Project description
Dynamic vision sensor suite for satellite debris detection and monitoring
The overcrowding of satellites and space debris in orbit poses collision risks and threatens future space activities. Developing capabilities to detect and track these objects is crucial for ensuring safe operations and for enabling effective debris removal and servicing missions. The EIC-funded AstrAware project will employ a sensor suite for comprehensive target characterisation at both long and short ranges. This suite features dynamic vision sensors, including a neuromorphic camera optimised for debris detection and an adapted star tracker. By sharing data and complementing each other’s strengths, these sensors deliver continuous optical information for navigation as well as debris detection and tracking, providing substantial operational advantages.
Objective
The current overpopulation of satellites in orbit requires decisive actions to ensure safe operations in the near-Earth environment. These actions are particularly challenging, as only a fraction of objects in orbit are cooperative satellites, while the majority are space debris, which includes inactive satellites, rocket bodies, and fragments of all sizes. Space debris significantly raises the risk of collisions, and its continued increase could render space activities unsustainable in the future. In this context, developing the capability to detect, identify, and track orbiting objects is essential for predicting their trajectories and assessing potential conjunctions with other satellites. Additionally, advancing technologies for proximity operations is vital for enabling large-scale active space debris removal and servicing missions.
The AstrAware project aims to contribute to both tasks through a sensor suite that provides long-range and close-range characterization of a detected target.
To achieve these two functions, the project will employ a sensor suite that incorporates innovative dynamic vision sensors with novel data processing pipelines. Central to this system is the integration of a neuromorphic camera, optimized for detecting debris through its heightened sensitivity to illumination changes, alongside an adapted star tracker that functions as a dynamic vision sensor. By working together, these sensors not only share data but also enhance each other's performance, providing continuous optical information for both far- and close-range navigation. This synergy allows for precise proximity operations, seamlessly incorporating debris detection and attitude control within a single, efficient sensor suite, delivering significant operational advantages.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
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-EIC - HORIZON EIC 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) HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
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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.