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News
No. 82
Towards
sustainable space:
the satellite traffic
and space-debris
challenge
INTERVIEW
Holger Krag
Head of ESA's Space Safety Programme
73rd International Astronautical Congress 18-22 de September. Paris, France The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) will once again be holding its 73rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2021) in Paris Convention Centre, from September 18 to 22. Under the title “Space for @ll”, IAC 2021 will offer an extensive and multidisciplinary technical program of sessions and conferences covering a wide range of disciplines within the space sector. As well as running its own stand (J2), GMV will also have a space in the pavilion of the public business organization ICEX, where it will be presenting various technical items and giving various presentations. Come visit us! More information: www.iac2022.org
Letter from the president
Problems begin in the movie Gravity of space debris accumulated for over
when a missile destroys a satellite. Its 60 years now poses a very real danger
fragments collide with other satellites, to active satellites and even to the
producing more and more fragments that astronauts in the International Space
end up crashing into the shuttle of the Station.
astronauts that are the protagonists
of the movie. Space debris proliferation In order to be able to divert active
in reality happens much more slowly. satellites that are on a path to
Even so, space debris is a reality, and its collision, space debris must be very
origins are indeed partly due to satellites closely monitored. GMV is leading the
destroyed by missiles, although most of development of space surveillance
it is launcher remains, loose pieces and systems for several European countries,
inactive satellites that have completed and we provide collision avoidance
their missions. The first pieces of space services to over eighty satellites from
debris were produced at very beginning ten different commercial operators. We
of the space race: Sputnik's protective also participate in R&D projects of the
layer and launcher coupling parts. The European Space Agency for hunting
problem is that satellites and space down inoperative satellites to divert
debris move at very high speeds of them to the atmosphere, where they are
approximately 10 km/s, 20 to 30 times destroyed due to the friction heat caused
faster than the bullet of a gun, and by their extremely high speed. We need
therefore any collision with one of these to take care of our environment, which
objects, no matter how small it might be, we are already expanding beyond the
can cause serious damage. The amount Earth’s limits.
3 GMV NEWS 82
CONTENTS
No. 82
Published
GMV
Editorship-Coordination
Marta Jimeno, Marta del Pozo
Area Heads
Antonio Hernández, Miguel Ángel Molina, José
Prieto, Javier Zubieta
58
Writing
Alberto Águeda, Juan Miguel Auñón, José
Carlos Baquero, Carlos Barredo, Maria Jesús
3
Calvo, Maole Cerezo, José Luis Delgado, Carlos
Doménech, Raquel Fernández, Rossana Gini, LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Javier Gómez González, Carlos González Bayod,
Luis Grañana, Sara Gutiérrez, Rafal Krzysiak,
Ángel C. Lázaro, David Lora, Ana Isabel Martinez,
Mariasole Melara, Mattia Moscardino, Héctor 6 ARTICLE
Naranjo, Cristina de Negueruela, Jorge Ocón, Towards sustainable space: the
Eric Polvorosa, Maciej Józef Prokopczyk, Óscar
satellite traffic and space-debris
Riaño, Freddy Wilmer Rivas, Pablo Rivas, Enrique
challenge
Rivero, Miguel Russián, David, Sanz, Tatiana
Teresa, Victoria Toledano, Mihaela Violeta
Gheorghe 12 INTERVIEW
Holger Krag
Main Article
Alberto Águeda Head of ESA's Space Safety Programme
Art, design and layout
Paloma Casero, Verónica Arribas
MORE INFORMATION
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Magazine No. 82. Second quarter of 2021
© GMV, 2022
4
12 16 36
6 40 52
70 76 81
16 AERONAUTICS 58 ITS
GMV primes the contract to define a new EGNSS service for drones GMV wins the contract for the management system of Bilbao
and Vitoria’s trams
20 SPACE
GMV cements its leadership in collision avoidance operations 66 AUTOMOTIVE & MOBILITY
automation and coordination in Europe Opinion | Management of low-emission zones, urban tolling and
mobility innovation
36 ROBOTICS
The Robotic Digital Twin projects comes through its critical 70 ICT
design review with flying colors Crop yield prediction using quantum computing
40 DEFENSE & SECURITY 76 CORPORATE INFORMATION
GMV firms up its position as a tried and tested supplier of the Interview to Soledad Cardozo Salazar
European External Action Service International Strategic Partnerships Manager of the Spanish
ACNUR Committee
46 CYBERSECURITY
Industrial Cybersecurity: All-in approach in a digital 81 TALENT
transformation environment Boomerang employees: when values come first
52 HEALTHCARE
Diagnosing illnesses in outer space
5 GMV NEWS 82
ARTICLE
6
Towards sustainable space: the satellite traffic and space-debris challenge
Towards sustainable
space: the satellite
traffic and space-debris
challenge
Space debris poses a stiff challenge for the security and sustainability of future space
operations, not only for our generation but also for the ones to come.
ince the start of the space the main source of this huge number orbiting the earth (for which space
S race, kicking off with
Sputnik in 1957, thousands
of objects is collisions between
two orbiting satellites (witness
debris poses a considerable risk) and
ambitious plans now underway to
of launches have place the 2009 collision between a US develop space tourism.
over 13,000 artificial satellites into communications satellite and an
orbit. About 6000 of these are still old Russian satellite at a height of The likelihood of collision between
active, operating in an increasingly 790 km), satellite explosions two objects in space is low but this
congested scenario that endangers (especially old satellites or final probability is continually edging up
their current operations and future launcher stages improperly passivated with the growing number of objects.
