ERMES – Extensive road monitoring and early-warning system

Slope stability and ground subsidence along roads and railway tracks are currently monitored using inclinometers and land surveying. These measures lead to substantial logistical challenges and increased costs. THEIA has developed ERMES (Extensive Road Monitoring Early Warning System) to perform large-scale road infrastructure monitoring through satellite data. The system uses multiple advanced remote sensing methodologies to track ground deformation and monitor slope stability and ground subsidence throughout road and railway networks. Using high-frequency remote sensing data, ERMES can determine the speed of deformation and set up an early-warning system for structural health monitoring. This enables efficient, preventive maintenance strategies to be implemented and measures to be optimised to minimise risk.

Benefits:

Enables regular monitoring of large infrastructure using satellite data
Optimisation of maintenance costs and operations for road and rail infrastructure
Reduction of critical outages and increase in security

THEIA
Coimbra, Portugal
Ricardo Cabral
ricardo@theia.pt
theia.pt

7. October 202019. November 2020

Mars Torus

Future robotic and manned Mars missions require high-resolution images of large sections of the planet. The current geographic coverage is achieved either from great height (400 km), or by rovers directly on the surface. Mars Torus is a unique craft, able to produce high-definition images at a height of 2 km while navigating widely over the planet’s surface. Thanks to its structure and a contained vacuum, Torus achieves lift in the thin Martian atmosphere. It thus has a very low energy demand. The energy required for forward momentum and further functions can be generated by solar panels. Mars Torus will have the mobility to relocate in the atmosphere to predefined locations, helping to map locations of interest and search for traces of water and methane.
To allow Mars Torus to navigate precisely and communicate with Earth, it will have its own supporting satellite navigation system via a network of pre-positioned cubesats.

Benefits:

High-definition images of the Mars surface
Autonomous waypoint navigation around Mars
Chemical sampling of the Mars atmosphere
Reduction in the risk to future robotic and human missions

Mars Torus
Letterkenny, Ireland
Matthew Kelly
info@marstorus.com
marstorus.com

7. October 202019. November 2020

AlphaLink – Compound aircraft network

The civil UAV market with a worldwide market volume of USD 6.56 billion in 2018 is expected to grow to USD 43 billion by 2024*. Market growth in the coming years will be driven by the large number of new commercial applications, in particular by the use of unmanned stratospheric flight systems for telecommunications and Earth observation services. For perennial operation at high altitudes, these aircraft require an extremely large wingspan with the lowest possible structural weight. When flying in the troposphere, conventional aircraft configurations face a particular risk that greater turbulences could lead to cracks and fractures in the aircraft structure. The Berlin-based company AlphaLink Engineering GmbH is currently developing a compound aircraft that can solve this structural-mechanical lightweight construction dilemma by connecting multiple aircraft modules at their wingtips through mechanical
joints. After intensive research at Technische Universität Berlin, the patented technology is now being tested by AlphaLink in the form of test vehicles and flight trials. The compound aircraft is the first electrically powered stratospheric aircraft that achieves both long operating times and high payloads.

* SESAR, European ATM Master Plan, Roadmap for the safe integration of drones into all classes of airspace, 2018

Benefits:

Secure, unmanned operation for low-cost Internet access in remote areas
First flying platform with a modular approach
Technology is fully scalable as a complement and alternative to satellite systems
Year-round operation possible just powered by solar energy
Can be used as “flying camera” or “mobile antenna”

AlphaLink Engineering GmbH /
Technische Universität Berlin (TUB)
Alexander Köthe
Berlin, Germany
alexander.koethe@ilr.tu-berlin.de
alphalink.aero

7. October 202019. November 2020

Artificial Intelligence for and from Satellite Internet Constellations

The main stakeholder in the commercial space industry are looking for ways to deploy, operate and maintain large satellite constellations at low cost. Projections indicate that in the next decade, the number of satellites in Earth‘s orbit will increase from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands. Managing such a large number of satellites manually with conventional control centres and workers will be very difficult and expensive, which is why operators and space agencies are looking for ways to automate their constellation management. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms can provide support. Avoiding collisions with space debris, setting up and maintaining communication networks, monitoring the condition of the satellites and their operating routines are just some of the tasks that StellAI Space intends to solve with AI. The company‘s solution will use data from hundreds of satellites forming existing constellations in orbit as input for machine learning algorithms. The resulting model will be used to build a scale-up simulation with hundreds of thousands of satellites and leverage AI to achieve constellation autonomy.

