These are the projects currently taking place at eSpace and within the student associations for Spring 2024.

This info icon shows which projects are still accepting applications from students. Hover to view.

  • Eco-design: process to reduce environmental impacts of suborbital rockets’ parts at EPFL Rocket Team

  • Measurements of emissions (gas and particles) during propulsion tests at the EPFL Rocket Team

  • Space Logistics Optimisation – Python software development

  • telesto remote observation telescope

    Characterize the rolling shutter effect of the new TELESTO CMOS detector

  • Developing novel orbit fitting routines

  • What is the perception of Space Sustainability by Investors?

  • Sustainable missions to the Moon – Advanced sustainability guidelines for lunar activities

  • Life Cycle Assessment and Ecodesign with industry partner

  • Quantum Vision for Extreme Robotics

  • rocket team members carrying a rocket

    EPFL Rocket Team

  • model of the chess sat

    EPFL Spacecraft Team

  • Xplore

  • photo of Orion Nebula (M42) with a satellite trail

    Space Situational Awareness

  • 2 analog astronauts discussing

    Asclepios

Eco-design: process to reduce environmental impacts of suborbital rockets’ parts at EPFL Rocket Team

Supervisor: eSpace, Mathieu Udriot / Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib and Michka
Mélo (MAKE sustainability coach)
Type of Project: Semester project, 1 student
Duration: 14 weeks (Official start/end date: Feb. 19th – May 31st 2024)
Submission of final report: TBD in June 2024
Final Presentation: TBD
Recommended: This project is suitable for a student interested in the space industry, the design of hardware parts, and launch vehicles’ environmental impacts reduction. Prior knowledge of systems engineering, environmental impacts, or design in any engineering topic is a plus.

CONTEXT

eSpace is actively researching and developing methods and products in space sustainability.
This large topic includes work on space debris risks, life cycle assessment of space systems, mitigations of environmental impacts, and decision-making support tools to include sustainable aspects in the early design phase of space missions and systems.
Ecodesign is one of the three main axis of work at the ESA Cleanspace Office. The point is to consider aspects like the environmental impacts on the ecosystems, toxicity, supply chain risks, etc. directly when designing a product / a part.

© ESA

The EPFL Rocket Team is anticipating ecodesign projects in the future, once the team will have identified the environmental hotspots in their systems.
A first handbook for ecodesign in student’s associations was developed during a semester project with the support of the MAKE sustainability coach.

PROJECT SCOPE

This project will serve as a preparation for future ecodesign endeavours in space MAKE teams.
The point is to expand on the ecodesign guide to create a method / toolkit that future engineering students at the Rocket Team or else can use and apply when designing new parts.
The eco-design kit must be modular enough so it can be used after a life cycle assessment in order to tackle any environmental hotspot, and help students come up with novel solutions that meet the requirements in terms of performance and of reduced footprint.
Finally, the student will be encouraged to exploit synergies with other credited projects happening in parallel in a “sustainability task force” set up in collaboration between eSpace and the EPFL Rocket Team.

OUTCOME

  • Updates / revisions / recommendations / precisions based on the existing ecodesign
  • guide for MAKE teams, specifically for the Rocket Team (and space MAKE teams).
  • A toolkit to apply eco-design to future design endeavour by the team
  • A report including:
    • A state-of-the-art regarding environmental hotspots, and the eco-design
      process
    • (if time allows) Results of an example eco-designed part using the toolkit

TASKS

  • Review of past LCAs of (suborbital) rockets to understand recurring hotspots.
  • Literature review on the state-of-the-art regarding the eco-design process (in particular in the space sector)
  • Adapting the eco-design process and MAKE guide to the EPFL Rocket Team, preparation of a toolkit
  • Write ecodesign guidelines for future ERT parts and proposition of strategic changes to mitigate impacts.
  • (if time allows) Performing an example run with the kit on a selected part to see if ecodesign can be implemented (part to be defined by the student in collaboration with the team and supervisors)

CONTACT

Mathieu Udriot
Systems Engineer on Sustainable Space
mathieu.udriot@epfl.ch

Joachim Despature
EPFL Rocket Team president
joachim.despature@epfl.ch

STATUS OF THE PROJECT

AVAILABLE

Measurements of emissions (gas and particles) during propulsion tests at the EPFL Rocket Team

Supervisor: eSpace, Mathieu Udriot / Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib
Type of Project: Semester project, 1 student
Duration: 14 weeks (Official start/end date: Feb. 19th – May 31st 2024)
Submission of final report: TBD in June 2024
Final Presentation: TBD
Recommended: This project is suitable for a student interested in the space industry, propulsion systems, sensors, and test benches (set-up), data acquisition, and atmospheric impacts. Prior knowledge in data acquisition or measurement is a plus.

