Project description
Enabling self-driving nanosatellites in deep space
CubeSats are miniature satellites made of 10 cm3 modular units. Units can be stacked to carry more payload or work together in constellations depending on their mission. Initially created as affordable educational tools, thousands have been launched into low-Earth orbit to provide Earth observation, environmental monitoring and new technology demonstrations for both governmental and commercial entities. However, they rely on ground control facilities during cruise phase, which would be costly to maintain on deeper space expeditions. To address this, the ERC-funded GUIDO project aims to boost the convex-optimisation-based guidance algorithms of its previous project. In doing so, it will demonstrate proof of concept that enables spacecraft with autonomous guidance, navigation and control capabilities, paving the way for low-cost deep space exploration.
Objective
The “space revolution” is expected to become the biggest industry in history. During the last decades, space exploration has contributed to the development of various technologies (e.g. GPS, weather predictions, solar cells, reliable power grid, Earth observation services) that fedback into the economy and improved our lives. In 2020, the global space economy was valued at about $ 446.9 B. With the advent of deep-space CubeSats, nanosatellites that disrupted this industry, space agencies are planning to launch tens of CubeSat in deep space per single launch.
The number of deep-space probes is bound to thrive, yet their growth is unsustainable with current practice. Human-in-the-loop operations are particularly relevant for flight-related procedures in cruise phase: the spacecraft position is determined from ground, with a consistent involvement of resources and assets. It is acknowledged that a sustainable deep-space exploration requires enabling self-driving spacecraft.
The GUIDO project forges an autonomous guidance board to enable the self-driving capability of spacecraft in the solar system. The project stems from the ERC-funded project EXTREMA (ERC-CoG-2019). GUIDO aims to elevate the convex-optimization-based guidance algorithms conceived within EXTREMA to a proof-of-concept board at TRL 4.
Our autonomous guidance board, GUIDOboard, is a disruptive innovation that will change the modus operandi of deep-space satellite operation. GUIDO will revolutionize the way spacecraft travel in space, by cutting the cost of ground control of the whole cruise phase and unlocking the new space mission concept.
The project follows a suitably devised pathway to cover technical validation activities and assessment of exploitation opportunities. GUIDO has raised the interest of leading sectoral players and space agencies, as witnessed by the letters of interest attached.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering astronautical engineering spacecraft
- humanities history and archaeology history
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy galactic astronomy solar physics
- social sciences political sciences political transitions revolutions
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-POC2
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
20133 Milano
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.