Neuraspace, a European leader in space domain awareness (SDA) solutions, is working with ESA to revolutionise satellite navigation and orbit management through innovative use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies.
The joint project, developed with the support of ESA’s NAVISP (Element 2) programme, is titled "Stop Getting Noise – Automated GNSS Processing for Smarter Orbits". It seeks to address critical operational challenges faced by commercial satellite operators, launch service providers and defence and government agencies.
The challenges to be addressed include the urgent need for more scalable, accurate, and autonomous orbit determination, particularly for satellite mega-constellations, in an increasingly congested space environment. Whereas defence and government agencies demand high-confidence SDA solutions amid increasing geopolitical tensions, satellite operators require reliable orbit tracking and early mission support.
With the help of Neuraspace, the envisioned result from various planned innovations to use GNSS, and automate manual processes onboard a satellite, will further reduce the risk of satellite collisions, enabling satellite operators to make faster and more accurate decisions about safekeeping their assets. They will also lead to more efficient operations, due to lesser reliance on ground infrastructure, and smarter fuel management translating into lower mission costs for operators.
Chiara Manfletti, CEO of Neuraspace said: “By solving fundamental GNSS challenges, Neuraspace and ESA are paving the way for smarter, safer, and more autonomous space operations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond. The project also signifies a new milestone for space traffic management while Neuraspace will be setting new standards for satellite autonomy and decision-making capabilities.”
In particular, the innovative advancements include:
- GNSS Data Cleanup to remove biases (systematic errors such as clock errors or delays in signal transmission) and noise (unwanted random variability or distortion in GNSS signal data) to improve the precision of orbit determination.
- GNSS Orbital Phase Correction by introducing lightweight (computationally efficient) onboard algorithms, designed to run on resource-constrained satellite systems. They will use real-time data to enable satellites to autonomously correct trajectory predictions and minimise reliance on ground stations, saving valuable time and resources.
- GNSS Orbit Determination Accuracy, to provide better orbit predictions by developing advanced methodologies to deliver highly critical positioning information for safe operations and manoeuvre planning.
“Tackling and solving the various challenges of different types of space actors through Neuraspace’s vision roadmap will lay the technical foundation for the future of autonomous spacecraft,” Manfletti said.