CONTEXT

eSpace is actively researching and developing methods and products in space sustainability.
This large topic includes work on space debris risks, life cycle assessment of space systems, mitigations of environmental impacts, and decision-making support tools to include sustainable aspects in the early design phase of space missions and systems.
The assessment of the environmental impacts of rocket engine exhausts in the atmosphere is not yet backed by solid scientific knowledge. There is indeed no accepted method to translate the emission of a given amount of exhaust species (like CO2, CO, H2O, HCl, black carbon, or else) at high altitude into an impact (like CO2 equivalent). What can be done already is quantify the emissions of propulsion systems, so to understand which particles and gases are generated and exhausted by the engine and in what quantity during tests.

Jamie D. Shutler et alli, “Atmospheric impacts of the space industry require oversight”, (August 2022), in: Nature Geoscience, volume 15, p. 598–600, www.nature.com/naturegeoscience.

The EPFL Rocket Team is developing and testing new propulsion systems, with engines using different types of propellant, and based on new design, in preparation for its future rockets.The medium-term goal of the ERT is to fly to 100 km altitude.

It is important for the EPFL Rocket Team to understand their student-developed engines, not only in terms of performance but also regarding emissions. Knowledge about the content of the exhaust could drive future development to select different types of propellant, change mix
ratio or other design parameters.
The topic is also very relevant for space agencies and large companies which are interested in measuring emissions of their engines during ground tests and directly in the atmosphere, to understand the chemistry that takes place at different altitude level.

PROJECT SCOPE

The main goal of the project is to prepare a measurement campaign of the exhaust gases and particles generated by rocket engines used by the EPFL Rocket Team.
The test bench used by the team will require adaptations to accommodate sensors needed for the measurements. The measurements can possibly be carried out during ignition tests, and static fire tests. The results could then be used to plan further research and/or possible
measurements and tests.
It is also in the scope to investigate the feasibility to conduct another test campaign during low altitude launches by the EPFL Rocket Team.

OUTCOME

  • A report including
    • The state-of-knowledge regarding launchers’ exhausts.
    • The state-of-affair regarding sensing method for the species of interest.
    • A list of selected gas / particle sensors and measurement instruments adapted to the task.
    • Computer-Aided Drawings of the ERT’s test bench adaptations, needed for exhaust measurements.
    • Recommendations for future studies.
  • A comprehensive test procedure to conduct a measurement campaign.
  • (optional, if time allows) Results of some measurements made on the ERT propulsion system, in a format easy to use for future students.

TASKS

Phase 1:

  • Literature review on launchers’ exhausts depending on their propulsion type.
  • Searching for the best suited sensors to perform measurements of interest.

Phase 2 (after ordering some sensors):

  • Drawing CAD adaptation for the test bench.
  • Writing a test procedure to use for measurements campaign.
  • Implement changes on the test bench (and if time allows, perform sets of measurement using the sensors).

Phase 3:

  • Searching for the best suited sensors and measurement scenario(s) to perform in-flight data collection of emissions of interest. Ideas include but should not be limited to: onboard sensors, air balloons, second rocket with sensors, satellite imaging, etc.
  • Deeper investigation and systems architecture for a subset of selected potential solutions.

CONTACT

Mathieu Udriot
Systems Engineer on Sustainable Space
mathieu.udriot@epfl.ch

Joachim Despature
EPFL Rocket Team president
joachim.despature@epfl.ch

STATUS OF THE PROJECT

AVAILABLE

Space Logistics Optimisation – Python software development

Supervisor: eSpace (Mathieu Udriot/Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib)
Type of Project: Master project, 1 student
Duration: 14 weeks (Official start/end date: Feb. 19th – May 31st 2024)
Submission of final report: TBD in June 2024
Final Presentation: TBD
Recommended: This project is suitable for a student interested in the (new) space industry, future mission designs and operations, and who is top of the class in python coding, and familiar with object-oriented programming. Familiarity with the use of Github is a plus.

