ClearSpace will use Minority Report technology from EPFL

ClearSpace will use Minority Report technology from EPFL

Satellites are open to attack. All communications systems are vulnerable to hackers by definition, and are protected accordingly, with hardware and software. However, because they reside outside the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere, satellites are perhaps exposed to the mightiest and most unpredictable hacker of all: the Sun.

“The Sun’s radiation can affect the data being processed in any system in Space,” explains Rubén Rodriguez Álvarez, a doctoral assistant at ESL, the Embedded Systems Lab of Prof. David Atienza. “The radiation causes bits to flip, so your data is polluted with interference, and you might not even know that this is happening.”

All traditional computing systems use binary logic: bits of binary values of 1 or 0, stored as electrical charges. If any process randomly changes the value of your bits, your data is corrupt. The knee-jerk reaction to protect a system from radiation would be to install reflective shields, but this is exactly the kind of heavy-duty solution that satellite engineers are keen to avoid.

“An idea from my colleague, Dr. Miguel Peón-Quirós, seemed to provide a better way: using a software solution that had been pioneered by another researcher in our lab,” explained Rodríguez. “Miguel suggested using Flavio’s technology as a solution to the problem of radiation interference without an increase in overhead, either of hardware or software.”

The Flavio mentioned above is Dr. Flavio Ponzina, recently graduated from ESL, and now a Postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, San Diego. “E2CNN is a technique where we take a neural network, prune it carefully, and then send multiple copies of it down separate channels,” explains Ponzina. “We send the same neural network of data through multiple channels, for the sake of redundancy. If radiation, or any other kind of interference, affects the information in one of these channels, the other ones will be given credibility over the one with the corrupt data.”

6DoF or six degrees of freedom: translations (sliding movements) around the three geometric axes: x, y and z; and rotations around the same three axes

A satellite’s positional data is usually processed as 6DoF. This complex data is compiled from sensor data and stored in a dynamic model: a convolutional neural network, or CNN, developed by the Computer Vision Lab (CVLab) of EPFL. Video data from the satellite’s optical sensors is also stored in CNNs.

Sending these neural networks of data down multiple separate processor channels means that even if one of these channels is hit by a burst of radiation, the version reported over the other channels will outvote the minority version. Those familiar with Philip K. Dick’s The Minority Report, or the movie based on it, might recognize the concept.

 

Precogs from the movie Minority Report © Dreamworks

 

“We use an intelligent method to prune the neural network before we send it down separate channels, to reduce the size of the model,” explains Ponzina. “This means that, even though we send it down multiple channels, there is no increase in processing demands. But there is actually an increase in accuracy of 5%, even without radiation interference! If we simulate radiation interference, accuracy goes up by 9%.”

For some time this technology has been known to ClearSpace, the EPFL spin-off that intends to launch satellites to remove Space debris from Earth’s orbit. ClearSpace-1 will take off some time in the next few years, using the protective system described

Now that Ponzina has left EPFL, it is Rodríguez who is continuing the project, implementing the software on FPGAs – Field Programmable Gate Arrays, a technology uniquely suited to this kind of application. FPGAs are modular chips: processors that can change shape according to the requirements of the application. In this case, they adapt wonderfully well to the sending of neural networks down multiple parallel channels.

Dr. Jacques Viertl of ClearSpace is clear on the benefits of this system: “We asked for an implementation on FPGAs because of the redundancy they offer. Whenever you deal with images there is a trade-off between quality and overhead, but in the case of the visual recognition of targets by ClearSpace-1, the processing of the information will be protected by the multiple channels being used, at no extra cost in processing power.

Viertl had worked at the EPFL Space Center, who supported this initiative. “The connection between ClearSpace and EPFL is really strong,” explains Viertl. “To us, student projects mean a supply of youthful energy, fresh ideas, and technology transfer.

“It is more often we who are asking for student collaboration, than the other way around. The fact is, it is extremely difficult to find engineers in the domain of FPGAs. We spoke to one student, recently, who told us that we were one of seven companies offering them a placement!”

Prof. David Atienza, director of the Embedded Systems Lab, joined the four scientists mentioned above, in collaboration with other scientists from EPFL and the University of California San Diego, in authoring a paper which was presented at SPAICE 2024, and is now published in NASA’s proceedings:

Using ensemble learning to improve radiation tolerance of CNNs in space applications
Flavio Ponzina, Rubén Rodríguez Álvarez, José Miranda Calero, Mathieu Salzmann, Jacques Viertl, Tajana Rosing, Miguel Peón-Quirós, David Atienza

“For ESL-EPFL and EcoCloud this collaboration was very important to make sure the research we do in edge AI and smart embedded systems can be applied to the context of space technology,” explains Atienza. “In particular, ClearSpace had a great understanding of the constraints of the final system, and it helped us tune all the AI/ML algorithms and system performance accordingly to meet such constraints. I also think it is really beneficial for our researchers to see that the research they do can be applied to the real world only if we work with companies like ClearSpace that work on the deployment of the final aerospace systems.”