access to space. To make matters at the end of their useful life) and Given the current congestion of space
worse, several thousand new satellites anti-satellite tests such as those and the number of scheduled launches,
are due to be launched in the coming carried out by China in 2007 (the the probability of catastrophic
years, including large, low-orbit source of the great majority of today’s collisions is growing too. Such
constellations. space debris), by the USA in 2008, by collisions could imply not only the loss
India in 2019 and, most recently, by of any mission but also fragmentation
The European Space Agency (ESA) Russia in November 2021. of the objects and the possibility of
estimates that a total of almost sparking a chain-reaction domino effect
10,000 tons of material is currently This doesn’t seem to pose a serious called the Kessler syndrome. This
orbiting our planet, including over a threat to life on earth. Satellites, would create a cloud of objects in the
million objects bigger than 1 cm, all however, depend heavily on our affected orbits with the consequent
of which could render any satellite communication, earth-observation exponential increase of collision
useless on impact. A constant watch and navigation capabilities, etc. The probability, making space much more
is kept on only about 30,000 of these development of our society is heavily hazardous to access and operate in.
objects, typically bigger than 10 cm. space-dependent, so space has to
The other unmonitored objects orbiting be viewed as an environment to be By way of analogy, space debris could
our planet make up what is known as preserved. This is particularly so in be viewed as a sort of illness of the
space debris. the case of low and geostationary space environment. This illness needs
orbits (the busiest and most coveted), to be prevented, diagnosed, monitored
Apart from the launched satellites around which protection zones have and dealt with in pursuit of an overall
themselves and the final launcher been defined. Consideration has to be cure. This is a global problem calling
stages that have placed them in orbit, given too to the crewed space stations for global solutions.
7 GMV NEWS 82
ARTICLE
PREVENTION: RULES These guides and standards lay
down the activities to be avoided
DIAGNOSIS:
AND STANDARDS by satellite operators to stem the MONITOR AND
TO CURB THE proliferation of space debris. These
discouraged activities include
CATALOG SPACE
PROLIFERATION OF intentionally destroying objects in DEBRIS
space, while operators are encouraged Space surveillance operations are
SPACE DEBRIS to perform collision-evasion operations, carried out to monitor the population
As far back as 2002 the Inter-Agency to passivate old satellites (emptying of space debris: detection, observation
Space Debris Coordination Committee their fuel tanks and batteries) and send and monitoring of these objects by
(IADC), made up by the world’s main them into graveyard orbits at the end means of diverse sensors from earth
space agencies, published a series of of their useful lives. The trouble is, (radar, telescopes, lasers, etc) or space
space debris mitigation guidelines, the however, that none of these actions (especially onboard cameras). A catalog
last update coming in 2021. is technically binding, since space is of orbiting object above a certain
an environment of free access where threshold size (usually over 10 cm in
Following on from this work, in 2009 no legislation can be enforced on all- low orbits and 1 m in high objects)
the UN’s Committee on the Peaceful comers. is drawn up from this monitoring
Uses of Outer Space published information and regularly updated.
guidelines intended to ensure Long-term But things are changing: some These catalogs in turn help to assess
Sustainability of Outer Space Activities. countries are now beginning to draw the likelihood of collisions between
These guides have been updated in up legislative and regulatory mitigation operational satellites and space debris,
recent years, the latest dating from June initiatives. Witness France’s Space maneuvering accordingly to avoid
2019. Operations Act, passed in 2008 and them. Other services are also rendered
binding on all French satellite operators. such as detection and analysis of
In 2009 too an ISO standard was This law includes the famous rule fragmentations in orbit or forecasting
published on space debris mitigating whereby the maximum orbital lifetime uncontrolled reentries.
requirements, updated thereafter in after the end of any satellite’s useful
2019. ISO is working on a new standard life is 25 years, by which time it must The USA has been a trailblazer here,
to ensure coordination of space traffic. have reentered the earth’s atmosphere. running a space surveillance system
8
Towards sustainable space: the satellite traffic and space-debris challenge
first set up during the cold war. Its
ostensible remit is to detect any launches
Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU
SST) for developing Europe’s own space
CURE AND
of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Under surveillance system. EU SST is a federated ERADICATION:
this system telescopes and radars have system, comprising the national systems
been set up all around the world and they of several member countries. The initial REMEDIATION AND
can now be used to catalog these objects.
Part of this information is offered publicly,
consortium members were France,
Germany, Italy, Spain and Great Britain.
ELIMINATION OF
albeit at times with degraded precision Great Britain has recently dropped out, SPACE DEBRIS
and never for space missions deemed to post Brexit, while other EU countries But the problem’s still there. Space debris
be critical or classified. have been brought into the fold, like is eliminated only upon reentry of the
Portugal, Poland and Romania. In 2023 the earth’s atmosphere. Only for objects in
In Europe, way back in the nineties, consortium is expected to grow to a total the lowest orbits (usually below 800 km)
ESA developed applications to monitor of about 15 member countries. does this occur naturally in fewer than
and catalog space debris and assess 100 years. Space debris higher than this
any collision risk with its operational Effectively, in view of the sheer will continue going round and round for
satellites. Since 2009, moreover, it has importance of this problem, the EU has thousands of years.
been developing an ambitious space decided to put everything behind these
security program, involving not only space initiatives. It has recently published its Space-debris elimination technology is
surveillance technology but also planetary intention of creating a new European now being developed and new concepts
defense and space climatology systems. Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and explored. Most of these ideas involve
Space Traffic Management (STM) program. launching a satellite to capture another
Europe’s defense ministries and the main In the future this new program will have inactive one (using a net, harpoon or
space agencies are also doing their bit, to become part of Europe’s major space robotic arm, for example) and remove
developing national space surveillance programs, together with the longstanding it from protected space zones and, if
systems over recent years. Taking its navigation (Galileo and EGNOS) and earth possible, effect a controlled reentry of
cue from these national initiatives, observation (Copernicus) programs and the earth’s atmosphere in the case of low
Europe also now runs its own space the new European Union Governmental orbits.
surveillance system. In 2015 the European Satellite Communications (GOVSATCOM)
Union unveiled a program called EU program. Recent missions of this type include
Northrop-Grumman’s Mission Extension
Vehicle (MEV), which has recently
extended the useful life of two Intelsat
satellites, and the European demonstration
missions, ESA’s ClearSpace-1 and
Astroscale UK’s ELSA-d.