CONTEXT

eSpace is actively researching and developing methods and products in space sustainability and logistics. This large topic includes work on space debris risks, life cycle assessment of space systems, space logistics optimisation, trade-offs support and decision-making support that include sustainable aspects in the early design phase of space missions and systems.

The Technology Combination Analysis Tool (TCAT) has been developed at eSpace for ESA to model and simulate space logistics scenarios. The inputs are high level mission parameters that should be available early on during design phases. Outputs help users select the best mission architecture to fulfil the mission’s objectives, and help identify technology gaps.

 

 

The tool right now can model two logistics scenarios, active debris removal of failed satellites and constellation deployment.

PROJECT SCOPE

The scope of this project can be adapted depending on the format (semester or master project). The main goal of the project is to continue the development of the tool by adding new useful features and extend the current models.
Proposition of further development include but are not limited to interplanetary use case missions (to the Moon, Mars, etc.), improvement of the power and electrical propulsion models, refraction of the “module” structure in the code to be able to perform design optimization from mission constraints (only possible reversely for now).

OUTCOME

  • A report
  • A branch on Github with model improvements, adaptation to the software, or new features
  • An updated UML diagram

TASKS

Phase 1 :

  • Familiarisation with the current version of the tool (online and of the python code).
  • Literature review about the selected model(s) improvements.
  • Encapsulation of the proposed changes and identification of file to modify.

Phase 2 :

  • Implementation of the changes (defined with the project supervisor after the first phase) to TCAT on a new Github branch.

CONTACT

Mathieu Udriot
Systems Engineer on Green Space Logistics
eSpace - EPFL Space Center
mathieu.udriot@epfl.ch

STATUS OF THE PROJECT

AVAILABLE
telesto remote observation telescope

Characterize the rolling shutter effect of the new TELESTO CMOS detector

Supervisor: eSpace/LASTRO (Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib/Stephan Hellmich)
Type of Project: Semester project (TP4)
Duration: 14 weeks (Official start/end date: February 19-May 31)
Submission of final report: May 19
Final Presentation: TBD
Recommended: This project is suitable for a student interested in astronomy and optical instrument design.

CONTEXT

In order to enable the 0.6m TELESTO optical telescope at the Observatory of Geneva for space object observations, LASTRO is currently working on an instrument upgrade. Commissioning of the new camera is scheduled to be in early 2024. The instrument uses a CMOS detector with a rolling shutter. This results in the exposure time being not the same for each pixel in the acquired image. In order to obtain high precision astrometric measurements of satellites and space debris, the exposure time needs to be determined as best as possible. Within this project, we aim to characterize the rolling shutter of the new CMOS camera for TELESTO and implement a tool to correct the exposure time accordingly.

PROJECT SCOPE

During the project, you will familiarize yourself with the new detector and learn about requirements of passive optical observations of satellites and space debris. In order for the camera to be used for space debris observation, the rolling shutter effect needs to be corrected for. Based on a detailed study of the technical documentation, you will decide if further characterization of the shutter is required and design an optical laboratory experiment to do so. The goal is to define a function that maps the rolling shutter to the individual pixels in order to know the precise start of exposure for each pixel. To verify the correction, you will use TELESTO with the new detector to perform test observations of GNSS satellites, apply the shutter correction and verify the derived astrometry with high precision ephemerides.

OUTCOME

A report compiling the literature review, the analysis of the reporting system and the gap analysis.

TASKS

  • Familiarize yourself with the hardware and software interfaces
  • Create an experiment to measure the shutter speed
  • Implement routines to correct the shutter effect
  • Conduct observations and verify the shutter correction

CONTACT

Dr. Stephan Hellmich
LASTRO - EPFL Laboratory of Astophysics
stephan.hellmich@epfl.ch

STATUS OF THE PROJECT

No longer available

Developing novel orbit fitting routines

Supervisor: eSpace/LASTRO (Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib/Stephan Hellmich)
Type of Project: Semester project (TP4b)
Duration: 14 weeks (Official start/end date: February 20-June 2)
Submission of final report: June 19
Final Presentation: TBD
Recommended: This project is suitable for a student interested in orbital mechanics, numerical integration. Prior knowledge in Java and Python is a plus.

