Design of a Spacecraft Pose Estimation System Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Performing crucial activities for space exploration, e.g., debris removal and on-orbit servicing, systems for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) are required to be autonomous and scalable. Within this context, learning-based relative navigation has gained significant traction due to the latest advancements in AI and the cost-effectiveness...

IN-situ Debris Inventorisation near the Geostationary Orbit (INDIGO): a feasibility study

Recent launches of satellite constellations in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) region have increased the collision probability of existing debris objects with active satellites. Monitoring the trajectories of these debris objects is crucial for Space Situational Awareness (SSA) to prevent the creation of more debris due to unwanted collisions. Much...

Collision Avoidance with Collaboration between Operators

Space debris has become a rising problem in the aerospace community, leading to the need for effective spacecraft collision avoidance processes. Currently, these processes can be called unilateral as only one object in conjunction is considered maneuverable. This thesis focuses on the implementation of a combined action approach to collision...

Reconstructing the attitude of the GRACE-FO mission based on fusion of star sensor, gyroscope and steering mirror data

On May 22, 2018, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On (GRACE-FO) mission was launched with the goal to map the spatiotemporal variations in the Earth's gravity field and to extend the 15-year monthly mass change observations of its predecessor, the GRACE mission. Similarly to GRACE, the measurement principle of GRACE-FO is based...

Propulsive abort trajectory options for a reconnaissance human Mars mission

For a human Mars exploration mission, it is required to minimize the time-of-flight of the interplanetary trajectories to mitigate the adverse effects of the radiation environment and prolonged weightlessness conditions on the health of the crew. Moreover, having a fail-safe provision to return the crew back to Earth in case of a mission abort...

Ganymede: A Frozen Enigma: Exploring possible internal density distributions through gravitational potential field variations

In 2022, ESA plans to launch the JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) mission which will spend at least three years making detailed observations of Jupiter and three of its largest moons, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. These moons are currently a hot topic within the science community as their interiors might include oceans consisting of liquid...

Cryosat-2 Interferometric SAR Altimetry

Cryosat-2 altimetry helps to assess the state of the Cryosphere by measuring elevation and elevation change. The SARIn mode of the Cryosat-2 SIRAL instrument is specifically designed for rough topography that we encounter near ice sheet margins. Various SARIn data products (Full Bit Rate (FBR), Level 1b and Level 2) are provided by ESA, where...

Asteroid characterization through serendipitous detection by the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope

The interest in asteroids is increasing, due to their promising clues on the origin of the Solar System, e.g. their albedos and sizes can provide insight into the protosolar nebula. The new scientific mission scheduled to launch in 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), provides an opportunity for observation of asteroids. In this thesis,...

Improvement of the instrumental model for the MICROSCOPE space mission

The Equivalence Principle is today challenged by some theories attempting to unify General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. The MICROSCOPE mission thus intents to confirm or overturn this principle by testing the universality of free fall in space with an unrivaled precision objective of 10^-15. The principle of the test relies on the precise...

Initial characterization of the Alternative Low Power Hybrid Ion Engine (ALPHIE) plume

This report describes the work performed on the experimental setup and initial characterization of the Alternative Low Power Hybrid Ion Engine (ALPHIE) plume performed at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) Plasma Laboratory. First, a general background of plasma thrusters is presented, followed by a review of relevant plasma parameters...