9 GMV NEWS 82
ARTICLE
GMV, EUROPEAN Software (including object cataloging,
planning of sensors and collision
GMV is also priming several EU
SST-related R&D studies for
LEADER IN DEALING service, reentries and fragmentations) Spain’s Industrial Technology
and also ESA’s Collision Risk Development Center (CDTI in
WITH SPACE DEBRIS Estimation and Automated Mitigation Spanish initials). For example,
GMV is a world leading light in the (CREAM) program; it has also designed GMV is developing Focusear , a
study, monitoring and prevention of Space-Based Surveillance Systems passive monitoring system of active
space debris. Its work in this field (SBSSs) and Guidance, Navigation telecommunications satellites in
dates back to the late nineties when and Control (GNC) systems for geostationary orbits.
it began to work with the European space-debris-elimination missions.
Space Agency (ESA) on activities of Worthy of particular note is its ■ In France GMV has been supporting
object cataloging and in-orbit collision participation with AVS in the CNES’s space debris activities since
avoidance. development of the PRINCE concept, 2012. In Toulouse GMV is leading
which will enable the new generation development and operation of CNES’
In all, over 80 GMV engineers are now of EU’s Copernicus satellites to be Simulation and Analysis Bench for
working on space-debris activities removed from their operational orbits. Space Surveillance System (Banc
in seven different countries (Spain, d'Analyse et de Simulation d'un
France, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Under the EU SST umbrella and the Systeme de Surveillance de l'Espace:
Romania and Portugal), making it national space-surveillance programs BAS3E), among other projects.
Europe’s biggest space-debris team. GMV has primed and led contracts in
all the abovementioned countries, ■ In Germany GMV is leading
Since 2010 the company has worked pride of place going to the following maintenance and upgrading of
on over 30 ESA space-safety projects responsibilities: the mission system for Germany’s
from all these countries, acting as Space Situational Awareness
prime contractor in nearly 20 of them, ■ In Spain GMV is leading the Centre (GSSAC) and development
collaborating with more than 40 firms design, development, integration, of the basic SSA data processing
and research institutes from the management and operation of algorithms (underpinning EU SST’s
whole of Europe. By way of example, the Spanish Space Surveillance future space-debris catalog) for
GMV is priming ESA’s SST Core and Operations Center (S3TOC). Germany’s space agency (DLR).
10Towards sustainable space: the satellite traffic and space-debris challenge
■ In Romania GMV is leading development, been running Focusoc to provide since 2018 in support of the Spanish MoD.
integration and operation of the collision-avoidance services for 10 Finally, GMV is taking part in the 3 space-
Romanian space surveillance operations commercial operators from around surveillance projects included in the 2020
center for the Romanian Space Agency the world and over 80 satellites. call of the European Commission’s EDIDP,
(RoSA) and is also providing the image- Drawing on these capabilities, GMV namely, SAURON (sensors, under the
processing software of the Romanian is supporting the Sprint Advanced leadership of ArianeGroup), INTEGRAL
telescopes that contribute towards the Concept Training (SACT) collaborative (space control and command under the
EU SST. exercises run by USSPACECOM since leadership of Leonardo) and ODIN's EYE
2020. To do so GMV works with a (early detection from space, under the
■ In Poland GMV has led development whole set of operational software for leadership of OHB).
and integration of Poland’s space processing space surveillance data,
surveillance operations center for the including simulation and visualization, Last but not least, under the space
Polish Space Agency (POLSA). catalog keeping (taking in correlation, traffic management (STM) heading, GMV
orbit determination and detection of is leading a major European consortium
■ In Portugal GMV is conducting two R&D maneuvers), sensor planning and service for the definition of STM guidelines and
studies for Portugal’s Defense Ministry provision (comprising collision, reentry practices for the European Commission
in the framework of the EU SST system. and fragmentation). (EUSTM project). GMV also forms part
of the Space Safety Coalition (https://
■ In the United Kingdom GMV has led In the military arena GMV is providing spacesafety.org/) and supports the
eight SST-related studies in the last the processing software of the space Net Zero Space initiative (https://
four years for the UK Space Agency surveillance center of the German parispeaceforum.org/initiatives/net-zero-
(UKSA), STFC and Dstl as part of GB’s Armed Forces (Weltraumlagezentrum) space/), presides over the STM working
contribution to the EU SST and its and is supporting the Spanish MoD for group in EUROSPACE, participates in IAF’s
national initiatives in this field. definition and development of Spain’s Space Traffic Management Technical
space surveillance operations center Committee TC.26 and forms part of
GMV is no less of a benchmark firm (COVE). GMV is likewise supporting Europe’s STM standardization working
in the commercial space surveillance diverse NATO experiments and group in European Cooperation for Space
market. Since 2017, for example, GMV’s participating in the Global Sentinel Standardization (ECSS), contributing too
commercial operations center has exercises coordinated by USSPACECOM to the corresponding ISO working group.
11 GMV NEWS 82INTERVIEW
Holger
Krag
Head of ESA's Space Safety Programme
Holger Krag is the head of ESA's Space Safety Programme Office at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany.
He took his master in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Braunschweig, followed by a 4-year research period at the
Institute of Aerospace System where he focused on space debris modelling and surveillance, which also became the topic of
his PhD (2003).
In 2006, he joined ESA as an Analysist in the Space Debris Office at ESOC. In 2014, he took the position of the Head of the
Space Debris Office, which, among others, provides fundamental support to ESA’s Space Situational Awareness Programme.
In 2019, he took over the position as the head of the programme, and prepared the evolution into the new Space Safety
Programme which was established at the Space19+ Ministerial in Sevilla.
Krag is the author of/contributor to about 200 publications and has been active in education since many years through lectures
at ESA’s training center and Technical Universities in Germany.