CONTEXT

As part of the newly established Space Sustainability Hub (SSH) at eSpace, we are exploring novel techniques for determining the rotational and physical properties of space debris. For this purpose, we are currently developing methods for the detection and extraction of space debris observations from large astronomical data archives. These archives contain observational data over a 10-year period and include a large amount of random satellite and space debris observations. On the astronomical images, these objects appear as characteristic streaks, most of which cross the entire detector during the several minutes of exposure time. To identify the object that caused the streak, the observations are correlated with publicly available catalogs of satellites and space debris. However, due to uncertainties in the cataloged orbital elements, propagation errors and the fact that the real orbits are constantly changing, the observation does not precisely match the cataloged orbit. In order to determine the precise observation time, the orbits from the catalogs need to be fitted to exactly match the observation.

PROJECT SCOPE

The goal of this project is to develop a method that does not rely on exact observation time stamps, but rather treat the observation time as a variable during the fitting process. Existing orbital mechanics libraries such as Orekit contain sophisticated orbit determination and fitting routines. These methods however account only for errors in the astrometry (the measured position of an orbital debris particle in the sky) and not for errors in the observation time. Due to the high resolution of the images, the astrometry is very accurate but for the objects that cross the whole field during the exposure, the precise exposure time is unknown and can only be determined from the fitted orbit.

TASKS

  • Familiarize yourself with the Orekit orbital dynamics library
  • Design and implement a method to fit orbits to streaks that cross the whole detector

CONTACT

Dr. Stephan Hellmich
LASTRO - EPFL Laboratory of Astophysics
stephan.hellmich@epfl.ch

STATUS OF THE PROJECT

AVAILABLE

What is the perception of Space Sustainability by Investors?

Supervisor: eSpace, Emmanuelle David / Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib
Type of Project: Semester, 1 student
Duration: 14 weeks (Official start/end date: Feb. 19th – May 31st 2024)
Submission of final report: TBD in June 2024
Final Presentation: TBD
Recommended: This project is suitable for a student interested in the space industry, and Technology policy, ideally the student is in the Master in Management, Technology and Entrepreneurship.

CONTEXT

eSpace is actively researching and developing methods and products in space sustainability. This large topic includes work on space debris risks, life cycle assessment of space systems, mitigations of environmental impacts, rating incentives, and decision-making support to include sustainable aspects in the early design phase of space missions and systems.

In this context, one hypothesis is often expressed : Investors will choose a sustainable business over another.

 

 

https://inkbotdesign.com/corporate-social-responsibility/

PROJECT SCOPE

The project will draw over research perform in the last year within the center, notably on how to incentives sustainability based on the:

  • Space Sustainability Rating in Support of the Development and Adoption of Regulatory Guidelines Related to Long-Term Sustainability.
  • Fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration for space sustainability through an incentive-based mechanism

OUTCOME

A report compiling the literature review, the analysis of the literature and interviews and possible recommendation for actions

TASKS

  • Literature review on study about investing and sustainability
  • Definition of research questions
  • Possible interviews with investors with the supervisor
  • Definition of actions and measure to inform, educate and incentive sustainability investing in the space sector

CONTACT

Emmanuelle David
Executive Director
eSpace - EPFL Space Center
emmanuelle.david@epfl.ch

STATUS OF THE PROJECT

AVAILABLE

Sustainable missions to the Moon – Advanced sustainability guidelines for lunar activities

Supervisor: eSpace, Mathieu Udriot / Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib
Type of Project: Semester / Master project, 1 student
Duration: 14 weeks (Official start/end date: Feb. 19th – May 31st 2024)
Submission of final report: TBD in June 2024
Final Presentation: TBD
Recommended: This project is suitable for a student interested in the space industry, and space exploration, especially on and around the Moon. Experience with reference management, or interest in space laws are a plus.

CONTEXT

eSpace is actively researching and developing methods and products in space sustainability. This large topic includes work on space debris risks, life cycle assessment of space systems, mitigations of environmental impacts, rating incentives, and decision-making support to include sustainable aspects in the early design phase of space missions and systems.