These are exciting times: science fiction is quickly being outpaced by reality, established technology companies are looking to the youngest engineers for skill and inspiration, and our labs keep finding ways to solve the toughest problems – like how to stop the Sun from flipping our bits.

Funding for this initiative was provided by Innosuisse, through the project Impulse-SpaceRelNav: Relative Navigation technologies for Failed Satellite Removal

The sun's rays beat down on Proba-1, the first target for ClearSpace-1
The sun’s rays beat down on Proba-1, the first target for ClearSpace-1 © ClearSpace – All Rights Reserved

Beyond Gravity is hiring

Our member Beyond Gravity is hiring!

Great job opportunities in Switzerland for the space sector, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Aerospace Job Fair

Embark on an aerospace adventure at the “Aerospace Job Fair”. May 22, 2024.

Professionals from backgrounds in engineering, science, IT, finance, law, HR, communication and facility management are needed for the growing space sector. Are you a bachelor or master student interested in the space field?

Join the Aerospace Job Fair and use the opportunity to talk to different companies.

MINT Vaud 2024

A first in French-speaking Switzerland, MINT Vaud is a fun, interactive fair designed to get children and teenagers in grades 5-8 (8-12) excited about mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (MINT). We will be there for its first edition that will take place from February 26 to March 3, 2024.

eSpace Seminar

USSF-MIT researchers present their work : AI Technologies and simulation tools for SSA – Space Sustainability and Policy. Join the online seminar on January 24, 16:15-17:15 CET.

Space Innovation Annual Assembly

The next Space Innovation Annual Assembly will take place on Tuesday February 6th at 14:00 at EMPA.

The meeting will include a review of the activities of Space Innovation, a message from the Steering Committee, as well as presentations from members. It will be followed by a networking aperitif.

Optional Visit of EMPA from 11:00 to 12:00

Note that this year the Annual Assembly will be for members only.

EPFL Space Center – 20 years Celebration

Join us for a celebration of 20 years of the EPFL Space Center on December 7th @6.30pm-9.00pm ! Since 2003, we have sent a CubeSat into space, hosted and launched startups such as ClearSpace and the Space Sustainability Rating, guided student teams to win international competitions and to send a computer into space, and awarded a Minor in Space Technologies to over 400 students! And that’s just a few of the many space activities that have taken place at EPFL.

CSEM Photonic Day – December 6, 2023

Learn more about the latest technology trends in photonics, new market opportunities, CSEM photonics technologies and gain insight on the strategic road map of the EU in the field of photonics!

ESA and Swatch: a stellar partnership

A new collaboration between ESA and Swiss watchmaker Swatch allows space fans to design their own space-themed watch using stunning images from space telescopes.

9T Labs to Host the Composites United Innovation Day Event in Zürich

9T Labs AG, a pioneering force in digital, automated, and cost-efficient serial production of continuous fiber components, will host Composites United Innovation Day on September 21, 2023, at its headquarter in Zürich, Switzerland. The event will focus on the theme of “Innovation through Collaboration,” and will feature presentations and discussions from leading experts in the composites industry.

Conference: Thomas Zurbuchen

“Aiming High: The Story of the James Webb Space Telescope and How it is Changing our View of the Universe”

Tuesday, July 11th 2023, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
EPFL Polydôme Auditorium
Registration

Thomas Zurbuchen is the longest continually running Head of Science at NASA from 2016 to 2022. Previously Professor for Space Science and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan. Also founder of the largest Entrepreneurship programme at American Universities – the Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship – and a member of the international Academy of Astronautics.

Programme
5:45 pm Doors open
6:00 pm Welcome Address, Martin Vetterli, President of EPFL
6:10 pm Conference, “Aiming High: The Story of the James Webb Space Telescope and How it is Changing our View of the Universe”, Thomas Zurbuchen, Astrophysicist
6:40 pm Q&A Moderated by: Julie Böhning, Co-founder, Gruyère Space Program
7:00 pm Closing remarks, Aude Pugin, CEO, APCO Technologies
7:05 pm Cocktail
8:00 pm End of the event

Newsletter April 2023

Upcoming events | Call for abstracts | News from our members. Subscribe to get our latest news!