12Holger Krag
What are the main activities of the carry, among others, a Coronograph,
ESA office you run? Heliospheric Imager and Magnetograph
Our office is responsible for the and will use its unique viewpoint to
implementation of several programs. predict the arrival time of coronal Apart from managing the Space
Firstly, we are managing the SSA mass ejections and other hazardous Safety Programme we also
Programme that was established solar events. It will be the first implement the tasks that have
in 2009 and is now coming to an operational mission from deep space been entrusted to ESA in the area
end. Most of the elements of the providing near real-time data from a of Space Weather and Near Earth
SSA Programme will continue in distance of 150 million km. Objects by the EC
the Space Safety Programme which
is significantly larger and wider in 2. Early warnings for asteroids >40 m
scope. We also implement the tasks about three weeks in advance.
that have been entrusted to ESA
in the area of Space Weather and For this, we will rely on a network The space sector’s debris-mitigation
Near Earth Objects by the European of ground-based wide-field survey performance has so far fallen well
Commission. Very important for us systems. A first instrument, the FlyEye short of is remit. We want to improve
also is the development of the Spanish telescope with a FoV of about 50 this by aiming at a zero-debris policy
Surveillance and Tracking System (S3T) square degrees in a novel design, is for ESA missions. Space system
which is implemented by us on behalf close to its deployment. Three other disposal actions would therefore have
of CDTI/MICINN. survey systems are to follow. We to become more reliable and robust.
are also planning an infrared asteroid Where they still fail, in the future,
All these activities are addressing detection mission to operate from active removal must be mandatory. To
three domains through industrial Earth Sun Lagrange Point 1 called achieve such an ambitious policy (and
research and development contracts: NEOMIR. make regulators follow our example),
Space Weather observation and the required technology must be
warnings, Planetary Defense by which 3. Capability of deflecting asteroids demonstrated and affordable. Our
we mean the detection and deflection smaller than 0.5 km (2 years in flagship is the Clearspace-1 mission
of critical Near Earth Objects, and advance). which will conduct the first ever
Space Debris detection, mitigation and active removal of an existing piece
remediation. The deflection of asteroids requires of space debris. Other technology
knowledge of the composition of the demonstrations such as de-orbiting
Finally, located as it is in ESA’s mission body and the effectiveness of the kits are on their way.
control center, our office is also momentum transfer of the chosen
responsible for frequency management mission. Jointly with NASA, with our Which are the main ESA activities to
of our antennas and spacecraft and for Hera mission we will conduct the very tackle the problem of space debris
the safety of our missions in terms of first demonstration in space using and growing space traffic?
collision avoidance. kinetic deflection on the asteroid The implementation of a good space
system Didymoon/Didymos. debris prevention policy is a high
As head of ESA’s Space Safety priority for ESA. Related requirements
program, can you give us a nutshell 4. Established European players for are systematically made applicable
account of this program’s remit and a growing market of space-traffic to all ESA missions and are followed
main lines of action? technologies and products. by an independent entity. Only
The Space Safety Programme has 5 when debris prevention is mastered
concrete goals that we want to reach For too long, we were led to believe successfully and reliably will other
by 2030: that space-traffic management actions become meaningful. We
solutions were to be developed, publish an annual report on the
1. Space Weather early warning system owned and operated by the public overall behavior of all spacefarers
tailored to European user needs. sector. Now, it is very clear that and we confidently expect this to
a significant market for business- provide transparency on the situation
Over the past years we have built to-business solutions and services and stimulate others to speed
up a pre-operational network of is opening up in this field. We are up implementation of mitigation
expert centers that can process Space working with European industry to measures.
Weather data into user products. We de-risk associated business cases and
are starting to generate operational enter this market. As an operations center with about 20
data in Europe via dedicated payloads. spacecraft operating in Earth-bound
A real flagship in this field will be the 5. Prepare European industry for orbits, we are confronted with the
Vigil mission that will operate from a zero-debris policy and a circular problem every day. Collision avoidance
Earth-Sun Lagrange Point 5. It will economy in space. thus became a normal practice in ESOC
13 GMV NEWS 82INTERVIEW
forward and which we would like to The increased use of space in recent
foster through the proposed DRACO years raises the question of a more
destructive re-entry mission. coordinated use of space. While
other scarce resources (such as the
Of course, active removal will become frequency spectrum) are coordinated
an important element of “policy”, and all players strive to make more
when it becomes a mandatory action effective use of those resources, in
as a result of failure. This will not space such a coordination is absent.
only stipulate a better success-rate in The problem is that the use of space
disposing of space systems but also is less evident and more difficult to
open up a market for the suppliers of quantify. Once a good and acceptable
removal services. quantification scheme is available
this could be used to measure and
What are the main causes and effects coordinate the consumption of space
of increasing space congestion? What and stipulate consumption targets for
future challenges does it pose? future missions.
The increasing congestion in space is a
result of the overall poor performance Which would you consider likely to
in achieving debris mitigation in the be the main developments in coming
past and present. We are still recording years to address these challenges?
about 10 fragmentation events per year Schemes to measure the consumption
and a few dozen space objects are not of space are being developed in the
properly disposed of every year. All academic sector and are now being
this at a time when the use of space is compared and discussed. They will
about 20 years ago. Today, this task significantly increasing. be deployed and made available in a
is becoming increasingly cumbersome transparent way. Should the inherent
and resource-intensive. This will have two-fold consequences. logic of the schemes be accepted
A short-term consequence is an by the international community,
Moving on to the space systems, we additional burden for operators. The future mitigation rulings might
need to revisit our platforms in order number of conjunction alerts received make use of these to intensify
to make mitigation actions more for ESA missions has increased the implementation of mitigation
failsafe. Space system passivation and significantly. This comes with a cost measures. Missions posing a risk of
space system disposal must also work burden, since manpower, station time long-term environmental impacts will
after the failure of major functional and propellant are consumed. Today, show up with a larger computed space
chains onboard. This requires more there is roughly 1 maneuver every consumption and would automatically
redundancy or independent onboard week for the full ESA fleet. A new have to accept more stringent
devices that provide this additional difficulty is conjunction warnings requirements.
