extension, the field of e-mobility) should benefit from this life-prolonging technology.

Benefits:

  • Effective smoothing of temperature peaks and reduced thermo-mechanical stress
  • Increased useful life of batteries and electronic components, plus increased operational safety
  • Low mass, high capacity & directly applicable to all battery sectors (automotive/maritime/aviation)
Overall Gewinner des Innospace Masters 2018/19 (mit Dr. Lutz Bertling, Dr. Franziska Zeitler, Dr. Walther Pelzer und Frank Meures). Aufgenommen am 03.07.2019 im Humboldt Carré in Berlin.

ESDA/Axiotherm GmbH
Eisenberg, Germany
Dirk Büttner
www.axiotherm.de
dirk.buettner@axiotherm.de

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Real-Time Container Tracking and Monitoring

Winner 2019 Airbus Challenge Label

Real-Time Container Tracking and Monitoring

Modern transport and logistics require real-time tracking and monitoring of shipping containers worldwide. Many applications on the market track only the location of the vessel on which a container is transported – not the container itself. Therefore, the tracking signal is lost when the container is transferred between ships, trains, trucks and aircraft, or if it happens to be lost at sea. Callwise Ltd. addresses these issues using an innovative combination of satellite communication and a 5G LoRaWAN (Low Range Wide Area Network) IoT solution. This solution enables real-time tracking and monitoring of individual shipping containers from start to finish during multimodal transport. The concept is based on a novel architecture in which satellite and cellular tracking is combined with LoRaWAN tracking and monitoring of individual shipping containers. Callwise Ltd. is targeting logistics and shipping companies that can offer this end-to-end solution to customers as a value-added service in their product portfolios. Furthermore, the system is able to generate alerts for a wide range of events (unauthorised door opening, deviation from a predefined route, changes in container temperature, etc.) and also track down containers lost at sea.

Benefits:

  • Real-time location information on shipping containers from start to finish
  • Ability to monitor several parameters inside containers (e.g. temperature, air pressure, air moisture)
  • Ability to trace containers that are lost at sea
INNOspace Masters conference 2019 Airbus Winner

Callwise Ltd.
High Wycombe, United Kingdom
Dr Roland Weesie
www.callwise.eu
roland.weesie@gmail.com

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Deployables Cubed – Actuator for Nanosatellite Applications

Winner 2019 ESA BIC Challenge Label

Deployables Cubed – Actuator for Nanosatellite Applications

The aerospace sector is trending towards small, standardised satellites (CubeSats) that offer affordable access to space. Their standard edge length of 10 cm does present a disadvantage, however, as it significantly limits the missions these satellites can support. To get around these limitations, deployable structures like antennas or sails are being used, that are deployed once a satellite is in orbit. This opens the door to high-performance applications that are typically only possible with large satellites. Initiating this deployment requires special actuators such as hold-down and release mechanisms. Unfortunately, European actuators are too large for this purpose, and American products are subject to export restrictions. To solve this problem Deployables Cubed – a new space company at ESA BIC Bavaria – is developing pin-puller and release nut actuators to ensure Europe’s independence with regard to these small actuators and the deployable structures that they make possible. The company plans to establish for simple, light, and reliable aerospace actuators on the market and offer them to a broad range of customers.

Benefits:

  • Nanosize actuator (optimised for cubesat applications)
  • Fraction of the cost of existing actuators
  • Not subject to export regulations
INNOspace Masters conference 2019 ESA BIC Winner

Deployables Cubed
Gilching, Germany
Dr Thomas Sinn
www.deployables-cubed.com
sinn@deployables-cubed.com

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SmartSpace – A Module for Global IoT Cloud Service Operations

Winner 2019 ESA BIC Challenge Label

SmartSpace – A Module for Global IoT Cloud Service Operations

Existing cellular network infrastructure is not sufficient for the widespread use of Internet of Things (IoT) applications outside metropolitan areas. A functional data connection forms part of the core of any IoT application.
Currently, transmitting data to IoT devices via satellites is uneconomical and complex because the devices are designed with a small form factor (i.e. small antennas), which facilitates low-power consumption and minimal data throughput. The SmartSpace concept provides for dedicated communication modules on the ground and in the space segment to enable data collection and transmission. Within this concept, SmartSpace modules serve as a data collector for multiple IoT devices and their applications and relay the collected data via a superior satellite backbone network. It is no longer necessary to operate a dedicated ground station, the intermediate SmartSpace network acts as a connecting link. This will facilitate the use of SmartSpace in remote areas and large infrastructures.

Benefits:

  • Enable terrestrial and space-borne IoT applications
  • Cloud-based monitoring and control for satellites
  • Big data analytics for small satellite missions and turnkey CubeSat operations
  • Terrestrial SmartSpace network to grow incrementally via new module launches
INNOspace Masters conference 2019 DLR Winner

TU Braunschweig – Institute of Space Systems
Braunschweig, Germany
Prof Dr Enrico Stoll
www.space-systems.eu
e.stoll@tu-braunschweig.de

IRON Software
Munich, Germany
Christian Kendi
ksh@ironsoftware.de

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MSP

MSP
Winner 2017 Airbus Defence and Space Challenge Label

MSP: Advanced Modular Production of Microsatellites

MSP

To keep up with the emerging requirements of mass production, mega-constellations and formations of micro­satellites one needs innovative lest concepts and production processes. Modern manufacturing techniques from the realm of lndustry 4.0 can open the door to significant productivity gains in high-volume satellite production. The Zentrum für Telematik e.V. (Würzburg) is working on transferring new methods and tools for satellite production into the space sector. The submitted idea is specifically geared towards human­robot collaboration based on the use of a lightweight robot.

Benefits:

  •  Integrated testing and production systems increase lot sizes and quality
  • Modularisation and standardisation in electronic production reduces overall system complexity, which also simplifies the production process
  • Testing based on smart components reduces production costs
Klaus Schilling

Zentrum für Telematik (ZfT)
Würzburg, Germany
Prof Dr Klaus Schilling
www.telematik-zentrum.de
info@telemotik-zentrum.de

ZFT
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