AI-based Pose Estimation for Satellite Proximity Operations
Introduction
Infinite Orbits is a NewSpace company pushing the boundaries of in-orbit services with cutting-edge spacecraft driven by its own Rendez-Vous solution, an advanced Autonomous Vision-Based Navigation Solution. “Our mission is to provide geostationary operators with all the in-orbit services they need, from the inspection of their assets to the extension of their lifespan and the management of the end of life phase.”
Challenge
Developing in-orbit services and especially a Rendez-Vous solution is one of the most challenging and innovative tasks in the space sector industry. Indeed, from the technical side it is harder than most of same services developed to run on earth. It implies to use technologies like image processing and computer vision but adapted to cope with all the restrictions of the space context like different illumination, lack of gravity and physics models applied.
InfiniteOrbits engineers are developing a convolutional neural network aimed at estimating the relative 6DoF pose (attitude and position) of a target satellite. This work requires the use of extensive data sets and substantial GPU resources to effectively train and fine-tune the model. Regarding those requirements, the collaboration with LuxProvide and MeluXina supercomputer play a crucial role in supporting the project by covering those ressources and also solution engineering to facilitate the usage of the platform.
Solution
InfiniteOrbits developed a patented Rendez Vous solution to revolutionize in-orbit services through an autonomous vision-based technology. Integrating Rendezvous Far-Range (FR), Near-Range (NR), and docking capabilities, this solution ensures precise and secure navigation in space mission.
Furthermore, an embedded AI software and vision-based sensors empower those Servicers with real-time autonomous decision-making capabilities, crucial for ensuring safety in critical operations during autonomous navigation in space.
LuxProvide plays a critical role in this project. We provide for comprehensive AI platform to help developing AI models through the MeluXina supercomputer by offering powerful GPU/FPGA/CPU computational resources, an information security management system certified to international standards, and internal data segregation and privacy protection.
In addition solutions engineers and administrators are involved from the beginning to support the project and optimize the usage of the platform. This helps gain time in exploiting the resources for R&D and make the project a success.
Impact of LuxProvide
The collaboration with LuxProvide has enabled InfiniteOrbits to significantly enhance their in-orbit service capabilities through advanced AI-based pose estimation models. Leveraging the computational power of the MeluXina supercomputer, Infinite Orbits has achieved greater efficiency in model training and optimization, resulting in more reliable and precise autonomous navigation and docking solutions. This has not only reduced development costs and time but also improved mission safety and operational efficiency, giving Infinite Orbits a competitive edge in the NewSpace industry.
The real-time autonomous decision-making enabled by these AI models reduces reliance on ground control, further enhancing operational efficiency and mission reliability. By utilizing cutting-edge technology and high-performance computing resources, Infinite Orbits has set new standards for satellite proximity operations, supporting the growth and scalability of their service offerings and driving innovation in space technology.
Benefits
Through the use of AI models, our autonomous navigation solution is able to provide high-precision pose estimation and make decisions in real-time, reducing the need for ground control and manual intervention, and improving overall mission safety and reliability. Additionally, the powerful computational capabilities provided by MeluXina make model training and optimisation more efficient, saving development resources and time costs.
LuxProvide is a Space Accelerator
LuxProvide offers a unique platform that combines data science and supercomputing resources to accelerate space R&D projects based on AI. Our team of data scientists, AI engineers, Machine Learning architects, privacy and cybersecurity experts focuses on the needs of our customers including research and business players, both large and small, in Luxembourg and Europe.
Dr Farouk Mansouri, a Senior Solution Engineer involved in this project
