Project description
Spacecraft testing for the new space era
As the space economy rapidly expands, reaching hundreds of billions of euro in 2023, the proliferation of space probes poses new challenges. Current methods of testing and developing autonomous spacecraft are hindered by high costs and limited access to space environments. Extensive empirical testing is crucial for resilient technology, but traditional testing methods are often prohibitive. The ERC-funded AXESS project offers a solution with its web-based Testing-as-a-Service platform, built on the EXTREMA Simulation Hub. AXESS provides an environment for high-fidelity, X-in-the-loop experiments, allowing users to conduct automated testing of space systems with real-time monitoring and data collection. This platform enables more flexible, cost-effective testing and development, addressing the growing needs of the space industry.
Objective
The New Space is expected to become the biggest industry in human history. In 2023, the global space economy was valued at about $500B. The number of space probes is bound to thrive, yet their growth is unsustainable: developing spacecraft autonomy is paramount to remove the costs and limits of human-in-the-loop operation activities. However, developing resilient autonomous technologies requires extensive empirical testing in representative environmental conditions, and access-to-space costs are still prohibitive.
AXESS offers a web-based Testing-as-a-Service platform dedicated to spacecraft systems and technologies. Erected over the EXTREMA Simulation Hub, AXESS provides an integrated testing environment in which high-fidelity, X-in-the-loop experiments of space systems are performed under a state-of-the-art accelerated framework. Moreover, AXESS allows adopters to embrace a more flexible and agile CI/CD philosophy, enabling automated testing of space software, firmware, and IP core designs on modules and testbenches that are representative of real space technologies and hardware. Access to the platform will be granted through a web-based user interface, from which it will be possible to configure the automatic and manual test routines, monitor and control the ongoing testing activities in real-time, and collect simulation logs and metrics. AXESS allows the users to carry out data-driven system design, debugging, and fine-tuning through all the phases of the system development lifecycle.
The project follows a suitably devised pathway to cover technical validation activities and assessment of exploitation opportunities. AXESS has raised the interest of the leading sectoral players and space agencies, as witnessed by the letters of support 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.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftware
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringastronautical engineeringspacecraft
- humanitieshistory and archaeologyhistory
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- humanitiesphilosophy, ethics and religionphilosophy
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Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsHost institution
20133 Milano
Italy