redundancy. We focus a lot of effort between two active spacecraft. Here,
on these technologies. A challenge not coordination action is a must. Increasing space-traffic and the
to be forgotten here is the on-ground resulting number of collision warnings
risk, which might have significant But this still relies on a manual underline the need also for more
repercussions on spacecraft design. process a long-term consequence precise surveillance data. The more
Design-for-demise is an emergency is the self-sustained degradation accurate the data is, the more false
technology that we are driving of the environment due to the alerts can be avoided. It would be
increased likelihood of collisions a fine goal for Europe to improve
and resulting contaminating effects state-of-the-art accuracy by a factor of
(collisional cascading). In the worst 10. This would lower space operators’
case, future generations might not efforts by the same factor. This also
have the possibility anymore of shows that there is an inherent
using the portions of space that are commercial value. High frequency
The increasing congestión in
ideal for some applications (i.e. earth ranging or space-based solutions could
Space is a result of the overall
observation from sun-synchronous be key solutions. In ESA we are testing
poor performance in achieving
orbits and communication from lower the use of ground-based lasers for
debris mitigation in the past and
presence LEO). In other words, the deployment ranging to non-cooperative targets.
of the essential space infrastructure First results are promising.
for our future life will become more
risky and expensive, if not even The incidence of collision alerts
impossible. between two active spacecraft will
14Holger Krag
rise in the future and will become a disposal and more systematic use of and affordable, so that decision-
significant burden. We are working active removal. When this becomes makers and regulators can make use
with industry to propose and develop the routine, we might also see of these tools. We want to raise
solutions that provide safe automation publically funded removal actions on strong and competitive European
of this task. We believe that a good objects that have already stranded suppliers of space traffic management
solution will be used and accepted by years before and are a particular solutions for a global market. A group
spacefarers and could be promoted challenge. of stakeholders convened by ESA
to a de-facto standard. This solution has shaped a new initiative called
can be owned and operated by private But we should also think even one step PROTECT that defines ambitious goals
companies. To me it does not look further. Space systems that can be re- for Europe in the area of space traffic
likely that a publically-controlled space used don’t need to be removed. I believe management. ESA is willing to fulfill
management system for maneuver we might indeed witness what we call its role to achieve these widely shared
coordination will emerge quickly. It a “circular economy in space”, in which goals, jointly with member states, the
could well be that we see industrial spacecraft are refueled and repaired. European Commission, Industry and
customer-oriented solutions much The associated in-orbit servicing all other stakeholders. In this context,
earlier. When they offer a pragmatic actions have a high commercial value. the achievements of the Space Safety
service it will attract the spacefaring They might start out with more simple Programme could play a meaningful
community and establish a de-facto services, such as life-time extension role and future efforts could be steered
standard. A good working standard is and re-positioning. However, they could to meet the European goals of a
then often adapted later by regulators. go as far as in-orbit manufacturing and strong role in the area of Space Traffic
The necessary “rules of the roads” recycling one day. Management.
could then emerge from working
practice. What role do you expect ESA to play in Of course, a very important additional
driving these developments? role of ESA, as a spacefarer. is to act as
Finally, I hope to the see zero debris The role of a public technical agency a role model for others, by ambitiously
principles established, which should like ESA is to make sure that the paving the way for new technologies
stipulate the use of the technology technology required to master all these and using them for the benefit of the
introduced before for more fail-safe challenges is available, demonstrated space environment.
15 GMV NEWS 82AERONAUTICS
16AERONAUTICS
GMV primes the
contract to define a
new EGNSS service
for drones
A GMV-led consortium is carrying out the European
Commission’s EUGENE (European GNSS Service for UAS)
project
he use of drones or, conducive to correct working of
T more properly speaking,
Unmanned Aircraft
the various U-space services
designed for medium-risk operations.
Systems (UASs) is soaring This is so because many of them
nowadays. Under current European will be based on UAS positioning,
regulation the various types of UAS such as tracking, traffic-information or
and U-space service operations are conflict-resolution services.
being phased in progressively in
accordance with their respective risk The project will define the
level. requirements, provision scheme and
UAS EGNSS service implementation
The GMV-led consortium, including plan. Also factored in will be
also the companies ESSP, VVA and integration with the services currently
Unifly, are carrying out the European provided by Galileo and EGNOS
Commission’s EUGENE (European programs, as well as any future
GNSS Service for UAS) project, which, upgrades. Furthermore, in order to
kicking off in January this year, aims to analyze possible benefits from an
define Europe’s UAS-orientated GNSS economic point of view, EUGENE’s
services. This will involve carrying outputs will also include a cost-benefit
out medium-risk operations (the analysis of EGNSS implementation.
operational risk can be classed as low,
medium or high after methodologically The EUGENE project, under GMV’s
analyzing risks for ground personnel GNSS leadership and tapping into
and crewed aircraft in the nearby its UAS expertise built up over
vicinity). recent years, means GMV holds onto
pole position in the development
EUGENE will contribute towards of Europe’s drone-orientated GNSS
the European Commission’s goal of programs. EUGENE can be seen a
establishing this service, which, in the continuation of the forerunner EC
future, will be a key factor for use of project in this field: SUGUS, also led by
an onboard drone navigation system. GMV and involving ESSP, Everis, VVA
The UAS EGNSS service will also be and Unifly, ending in 2021.
17 GMV NEWS 82AERONAUTICS
ADM Sevilla 2022
At the beginning of June, a new
edition of the ADM (Aerospace &
Defense Meetings) was held at the
Conferences and Exhibitions Center in
Seville.
Those attending this event were able
to learn first-hand about solutions
in aeronautics, as well as in defense
and security at the GMV stand. Among
them, its latest developments in
systems for intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance (ISR) in the area
of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In
this regard, GMV shared information
on Seeker, one of the unmanned
platforms that it designs and
develops in collaboration with Aurea
Avionics.
In this same area, colleagues from
GMV present at the fair also shared
information on the U-Space family
of products, Dronelocus®, developed
by GMV in order to respond to the
growing volume of civil unmanned
aircraft that will make use of the
airspace in the immediate future.
During the event, the FCC (Flight
Control Computer) flight control
system for the long-range unmanned
tactical aircraft ATLANTE was also
presented; the navigation and
synchronization system for vehicles
of the Armed Forces, ISNAV, which
will equip the VCR 8x8 DRAGON,
and the control unit for the A400-M
crane.