CYSAT 2023 – APRIL 26-27, 2023

The biggest European event entirely dedicated to Cybersecurity for the space industry, organized by CYSEC, will take place in Paris on April 26-27th, 2023.

Today, many critical services on Earth depend on the collection and transmission of data by satellites. According to Allied Market Research, downstream services relying on satellite data will represent a $19,36B market by 2027 at a CAGR of 19,1%.

Ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of space data against cyber threats is a new challenge as satellites have historically been designed to be reliable and not secure.

In addition, recent trends such as software-defined satellites, usage of COTS components, in-orbit reconfiguration, intelligence on board, quantum technologies, etc are making space assets and data more and more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

CYSAT aims at bringing together the space and IT security communities to build a European ecosystem capable to respond to the current and future challenges faced by the European space industry.

Space Community Days Switzerland – April 25-26, 2023

Challenges and opportunities in the space field. Practical and useful information for space industries and newcomers in the domain.

! This event is dedicated to Swiss organisations with invited international speakers !

The event will be held at BernExpo on April 25-26 and will offer:

  • Presentations over 2 days: the agenda might be subject to minor changes.
  • Physical Face-2-Face meeting sessions

The Space Community Days 2023 offer a platform to exchange experiences and to support cooperation. This is a great opportunity to listen to prominent speakers involving ESA program managers, representatives of Swiss companies and of the Large European System Integrators.

The event is intended to be an occasion to meet again after the pandemic, and to learn about future opportunities in select ESA programmes. The community days will also be the occasion to improve the dialogue between space science and industry through dedicated sessions. The event focuses on specific and select tangible opportunities for Swiss entities, namely for SME’s.

In the afternoon of the first Day, we have the pleasure to welcome Prof. Masaki Fujimoto, Deputy Director General at JAXA for a keynote presentation on Hayabusa2. This will open a session fostering the “dialogue between space science and space industries” organised together with ISSI Bern and the NCCR PlanetS.

To encourage further networking and extend the discussions we are pleased to invite you to a Gala Dinner on Tuesday evening at the Kornhauskeller in Bern – Don’t miss this exclusive moment of conviviality!

The second day is dedicated to the presentation of new ESA e-tools and national support initiatives. A session on AI for space will be organised in the afternoon.

You can optimise your attendance by using this platform in order to book your B2B meetings with other participants, including the speakers, at your convenience.

Newsletter February 2023

Events | Call for abstracts | Call for ideas | News from our members. Subscribe to get our latest news!

Annual Assembly

24 January 2023, EPFL Lausanne. The meeting will include a review of the activities of Space Innovation, a message from the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee, as well as presentations from members. It will be followed by a networking aperitif. Check out the webpage!

Newsletter December 2022

News from our partners | Past and Upcoming events | Annual Assembly. Subscribe to get our latest news!

Café des Sciences: Space Exploration and Sustainability – November 25, 2022

Outer space has become an increasingly important resource for the Earth. Thousands of satellites orbit the Earth, providing social, scientific, and economic benefits to people on the ground. However, the rapid growth in the space industry poses challenges to space sustainability, which call for international collaborations. Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib, Director, EPFL Laboratory of Astrophysics & EPFL Space Center (Space), will first share his perspectives on the current space industry and his research on sustainable space logistics, followed by Prof. Dr. Shufan WU, Executive Vice Dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, who will share his insights on how space science and technologies contributed to the SDG goals and the general SDG development in China.

Switzerland & Italy : Together in Space – December 15, 2022

The Italian government has established the National Day of Space on December 16. On the day before, in 1964, Italy launched the S. Marco 1 satellite, becoming the third country to have space capabilities.

In order to celebrate the third edition of the Italian National Day of Space in Switzerland, the Italian Embassy in Bern and EPFL organise a public event which brings together Swiss and Italian astronauts and Space Agencies, large space companies and university spin-offs.

eSpace Webinar – Nov. 14th, 16h00 – Solar System Objects (SSOs) Pipeline for the Euclid Mission

On November 14th, 16:00-17:00, webinar : Solar System Objects (SSOs) Pipeline for the Euclid Mission, by Aurelien Verdier. During this webinar, you will see how a pipeline for a spatial mission at ESA is developed, from the definition of the goal to the implementation, and all the challenges we had to face. The talk will focus on asteroid detection (SSOs), where they are, and why we need to detect them, but also on the Euclid mission. The presentation will be concluded with an overview of the experience gained during two years through the YGT program, technically but also humanly.

Funding for Swiss Space Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

On the 6th of December 2022, 16:30 – 18:00, the Innovation Office of the University of Bern in collaboration with Euresearch and ESA BIC Switzerland are organising an event to present an overview of funding and support opportunities for space research and business in Switzerland.

