AImotive and C3S are collaborating to create a prototype hardware platform for the efficient execution of artificial intelligence (AI) onboard satellites by H2 2021.

C3S will adapt AImotive’s aiWare NN hardware acceleration technology in its space electronics platform to enable high performance AI capabilities in small, power-constrained satellites. The results of this collaboration are expected to accelerate the commercialization of a wide range of services for both specialized and mass-market applications, such as telecommunications, Earth and space observation, autonomous satellite operation, docking support, asteroid mining etc.

Autonomous, intelligent operation has always been expected of satellites to a certain extent. However, currently widespread solutions are highly dependent on ground stations. Typically, satellites collect business or scientific data and downlink them to the ground in full without pre-processing. This is insufficient in use cases that require immediate action, for example natural disasters, precision agricultural solutions, remote sensing data-based forecasting and alerting, cargo tracking.

The use of AI for automated operation in many perception and decision-making tasks is widespread in the automotive industry. However, significant processing capabilities are needed to compute the large amount of data needed for neural networks (NN) and AI intensive workloads. AImotive has been developing automotive NNs on automotive-grade hardware platforms for over four years. The company has realized that the lack of optimal hardware is one of the biggest limitations of automated driving and is pioneering development in this area.

AImotive has a deep understanding of many of the challenges of deploying AI in highly constrained embedded environments, such as ensuring all data movement is tightly controlled to minimize power consumption and maximize system robustness for high reliability. However, the requirements of the space industry are even more demanding than for automotive, requiring the best minds from both automotive and space industries to come together to identify new approaches.

In addition to large satellite solutions developments, C3S specializes in highly reliable, 3-16U smallsat platforms that support In Orbit Demonstration (IOD), Earth Observation (EO), space weather forecast, and IoT missions. In addition, C3S provides a turnkey solution for nanosat missions covering the whole lifecycle from mission planning to deorbiting.

Executive Comments

“AImotive’s vast experience in deploying AI in highly constrained embedded environments is why C3S chose to adapt its aiWare NN acceleration platform for use in space,” said Gyula Horváth, CEO of C3S. “Adapting automotive or military grade tools and technologies for the space industry is not uncommon. The strong experience C3S holds in working with both cubic and large-scale satellites is an enormous advantage for this process, and we are excited to be joining forces with AImotive to make sure our space electronics platform will be the most robust on the market.“

“It is a very exciting time for the AImotive team to be involved in the introduction of such an innovative terrestrial technology to the space industry,” said László Kishonti, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at AImotive. “The solution will include extensions of our low-power aiWare hardware NN acceleration architectures specifically designed to withstand the demanding habitat of space, including heat fluctuations and cosmic radiation.”

Peter Anderson has been appointed Vice President, Business Development, with responsibility for Sales and Marketing of AAC Clyde Space’s portfolio of products and services.

In his new role, he will also join the group’s management team.

Peter Anderson joined AAC Clyde Space in 2015 and has, in his previous role as Head of Business Development Mission & Services, been instrumental in developing AAC Clyde Space’s Space as a Service offering. He has also led negotiations on various key contracts.

Peter Anderson has a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Glasgow and a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Aided Engineering and Analysis from the University of West of Scotland.

Executive Comment

“Leveraging his extensive commercial and technical background, Peter has formed strong relationships with AAC Clyde Space’s customers and developed new and exciting propositions. He excels in providing the business direction on the latest innovations and market growth areas“, said AAC Clyde Space CEO, Luis Gomes.

The European Space Agency (ESA) recently granted 1 million euros to smallsat mission integrator, NanoAvionics, to develop key components for smallsat propulsion systems.

The new propulsion technologies, with a thrust of up to 5N, aim to further reduce the cost of small satellite projects while making each satellite more reliable, propellant supply chains safer, and constellations more economical. Based on those components a new generation of propulsion systems for small satellites will be used in future ESA missions, and available to commercial satellite operators across the world.

The first two R&D projects for NanoAvionics by ESA include the development of a miniature latch valve and a double-seat 1N valve for mono-propellant applications. They are a result of the Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS) in Lithuania.

NanoAvionics will also participate, as a partner organisation, in two additional ESA funded satellite technology R&D projects. The first, led by Vilnius University, will develop a resistojet thruster for small satellites that uses water as a propellant. The main advantages of the proposed solution will be the reduction of manufacturing costs, increased efficiency compared to existing low power thrusters and the use of a very safe propellant.

The Baltic Institute of Advanced Technologies leads the second project, which will develop an ultra-wideband software-defined radio for space communications. This technology will cover the vast majority of the space communication bands.

Funded under the 4th call for outline proposals of PECS, NanoAvionics will develop a miniature latch valve (MLV) to improve the safety and performance of mono-propellant thrusters. Designed to isolate the propellant tank from the thrusters, the MLV’s sealed construction and normally-closed configuration will prevent unwanted leaks of propellant during the satellite’s launch and orbital operations. Under the PECS grant, NanoAvionics will refine and test a prototype, demonstrating the MLV’s utility for use in chemical or electric propulsion systems.

NanoAvionics also received funding under the 5th call for outline proposals of PECS to develop a double-seat 1N valve (DSV) for mono-propellant applications. Intended to reduce the mass and complexity relative to existing valves, the DSV will make propellant supply chains in small satellites safer and more reliable.

As a European Space Agency cooperating state since 2014, Lithuania has fostered closer ties between ESA, the Lithuanian space industry, and the Lithuanian academic community.

