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Spoke 2 topics overview
Space Weather Effects on Space Missions
This research topic focuses on the study and mitigation of space weather effects on space systems, including radiation, solar wind, space debris, and other environmental hazards affecting spacecraft, satellites, and ETH assets. This includes modeling of environmental interactions, prediction of space weather events, and assessment of impacts on spacecraft subsystems such as propulsion, materials, and communication systems.
The research combines numerical simulations, DT-based predictive models, and AI-driven analysis to forecast the operational impact of space weather and support robust system design. VR and visualization tools are employed to represent complex environmental conditions and their effects on mission operations. This line ensures that Italian space missions can operate reliably in harsh environments while contributing to global knowledge on space weather phenomena.
By integrating space weather research with other Spoke 2 activities, the project strengthens the resilience, safety, and performance of future space missions, supporting both scientific and industrial objectives.
Research activities Details
Publications
2025
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2025
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Spoke 1 - Enabling Technologies for novel near-earth and exploration missions
Spoke 1 encompasses a broad and integrated set of research and management activities dedicated to the advancement of next-generation space systems. Its structure is organized in four technical work packages supported by a comprehensive management layer, which ensures consistent coordination, quality, and impact across all developments.
The technical activities address three major domains. The first focuses on very-low Earth orbit platforms, where the partners investigate advanced materials for harsh environments, air-breathing propulsion concepts, multidisciplinary modelling of system–environment interactions, and optimal orbit–attitude control strategies. These efforts aim to enable sustainable operations in VLEO, improve protection from aerodynamic and radiation effects, and develop reliable propulsion and GNC solutions.
The technical activities address three major domains. The first focuses on very-low Earth orbit platforms, where the partners investigate advanced materials for harsh environments, air-breathing propulsion concepts, multidisciplinary modelling of system–environment interactions, and optimal orbit–attitude control strategies. These efforts aim to enable sustainable operations in VLEO, improve protection from aerodynamic and radiation effects, and develop reliable propulsion and GNC solutions.The second domain concerns distributed space systems, including formation flying, in-orbit servicing, autonomous coordination, and advanced onboard and on-ground data processing. Work spans from low-TRL GNC algorithms and health-monitoring concepts to enabling technologies such as inter-satellite links, high-efficiency communication, power systems, and novel propulsion concepts. The goal is to support robust coordination, enhance mission autonomy, and develop architectures for future multi-satellite systems.
The third domain focuses on deep-space exploration with miniaturised platforms, addressing autonomy in spacecraft operations, in-situ resource utilization, radiation-tolerant subsystems, and enabling technologies for small deep-space probes. Research covers new materials, advanced avionics, thermal protection, communication architectures, and innovative propulsion systems, with the aim of increasing platform resilience and mission capability in demanding deep-space environments.
These scientific and technological developments are supported by a dedicated work package on procurement, laboratory infrastructure, and external services, which provides the experimental facilities required to validate materials, propulsion concepts, GNC techniques, and on-board processing technologies. This includes the acquisition and setup of vacuum chambers, test benches, high-performance computing equipment, motion-tracking facilities, and hardware-in-the-loop platforms.