GMV participates in ISUDEF
The International Symposium on applications, avionics and radar GMV took part in the Industrial
Unmanned Systems and the Defence systems and air defense. Special Session Speakers Information,
Industry 2022 (ISUDEF) was held in presenting "Artificial Intelligence
hybrid mode from 30 May to 1 June Researchers presented their solutions Aided GNC for Autonomous Operation
2022. and insights on topics such as of RPAs". This paper tackled current
platform design, AI integration, operational scenarios in which an RPAS
ISUDEF, an international and robotics and autonomous systems to might be used, the new conditions
multidisciplinary symposium, aims to provide groundbreaking solutions to and threats and new Guidance,
address current issues on unmanned the challenges facing the domestic Navigation and Control (GNC) systems
systems and the defense industry defense industry, along with civil using trailblazing data sources and AI
in areas such as air, naval and land applications. algorithms to boost GNC performance.
18AERONAUTICS
GMV participates in the final SAFETERM
flight tests
June 8 saw the final flight tests of remote controller’s control capacity or The aim of the tests conducted in the
the SAFETERM onboard system in the autonomy, establishing alternative experimental station, which proved
ATLAS Experimental Flight Center in and safe landing areas by means of to be a resounding success, was to
Villacarrillo (Jaén). artificial-vision techniques. This is an demonstrate system working in a real
extremely complex task, representing environment, using AERTEC’s TARIS-75
SAFETERM is a European Defence a notable advance on traditional aircraft. Two emergency operation drills
Agency (EDA) project being carried out image-processing technology. were conducted on different ground
by GMV in a consortium with AERTEC; features. The system was shown to
it aims to improve Medium Altitude Among all the possible artificial-vision work properly in real time and was
Long Endurance (MALE) RPAS flight applications, SAFETERM is based on successfully integrated with flight
termination procedures and systems, zone recognition: i.e., ascertaining which control systems, successfully locating
and to explore AI-supported avionics areas appear in the image and where viable flight-termination zones.
system certification procedures. they are located. Another of EDA’s goals
here is to weigh up the challenges of After the flight a hybrid-mode
SAFETERM’s main remit is to boost using AI in aviation. Here is where real workshop was held to present the
the general safety level in managing avionics software and equipment can main results and lessons learned from
emergency situations involving a loss or be developed to evaluate certification the project. There was also an open
degradation of the command and control phases for AI-based onboard systems. discussion on the possible ways of
link, plus other failures. It therefore This will usher in another important converting systems of this type into
allows for safe flight termination aspect of the project: certification- and usable projects in a wide range of real
in the event of any failure of the standardization-support activities. operational systems.
One more edition at the “World ATM Congress”
From June 21 to 23, the "World ATM including: APRESTA, a tool used for and flight validation of PBN procedures
Congress"—a benchmark aeronautical the automatic analysis of ADS-B based on satellite navigation.
event in the national and international performance and detection of GPS
community on air traffic management— interference with ADS-B data; The Civil Air Navigation Service Providers
was held once more at the IFEMA Srx-10i, dual-band GNSS jammer Organization (CANSO) and the Air Traffic
Conference Center in Madrid. detector; Emil, ground inspection Control Association (ATCA) collaborate
system for ILS and VOR radio in the organization of this event that
GMV featured a stand where it presented aids; MagicGEMINI, GNSS system attracts developers, experts, providers
its developments and applications in performance analysis tool; and and other public with interests within the
the field of navigation and surveillance, MagicIFP, a web application for ground management sector of air traffic.
19 GMV NEWS 82SPACE
GMV cements its
pace is getting congested
S and today, active collision
avoidance has become
leadership in collision
a routine task in space
operations, relying on validated,
accurate and timely space surveillance
avoidance operations
data.
In this context, and as part of the
Space Safety Program (S2P), The
automation and European Space Agency (ESA) defined
in 2019 a technological cornerstone
for Collision Risk Estimation and
coordination in
Automated Mitigation (CREAM).
The aim of the CREAM cornerstone is
Europe
the development of technology for
automated collision avoidance to reduce
man-power efforts (experts on 24/7,
extra efforts at ground stations), reduce
the time between manoeuvre decision
GMV plays a decisive role in the three activities launched and close approach, and thereby reduce
the number of false alerts, i.e. cases
under the European Space Agency’s CREAM (Collision Risk
where control teams start an avoidance
Estimation and Automated Mitigation), priming two of them manoeuvre preparation which in the
20SPACE
end turns out to be unnecessary as validated with historic conjunction concept of collision avoidance
updated data indicate a low collision data from existing collision avoidance operations as well as a tool for
probability. Optimised manoeuvre plans processes. This software shall provide emergency response. Astroscale Ltd
can be uploaded to the spacecraft and the means for autonomous decision in the UK is leading this activity (see
allow late decision taking, which is making based on the use of machine related press release from Astroscale
further enabled with activities for the learning and propose an optimum here) with a very relevant support from
development and testing of emergency collision avoidance manoeuvre. GMV in GMV (from Portugal Romania and UK)
command paths. With the launch of Romania is leading this activity with a and from OneWeb in the UK.
large constellations, conjunctions relevant involvement by GMV NSL in the
between operated spacecraft will UK and Neuraspace from Portugal. The The third and final activity entitled
occur more frequently. The cornerstone development is based on GMV’s autoca “Means for coordination of operators
therefore also encompasses activities to autonomous collision avoidance system, and catalogue providers” will develop
coordinate manoeuvre planning. developed for ESA in the frame of the a coordination platform providing an
ARTES program and finally accepted in information exchange architecture
The European Space Agency has started March 2022. allowing for automated coordination
three activities in the framework of the and resolution of a prospected collision
CREAM program, in which GMV plays a The second activity is devoted to the event between spacecraft operators
key role as the main contractor in two “Development and Testing of Late and space object catalogue maintainers
of them. Commanding Paths and Operations or collision avoidance service providers
Concepts”. The aim of this activity is as well as a simulation environment for
The first one aims at the definition to develop and test concepts for late performance evaluation. GMV in Romania
of “Automated avoidance manoeuvre commanding paths which allow for is leading this activity counting on UPB
decisions and design”. In the frame late decisions in collision avoidance from Romania, Solenix from Switzerland
of this activity, a prototype software processes. Such a mechanism should and Iguassu from the Czech Republic
is to be implemented, tested, and be considered as part of the nominal as subcontractors.