Executive Comment

NanoAvionics CEO, Vytenis J. Buzas, said, “Designing and developing propulsion components specifically for smallsats, instead of optimising systems based on larger spacecraft, signifies a new paradigm in satellite development. By putting mass efficiency and reliability of satellite components on centre stage it will help to reduce production cost and increase revenues. At NanoAvionics we are proud to contribute to Lithuania’s growing cooperation with the European Space Agency. As a leader in nanosatellite technologies, NanoAvionics is well-positioned to support ESA in finding a new and improved solution propulsion technologies for smallsats.”

As many as 20 smallsat buses are now contracted to Blue Canyon Technologies by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

The smallsats — based on the company’s X-SAT smallsat — will be an integral part of a proposed DARPA LEO network, with SA Photonics also selected by the agency to participate in this project.

A total of $ 14.1 million is the base value of the Blue Canyon contract and will require the company to engage in system design development as well as the implementation of all of the tech that will be necessary to ensure the spacecraft are fully compatible with the autonomous C&C platform called “Pit Boss.”

Pit Boss will acquire the smallsats’ data and, while the smallsats are on-orbit, process that information and then forward to users on Earth… all without human input. The DARPA Blackjack constellation will be built using Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) packaged solutions that are designed for military uses.

Deployment of these smallsats is expected to occur by 2022.

Despite the devasting news of losing their maiden satellite, Faraday-1, In-Space Missions has vowed to continue its Faraday satellite program

Although the nanosat was launched on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket yesterday evening (July 4th) from New Zealand, the launch vehicle failed in its late ascent, losing Faraday-1 and its seven payloads on-board, as well as several other satellites launching with Electron.

“The In-Space team sat poised yesterday evening watching the launch of Faraday-1, which was a culmination of two years of hard work. When we heard that the launch vehicle failed four minutes into the flight, we were all absolutely gutted,” said Doug Liddle, CEO and Founder of In-Space Missions, which is based in Bordon, Hampshire.

Faraday-1 had been carrying payloads from several customers including Airbus Defence and Space, Kleos Space, Lacuna Space, the Space Environment Research Centre in Canberra, Canadensys Aerospace and Aeternum.

“Many of our team have been involved in previous space missions, so we’re fully aware of the fragile nature of launches. However, this knowledge and experience doesn’t make this failed mission any easier to accept. We are also extremely disappointed for the seven customers on-board our satellite but will work hard with them all to ensure their planned missions successfully reach orbit as soon as possible,” added Doug.

Rocket Lab had previously launched 12 successful missions. Following launch, Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck, tweeted, “We are deeply sorry to our customers Spaceflight Inc., Canon Electronics Inc., Planet, and In-Space Missions for the loss of their payloads. We know many people poured their hearts and souls into those spacecraft. Today’s anomaly is a reminder that space launch can be unforgiving, but we will identify the issue, rectify it, and be safely back on the pad as soon as possible.”

Looking to the future, Doug said, “In-Space will not be deterred by this unfortunate accident. A lot of amazing work has been achieved to date, and we are already putting our experiences on Faraday-1 to work on our Faraday-2nd generation ESA program as well as on a number of other satellites we have under contract. We were planning a Faraday-1b for launch in the middle of 2021 and we will now look to bring this forward. We will continue to work closely with our payload customers and plan to be on the launchpad again in the very near future.”

Following a successful lift-off, first stage burn, and stage separation, Rocket Lab experienced an anomaly during the company’s 13th Electron mission ‘Pics Or It Didn’t Happen.’ The vehicle has been lost due to this mishap.

The issue occurred approximately four minutes into the flight on July 4, 2020, and resulted in the safe loss of the vehicle. As a result, the payloads onboard Electron were not deployed to orbit. Electron remained within the predicted launch corridors and caused no harm to personnel or the launch site. Rocket Lab is working closely with the FAA to investigate the anomaly and identify its root cause to correct the issue to move forward.

This anomaly occurred after 11 consecutive successful orbital launches of the Electron launch vehicle. Rocket Lab currently has more than eight Electron vehicles in production, ready for a rapid return to flight as soon as investigations are complete and any required corrective actions are in place.

“We are deeply sorry to our customers Spaceflight Inc., Canon Electronics Inc., Planet, and In-Space Missions for the loss of their payloads. We know many people poured their hearts and souls into those spacecraft. Today’s anomaly is a reminder that space launch can be unforgiving, but we will identify the issue, rectify it, and be safely back on the pad as soon as possible,” said Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO. “The launch team operated with professionalism and expertise to implement systems and procedures that ensured the anomaly was managed safely. I’m proud of the way they have responded to a tough day. We’re working together as a team to comb through the data, learn from today, and prepare for our next mission.”

Horizon Technologies has received an additional £100,000 Grant to help fund its AMBER CubeSat-based Intelligence Data Service. Horizon Technologies CEO John Beckner stated, “We are thrilled and grateful to receive this additional Innovate UK Grant as it gives us a further stamp of approval from the UK Government for our AMBER program.”

“As European business travel is coming back, the Horizon Technologies team is back again conducting face-to-face meetings with commercial and government end-users. As AMBER is a Public/Private partnership with the UK Government, we are most grateful for the continuing support from the UK Government; DIT and DSO in particular.” Beckner noted, “Despite the worldwide disruptions due to COVID-19, our legacy FlyingFish business is increasing, and our list of AMBER end-users continues to grow—2020 will be our most successful year yet.”

“The Innovate UK Grant is a Continuance Grant which will be put to good use in making sure our AMBER Processing Centre (APC) will be up and running in the near future.” Beckner notes, “The APC needs to be fully tested and operational in order be able to provide terrestrial AMBER data for integration testing for our AMBER end-users in addressing their Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) requirements. Using Horizon Technologies’ unique IP, the APC processes AIS, Sat Phone, Maritime Radar, and GNSS Spoofer signals sent to it from the AMBER payload.”