Benefits:

Mega-constellation management
Automation of satellite maintenance
Minimises manpower and ground infrastructure
Long-term sustainability of space activities

StellAI Space
Buchloe, Germany
Vardan Semerjyan
info@stellai.space
www.stellai.space

6. October 202019. November 2020

HOSSA

Fraunhofer IISB is developing a novel technology for ultra-high-temperature resistant protective coatings for space applications. The HOSSA project is based on the institute’s research work to apply ceramic protective coatings to fibre-reinforced composites using powder coating technology.
The aim is to make the advantages of fibre-reinforced composite components, such as high elongation at fracture, high cracking resistance and dynamic load capacity, available for new applications by increasing heat and oxidation resistance as well as increased mechanical abrasion resistance. The patented technology offers a considerable cost advantage over conventional coating processes and is also suitable for component repair.
With HOSSA, the efficiency of propulsion systems and the exposure time for re-entry vehicles can be increased. These protective coatings can also be applied for power units of aircraft and helicopters as well as gas turbines.

Benefits:

Highly tuneable coating technology to achieve different coating properties
Cost-effective and highly flexible in terms of part geometry and size
Enables the application of fibre-reinforced composites in new applications
Higher combustion temperatures and thus increased efficiency of rocket engines and power units

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and
Device Technology IISB
Erlangen, Germany
Dr-Ing. Christian Reimann
christian.reimann@iisb.fraunhofer.de
iisb.fraunhofer.de

26. June 201919. November 2020

Celestial – Products and Services for Deep Space Communication

Moon missions are facing many challenges in new space exploration, and communication is one of them. The fact that not all locations on the moon are accessible to transmissions from Earth creates an obstacle to cislunar communication. Celestial aims to deploy a small satellite relay constellation in lunar polar orbit to overcome this barrier. A total of three satellites (plus one redundant satellite) will be deployed. Working on the S and X bands, this constellation will be able to communicate and relay data from lunar missions to ground stations on Earth. In addition, Celestial aims to provide its satellite communication system to missions seeking to explore high-radiation Earth orbits. This payload will be lightweight and radiation-hardened, ensuring longer life than the similar communication systems currently available. The biggest benefit for lunar missions lies in the reduced costs made possible by a low-weight communication system and the ability to reach lunar locations that are otherwise inaccessible.

Benefits:

Increased data transmission rates and continuous communication coverage of the lunar poles
Low power consumption for low-cost lunar missions
Access to lunar regions beyond the direct line of sight

Celestial
Berlin, Germany
Johannes Schumacher
celestialcomm.wixsite.com/moonshot
johannes.schumacher.mail@gmail.com

26. June 201919. November 2020

AgSat – An Ideal Optical-Thermal Platform for Agricultural and Environmental Remote Sensing

The growing human population, associated challenges related to climate change, and the insufficiency of existing terrestrial sensing systems require new sources of Earth observation (EO) data. Critical parameters like non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV) and evapotranspiration (ET) are not properly estimated by existing operational EO systems. NPV is important for estimating fire risk, tillage intensity, and the risk of soil erosion due to water and wind. ET is important for agricultural production and water usage. AgSat will offer an advanced multispectral satellite concept that will not only measure those parameters, but also include on-board artificial intelligence and data processing to minimise data downloads while using laser-based systems for more efficient data transmission. AgSat will deliver custom, need-driven, cloud-free data products directly to stakeholders within minutes of acquisition. Science data will be available to end users under an open data policy.

Benefits:

Data continuity with Sentinel-2/Landsat missions
Open data for science products
On-board anomalous event detection (fires, floods) and data product creation, including downlinking to end users

EOanalytics Ltd.
Glasnevin, Ireland
Dr Guy Serbin
www.eoanalytics.ie
guyserbin@eoanalytics.ie

26. June 201919. November 2020

AC Biode – The World‘s First Standalone AC Battery

The demand for high-capacity batteries in the space industry has significantly increased and battery capacity is still insufficient in terms of mobility and safety. AC Biode Ltd. is developing the first-ever standalone battery based on alternating current (AC). Biode features the characteristics of both anodes and cathodes. Thanks to a special electric circuit also found in particle accelerators, the system offers more V/Ah flexibility, requires 30% less space, and is safer than every type of regular direct-current (DC) battery. Conventional batteries use DC, which leads to power loss when electricity is converted from AC to DC. AC Biode Ltd. will utilise existing materials and battery production lines to penetrate the market faster than competitors that use new materials or types. Applications are possible in space and in connection with drones, electric vehicles and scooters, and energy storage.

