Project description
Satellite impact risk from centimetre-to-decimetre meteoroids
The risk posed by tiny meteoroids to satellites and space missions is poorly understood due to limited data and inadequate energy-estimation methods. The EU-funded SONAR project will enhance our understanding by integrating optical and acoustic observations through the MOROI optical and NIEP infrasound networks in Romania. It will analyse combined detections of meteoroid impacts to create comprehensive catalogues and refine methods for estimating impact energies and risks. Advanced machine learning techniques will automate acoustic detection, improving both detection capabilities and data processing efficiency. The project will deliver open-access datasets and risk models to assist satellite operators, space agencies, and policymakers in planetary defence and space situational awareness.
Objective
Project SONAR aims to significantly improve our understanding of the impact risk posed by centimetre-to-decimetre meteoroids to satellite infrastructure and space missions. Small-scale impacts remain poorly characterized due to limited observational data and insufficient methods to reliably estimate their energies. SONAR will bridge this knowledge gap by systematically integrating optical and acoustic observations using the uniquely overlapping MOROI optical and NIEP infrasound networks in Romania.
The project has two core objectives: (1) to statistically analyse combined optical and acoustic detections of meteoroid impacts, creating comprehensive catalogues, and (2) to refine the methods used to accurately estimate meteoroid impact energies and risks. SONAR employs advanced machine learning techniques to automate acoustic detection, significantly increasing detection capabilities, and data processing efficiency towards building a statistically significant data set.
Through strategic secondments, targeted training, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the project will deliver robust, open-access datasets and risk models. These outputs will directly inform satellite operators, space agencies, and policy makers involved in planetary defence and space situational awareness.
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 satellite technology
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science data processing
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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.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
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-WIDERA-2025-TALENTS-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.
040557 Bucuresti
Romania
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.