21 GMV NEWS 82SPACE
GMV provides core software for German
Armed Forces’ SSA Center
characterization, SST data simulation, SST
data pre-processing, visualization, and
more.
On top of GMV’s software, OHB DC
will add an operational layer, providing
interoperability to the system.
Additionally, Atos will integrate
the various software and hardware
components into the solution, creating
interfaces with external sensors and
ensuring the operational performance of
the overall system.
With this new project, GMV strengthens
its position as European industrial leader
in Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and
Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST). It
also reinforces GMV’s footprint in Germany,
The German Federal Office of the situation in space and protect critical following the awarding of two relevant
Bundeswehr Equipment, Information German infrastructure in orbit. contracts in 2021 by the German Space
Technology and In-Service Support Agency at DLR for the German Space
(BAAINBw) has recently awarded a The system will be based on GMV’s Situational Awareness Center (GSSAC),
contract to Atos and OHB DC to supply the state-of-the-art COTS software for Space also located in Uedem. The purpose of
"Space Situational Awareness Center Surveillance and Tracking (SST) as the core these contracts is to implement advanced
Expansion Stage 1" (Weltraumlagezentrum, processing infrastructure. This includes SST data processing algorithms (BaSSTDa)
WRLageZ, Ausbaustufe 1) to the the most relevant SST capabilities and for the development of the future EU SST
German Federal Armed Forces. This functionalities: object cataloging, sensor catalog (under German responsibility) and
system, located in Uedem, will enable tasking, collision avoidance, re-entry for maintaining and upgrading the GSSAC
the German Armed Forces to monitor prediction, fragmentation detection and Mission System (GMS).
GMV holds the EUSTM technical workshop
On May 12, after months of COVID the EUSTM partners, which later space sustainable in such domains as in-
restrictions, the EUSTM team was culminated in a team-building dinner. orbit servicing, refueling and de-orbiting
finally able to meet up for a technical satellites.
workshop and discuss technology Professionals from various organizations
breakthroughs and progress made in and the EUSTM consortium presented Technical workshops like this play an
the development of European STM and discussed technology essential to important role in defining the future
capabilities. developing future European STM. capabilities of a European STM as several
stakeholders from the industry as well
The technical workshop was Various organizations such as GMV, as the government participated in the
organized by GMV and SpaceTec SDS, ADS, KRATOS, ClearSpace, D-Orbit, workshop to swap notes on the best way
Partners on GMV’s Madrid site. Work- Astroscale, NorthStar, ONERA, FHR, of developing the potential of various
package leaders were invited to the LeoLabs, AIUB, ESA, 6ROADS, Numerica, technologies and the extent to which
workshop site while stakeholders OKAPI and, COMSPOC showcased their they might prove to be useful in the
and the rest of the team participated expertise and presented their work future. This in turn will allow the various
remotely. The workshop lasted for in pursuit of the European goal of stakeholders to converge on a specific
a full day with many interesting developing STM capabilities. Commercial approach and move forward with the goal
presentations and discussions from companies presented their work to make of developing European STM capabilities.
22SPACE
Collision risk analysis and avoidance
maneuver calculation software for EU
SST users
GMV European industry leader in collision avoidance service with their monitoring statistics regarding the
space surveillance – Space Situational own conjunction analysis capability, as conjunction service.
Awareness (SSA has been awarded a it will also be deployed in their control
new contract by the Centre for the centers. In addition to the collision messages
Development of Industrial Technology that the S3TOC and the French center
(CDTI) to develop software for CONAN will receive messages (COO) publish on the EU SST web portal,
advanced collision risk analysis and containing conjunction data for each CONAN will also be able to import
avoidance maneuver calculation for operator’s satellites directly from the messages issued by the equivalent
European satellite operators EU SST web portal for analysis. (The American system (18-SDS, formerly
subscribed to the EU SST system’s general purpose of this web portal known as JSpOC). This will allow
collision avoidance service. is the provision of EU SST services.) operators to compare the information
It will also make it possible to published by both sources in order to
The new software, called CONAN analyze the collision risk calculation’s make the most appropriate decision in
(CONjunction ANalysis Software), will sensitivity to uncertainties in the each case.
have a dual purpose: first, to increase orbits of the objects involved. Finally,
the capabilities and improve the it will provide the optimal avoidance The CONAN software is a new
response times of the S3TOC (Spanish maneuver for high-risk cases, also development based largely on Closeap,
Space Surveillance and Tracking analyzing the effect of the maneuver GMV’s solution for collision risk
Operations Centre) and secondly, to on other possible subsequent calculation, part of the FocusSuite®
provide European satellite operators conjunctions with the same or other product line for flight dynamics
subscribed to the EU SST system’s objects. It will also feature a panel for operations, also used within the S3TOC.
23 GMV NEWS 82SPACE
The world’s
top space
surveillance
experts visit
GMV’s site
rom April 4 to 6, renowned
F space surveillance experts
came together at GMV's
Tres Cantos site in Madrid
to address a wide range of issues
GMV hosted the 3rd Conference on Space Situational relating to the detection, identification,
prediction, tracking, removal and
Awareness (ICSSA) organized by the International disposal of space debris.
Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the American
ICSSA, a 3-day conference and
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) international marquee event, comprised
TESTIMONIALS
“The ICSSA was a valuable gathering of global experts “The conference was really great, giving to the participants
focused on the technical issues related to space situational the opportunity to share their research with colleagues. I
awareness (SSA). The collaborative environment prompted a received several suggestions that will help me to improve my
variety of off-line discussions that epitomized the need for research!”. Antonio Prado. INPE
joint efforts that spanned measurement modalities, national
borders, and stakeholder domains. I personally initiated five “ICSSA 2022 provided an enriching platform to present our
potential cooperative projects spanning strategic optical/radar research work to the SSA community. ICSSA gave a great
studies, conjunction mapping database utility investigations, opportunity to share and learn from innovative work by
and collision hazard assessment methodology exchanges”. various research scholars from around the world. Many
Darren McKnight. LeoLabs Thanks to the organising team of ICSSA 2022”. Shivshankar
Sivaraman. Indian Institute of Science
“Excellent rendezvous of our little family, superbly organized
by GMV! Great discussions over detailed SSA challenges, very "ICSSA 2022 gave us a wonderful opportunity to meet
enriching. IAA-ICSSA has now become a classic reference with experts in space situational awareness from all over the
a bright future ahead, unfortunately as long as we’ll have world and learn about different ideas and initiatives to
such space traffic problems”. Christophe Bonnal. CNES overcome the rapidly emerging problem of space debris. It
24SPACE
several panel-based sessions dealing important as the US Space Force, technology institutes from the five
with the general issues of orbit Europe’s ESA, the Spanish Industrial continents.
determination and prediction, cataloging Technology Development Center (CDTI
and correlation, monitoring and sensor in Spanish initials), France’s space In keeping with is benchmark status in
planning, assessment of collision and agency CNES, GB’s UKSA, Romania’s this area, GMV personnel offered five
reentry risks, satellite control and RoSA and Brazil’s INPE, among papers focusing on issues of the utmost
evasion maneuvers, orbit proximity others. Industry also weighed in with interest such as object cataloging, the
operations, elimination of space debris participation by LeoLabs, COMSPOC detection and estimation of satellite
and data governance and policy. Present Corporation, Astroscale, OKAPI, TNO, maneuvers, collision avoidance, sensor
on these panels were representatives Surrey Satellite Technology, among planning and onboard satellite space-
from space agencies and bodies as others, plus university researchers and debris detection systems.
also provided a platform for us to share our innovative “ICSSA 2022 was definitely a very interesting conference
concept of mitigation of space debris from an Australian for all aspects related to SSA. Well organized in detail
perspective with the use of a proposed network of mobile beyond any expectation, it was attended by several young
observatories. We hope to join the 4th conference and be people, ready and prepared to address the issues discussed
part of this global initiative to make the space around Earth during the event. Also noteworthy were the keynote
a safer place for our future generations". Muhammad Akbar lectures, which provided important information on the
Hussain. Mareekh Dynamics state of the art in various areas of SSA. Special thanks are
due to the very excellent hospitality by GMV, and to Katie
“I think that ICSSA 2022 was a great success. There were for her incomparable kindness and ability to coordinate
many high-quality papers covering many SSA themes. all aspects of organization". Carmen Pardini, Space Flight
It was nice to see many students and other young Dynamics Laboratory
participants at the conference. Most of the student
papers were very good. The conference organizers did a “After a long pandemic break, meeting leading experts in
marvellous job, and we are all grateful to GMV for making SSA in Madrid was awesome! For GMV it was a pleasure
their facilities available for the conference". Prof. Arun to host nearly 100 leading SSA experts from all round the
Misra. Mcgill University world”. Alberto Águeda Maté. GMV
25 GMV NEWS 82SPACE
Power Conditioning and Distribution
Unit for launcher reusability
this activity, GMV has been asked
to put in place all necessary steps
to reach a first important milestone
towards the final MPU, the Themis
PCDU. The Themis PCDU will be
designed with the objective to be
integrated in Themis T1H (Themis
1-engine Hop test) hop-tests.
This new PCDU will present as main
functions the possibility of distributing
power to relevant equipment
with independent buses, providing
housekeeping monitoring’s (voltage,
current, temperature).
Several features are derived from
the main functionalities, such as:
Activation and turn on/off the
The European Space Agency has offer a variety of launch services equipment; control inductive loads like
awarded GMV a contract for the design, and for contributing to a more solenoid valves, using PWM control;
manufacturing and qualification of a eco-responsible space launcher sector. regulate equipment voltages; ensure
Power Conditioning and Distribution current limitation; safety: no failure
Unit (PCDU) EQM in order to The Themis PCDU will follow Themis propagation and high voltage interlock;
demonstrate its readiness for prototype in its incremental logic. A modular, configurable, and affordable
integration on Themis TH1 prototype. Modular Power Unit (MPU) is foreseen to be able to be integrated on a
to be integrated in Themis T3 (Themis demonstrator which is incrementally
Themis reusable first stage 3-engine flight test) reusable first developed.
demonstrator is considered as a stage demonstrator. The MPU concept
flying test-bench opportunity to will push towards a modular power Design phase will be followed by unit
demonstrate some of key enabling architecture of the avionics functional manufacturing and a test campaign to
and promising capabilities within chains, allowing the integration of verify the functional performance of
the Future Space Transportation avionics Components-Off-The-Shelf the unit, as well as an environmental
technologies maturation roadmap for with different power characteristics, verification to guarantee Themis
lowering the cost of access to space, to lower the recurring costs of future PCDU hardening towards Themis
for increasing Europe’s flexibility to European launchers. In the frame of environment.
GMV shares its space-data system expertise at DASIA
In mid May GMV took part in the latest two papers together with other operation and maintenance of data
international conference on space sector professionals: The two papers processing components for space
systems engineering, DASIA (Data presented by GMV dealt with “Artificial and aeronautical command and
Systems In Aerospace). Intelligence Techniques in Onboard control applications, as well as other
Avionics and Software” and “In-Orbit sectors that share the same features
DASIA is a yearly conference that has Space-Based Surveillance System by of great reliability and complexity.
been held by Eurospace since 1996. high-performance computer-vision GMV is delighted to take part in
Its remit is to bring together space algorithms and dedicated HW avionics”. this event that attracts top-level
data systems specialists for 3 days participation from the space industry,
of networking. DASIA 2022 was held DASIA addresses technical and universities, space agencies and
online; GMV representatives presented managerial aspects of the development, institutions.
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