Benefits:

Battery is up to 30% more compact and reduces conversion losses
Uses existing materials/battery production lines
Safer than conventional Li-ion batteries
Lower electrical resistance (safer/longer-lasting)

AC Biode Ltd.
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Tadashi Kubo
www.acbiode.com
tadashi.kubo@acbiode.com

24. June 201919. November 2020

MoonFibre – Spinning Technology Fibres from Lunar Rock for Direct Use on Earth’s Satellite

Private and public institutions all over the world pursue one common mission: a manned station on the moon. The costs of rocket flights alone to transport such a station to the moon would be approximately EUR 1,000,000 per kilogramme. This is why numerous research teams around the world are working on solutions to use moon rock to manufacture 3D-printed structural components on-site. The MoonFibre project at RWTH Aachen University is developing a spinning system that will be able to produce fibres directly from lunar rocks. These fibres could be used not only to stabilise the 3D-printed structure of the lunar station, but also for thermal isolation, filter systems, or the textiles of astronaut suits. RWTH Aachen intends to further develop a spinning process already used in industry for basalt fibres as a compact and easily transportable system for use on the lunar surface. The spinning process is to be tested under zero gravity within an in-orbit demonstration experiment. The proof-of-concept will serve as the basis for the future on-site production of fibres and textiles on the moon.

Benefits:

Permanent settlements on the moon and technology transfer into space
Cost-effective on-site production of fibres and textiles on the lunar surface
Development of a robust, automated, and miniaturised spinning technology

RWTH Aachen University
Aachen, Germany
Alexander Lüking
www.ita.rwth-aachen.de
alexander.lueking@ita.rwth-aachen.de

12. December 20187. March 2023

Golden Fleece – In-Space Nanometal 2D Printing Demonstration

Golden Fleece is an intelligent solar sail concept used for spacecraft propulsion. ABM Space and AMEPOX Microelectronics developed a production process with a 2D-printing technology, allowing the solar sail to be covered with in-situ nanometal ink to place electronic circuits on the sail substrate. Nanometal has outstanding and diversified mechanical, thermal and electrical properties which can be used for various applications in the field of space materials. The development of this 2D-printing method will facilitate in-orbit production and utilisation of metals gained in the future, particularly in-situ from the Moon and asteroids. The technology enables flexible production in space, spare parts production from lightweight material and mass production from future in-situ resources.

Benefits

Flexibility of electronics production in space
Flexibility of production of lightweight structures in space
Nanosilver as a biocide allows sterile structures and reductions in cleanroom costs

ABM Space sp. z o.o. CCO
Torun, Poland
Mateusz Józefowicz
www.abmspace.com
office@abmspace.com

Category: 3rd

ERMES – Extensive road monitoring and early-warning system

ERMES – Extensive road monitoring and early-warning system

Mars Torus

Mars Torus

AlphaLink – Compound aircraft network

AlphaLink – Compound aircraft network

Artificial Intelligence for and from Satellite Internet Constellations

Artificial Intelligence for and from Satellite Internet Constellations

HOSSA

HOSSA

Celestial – Products and Services for Deep Space Communication

Celestial – Products and Services for Deep Space Communication

AgSat – An Ideal Optical-Thermal Platform for Agricultural and Environmental Remote Sensing

AgSat – An Ideal Optical-Thermal Platform for Agricultural and Environmental Remote Sensing

AC Biode – The World‘s First Standalone AC Battery

AC Biode – The World‘s First Standalone AC Battery

MoonFibre – Spinning Technology Fibres from Lunar Rock for Direct Use on Earth’s Satellite

MoonFibre – Spinning Technology Fibres from Lunar Rock for Direct Use on Earth’s Satellite

Golden Fleece – In-Space Nanometal 2D Printing Demonstration

Golden Fleece – In-Space Nanometal 2D Printing Demonstration

INNOspace Masters

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