On Orbit Servicing and Autonomy

The "On-Orbit Servicing and Autonomy" group of the Space Flight Technology department conducts applied research for future robotic OOS-missions (On-Orbit Servicing) and for Earth observation missions.

In the field of On-orbit Servicing, new GNC-concepts (Guidance, Navigation and Control) based on optical navigation (camera, LIDAR) are developed for the approach to non-cooperative targets like satellites at the end of their life-cycle or space debris. With the robotic test facility EPOS 2.0 (European Proximity Operations Simulator) the rendezvous and docking (RvD) process, as well as the developed GNC-methods are verified by HIL (hardware-in-the-loop) simulations.

The research goal for Earth observation missions is the development of intelligent on-board processing methods for Earth observation data. They allow for a significant optimization of such missions. Additionally, completely new applications can be realized, as the detection of ships for maritime real-time surveillance.

Research Topics

GNC-Concepts for the Rendezvous-Phase

 

• Camera-based Navigation
• Time of Flight Sensor Navigation (PMD, LIDAR)
• Development of Approach-Concepts and GNC Systems

 

 

 

 

Hardware in the Loop RvD Simulation

 

• EPOS 2.0 – Robotic RvD-Simulator
• Closed Loop Rendezvous Simulation in Real-Time
• OOS End-to-End Simulation
• Verification and Test of Rvd Sensors and Systems
• Testcampaigns with Internal and External Partners

 

 

 

Intelligent On-board Processing of Earth Observation Data

 

• VIMOS – Verification of IMage analysis Onboard a Spacecraft
• OBC-NG – On-Board-Computer Next Generation
• AMARO - Autonomous Real-time Detection of mobile maritime Objects
• ScOSA - Scalable On-Board Computing for Space Avionics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Completed Projects and Studies

• VIBANASS – Vision Based Navigation Sensor System
• FOSTERNAV – Flash Optical Sensor for Terrain Relative Robotic Navigation
• iBOSS – intelligent Building blocks for On-orbit Satellite Servicing
• PRISMA – Prototype Research Instruments and Space Mission technology Advancement
• DEOS – German Orbital Servicing Mission
• OLEV – Oribital Life Extension Vehicle