Project description
Advancing European independence in autonomous space flight
Deep-space exploration currently faces a significant hurdle: neural guidance systems that require expensive, time-consuming retraining for every individual mission. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TRUST project aims to address this limitation by developing a universal guidance model that generalises across scenarios and incorporates quantifiable safety metrics to support widespread industry acceptance. This may allow spacecraft to navigate independently without constant ground intervention. By validating this technology through advanced hardware-in-the-loop simulations at Politecnico di Milano, TRUST seeks to empower smaller satellites to perform safety-critical tasks in extreme environments. Ultimately, the project aims to secure European competitiveness and pave the way for a new era of autonomous, highly reliable deep-space discovery.
Objective
Golden age of space exploration is here. Deep-space missions are reshaping our understanding of the solar system and its origins. Current spacecraft operations, however, still depend on large ground-based teams, resulting in high mission costs, complex logistics, and communication delays. As a result, operational capacity will saturate with the booming of space missions.
The TRUST (Transforming Reliable Universal Spacecraft Trajectory neural model with safety feedback) project will address this challenge by establishing a new autonomous guidance and control paradigm for spacecraft. The project leverages advanced neural network technology to transform heavy mission-specific computations into a compact on-board system. This shift reduces dependence on ground intervention and increases adaptability to uncertainties.
The project focuses on two core breakthroughs. First, it solves the bottleneck of neural guidance that demands retraining for each mission, by providing reliable generalization capability. Second, TRUST introduces embedded, quantifiable feedback safety metrics within the neural model, an essential element for wider acceptance by the aerospace industry. These innovations will enable the resulting system to serve both on-ground mission analysis and on-board guidance. TRUST technology will be validated through hardware-in-the-loop simulations, leveraging the EXTREMA Simulation Hub from the ERC-funded EXTREMA project.
To ensure scientific excellence and practical relevance, I will implement the project at Politecnico di Milano, with a secondment at the European Space Agency. TRUST will mark a turning point in my research career and foster my academic independence. It will empower future deep-space exploration while aligning with Europe's vision for autonomous space systems. By enabling smaller spacecraft to operate independently for safety-critical autonomy in extreme environments, TRUST will strengthen both scientific progress and European competitiveness.
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.
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy space exploration
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering astronautical engineering spacecraft
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence computational intelligence
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.