Newsletter October 2022

Upcoming events | News from our partners | Call for startups | Members Profiles. Subscribe to get our latest news!

4th CASSINI Hackathon: EU Space Data for the Financial World

Taking place between the 4-6th November 2022, “Space for the Financial World” will be held online and in-person at 10 locations in Europe. In Switzerland, the event will be hosted by Space4Impact in Zürich. This is an exciting opportunity for participants, with prizes to support the development of the winning pitches.

Precision Mechanisms & Structures Interest Group

PRECISION MECHANISMS & STRUCTURES INTEREST GROUP

roundtable.

Precision Mechanisms & Structures Interest Group

Roundtable

12 October 2022 at 17.00-20.30 CEST

Location: FHNW Olten

Open to the Space Innovation Members

After two years of online meetings, we have the pleasure to announce a new edition of our roundtable related to precision mechanisms and structures for space applications. We look forward to gathering the community in presence once again. The roundtable will start with presentations and will be followed by a networking aperitif.

Lionel Gaillard, Head of the Mechanisms Section ESA/ESTEC, will attend and present current ESA’s Mechanisms status and needs.

For organizational purposes, registration is  mandatory on the following link:

We will keep you informed of the room number. There will be no web broadcasting.

If your company is not a member yet, check out how to become a member.

Please do not hesitate to contact Gilles Feusier if you have any questions: gilles.feusier@epfl.ch

New Call for Ideas open

Space Innovation is initiating a new Call for Ideas to foster low Technology Readiness Level (typically TRL 1-2) research and development studies related to space activities.

Newsletter July 2022

Roundtable | News from our members | Space exploration | Events. Subscribe to get our latest news!

CAS Systems Engineering for Smart Industries

You can still register for the CAS Systems Engineering training starting in August! It offers advanced training in complex system description, development and verification for engineers. At the same time, it prepares engineers for leading roles within increasingly interdisciplinary and complex system tasks.

ExoLabs is looking for a Geo Data Scientist / Engineer

Join the team of ExoLabs (exolabs.ch), a dynamic company specialized in the development of remote sensing solutions. ExoLabs is a spin-off of the University of Zürich, founded in 2017.
You will be involved in the exploration and testing of new technological solutions that leverage spatial data to solve problems of public administrations. The objective is to identify new services or to optimize existing processes in public administrations in areas such as land management, environmental monitoring, or statistics.

ESA’s Industry Space Days

Join prospective customers and partners at ESA’s Industry Space Days for two days of intense networking on 28 – 29 September. Do not forget to register now to meet members of the European space community at ESA/ESTEC (Noordwijk, The Netherlands), showcase products and services in an industry exhibition and listen to presentations by ESA top-level management about future business opportunities.

Newsletter May 2022

Space exploration | Upcoming events | Training. Subscribe to get our latest news!

SWISS SPACE WEEK 2022

28 March – 1 April, EPFL, Lausanne. SATW and its partners offer you a special week dedicated to space. Join us to discover the actors who contribute to make Switzerland a space nation. The global space industry is booming. Half a century after the first space race that led mankind to set foot on the Moon, new public and private actors are redoubling their energy and innovation to explore, understand and use space. This new era opens up tremendous opportunities but also presents many challenges. How does space contribute to improving our life on Earth and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? What role does Switzerland play? Find out from March 28 to April 1.

LEGENDS OF SPACE

18-19 March 2022, SwissTech Convention Center, Lausanne.  Take an incredible journey through the past, current, and future of human space flight and space exploration, as we tell the continuing story of humankind’s greatest adventure. From the APOLLO program through to present day NASA and global space agencies commitment to landing humans including the first woman, and the next man on the Moon by the mid 2020’s via the ARTEMIS program, establishing sustainable missions by the end of the decade, and to the next giant leap for all humanity – sending humans to Mars. An unprecedented live event experience, this is LEGENDS OF SPACE.

Newsletter February 2022

News from our members | Former student success story SanoSat-1 into SSO orbit | Overview of our members. Subscribe to get our latest news!

Newsletter December 2021

Successful Annual Assembly | Welcome to our five new members | Open calls and opportunities at ESA. Subscribe to get our latest news!

Successful Annual Assembly 2021

We warmly thank all those who came to our Annual Assembly 2021 on Wednesday 8 December at EPFL. It was a successful edition and we look forward to future projects with the space community! If you couldn’t join us on site, we invite you to watch the video recording here.

Newsletter November 2021

Webinar by Kistler on on electric motor testing for aerospace application | Register to our Annual Assembly on Wednesday 8 December 2021. Subscribe to get our latest news!