Lunar activities will ramp up in the coming years, and interest is growing for long duration human missions on the Moon, in-situ resources utilisation, and commercially-oriented missions. All these expected activities lead to questions regarding sustainability, to avoid the same problems faced nowadays in low Earth orbits, with so many satellites that collision risks are high, astronomical observations are threatened, and competition is exploding.

ESA Multimedia & ESA Business

During a previous project, the first set of mission guidelines for lunar activities were drafted, focusing on the environmental sustainability regarding space debris and orbital capacity around the Moon. Missing fields and next research steps about lunar sustainability have been identified.

PROJECT SCOPE

In this project, the student will choose one of the research gaps identified in the previous project for instance:

  • Environmental sustainability of landing mission (and rover) depending on the mission architecture.
  • Cislunar Space Situational Awareness.
  • Impact of dust generation during landing, ejecta during crash, and mitigations.
  • Circular economy on lunar surface

OUTCOME

  • An update of the Lunar Space Sustainability Guideline
  • Lunar Space Sustainability Guidelines Justification file (student report)
  • [TBD] An abstract for a conference ? (e.g. IAC Milano 2024, CSID 2024, Space Resource Week 2025)

TASKS

  • Literature review on current and future lunar activities, and on guidelines / laws / common practice by spacecraft operators and agencies.
  • Literature review on current sustainable practices focusing on the selected gap(s).
  • [TBD with supervisor] Interviews and interactions with stakeholders interested in lunar sustainability.
  • Update of the Lunar Space Sustainability Guidelines
  • Elaboration of the Justification File, writing the justification of the guidelines
  • Dissemination strategy of the guidelines

CONTACT

Mathieu Udriot
Systems Engineer on Sustainable Space
mathieu.udriot@epfl.ch

Emmanuelle David
Executive Director eSpace
emmanuelle.david@epfl.ch

STATUS OF THE PROJECT

AVAILABLE

Life Cycle Assessment and Ecodesign with industry partner

Supervisor: eSpace, Mathieu Udriot / Prof. TBD depending on university
Type of Project: Internship or Master project, 1 student
Duration: Depending on type and university
Submission of final report: TBD in June 2024
Final Presentation: TBD
Recommended: This project is suitable for a student interested in the space industry, spacecraft design, and environmental impacts mitigations.
Prior knowledge of systems engineering, design in any engineering topic is a plus. Knowledge or experience with Life Cycle Assessment and Eco Design is an asset, but not mandatory.

The student can be from EPFL, University of Stuttgart or ISAE SUPAERO, i.e. can have academic supervision from one of the three participants in the project.

CONTEXT

eSpace, is actively researching and developing methods and products in space sustainability. This large topic includes work on space debris risks, life cycle assessment of space systems, mitigations of environmental impacts, and decision-making support to include sustainable aspects in the early design phase of space missions and systems.

eSpace is now working for an ESA project called REACT with a consortium that includes IRS Stuttgart, and ISAE SUPAERO. The project will see the development of a simplified and space-specific tool for rapid life cycle assessment (LCA) of future space systems. The goal is to be able to run an analysis of the environmental impacts early in the design phase to provide valuable results to support decision-making for ecodesign when it is still possible and affordable. Ecodesign is a process to modify the architecture and design choices in order to mitigate the identified environmental hotspots.

eSpace is in contact with several companies that are interested in testing the methodology with their own mission.

PROJECT SCOPE

The intern or master project student would help the company in their future missions by assessing and improving the environmental impact of their products, throughout their entire life cycle. They would also act as a privileged point of contact within the company, to support the research and tool development of the REACT consortium.

OUTCOME

A report including:

  • Goal and scope definition of the LCA study
  • Life cycle inventory for a TBD mission, might mean new LCI datasets created
  • Life cycle impact assessment
  • Interpretation of the results
  • First steps in eco-design efforts for future missions

TASKS

Phase 1: Evaluate the environmental impact of an ongoing space mission:

  • Literature review.
  • Define the goal and scope of the study, including the functional unit, and system boundaries.
  • Conduct life cycle assessments (LCA) at the company, considering all mission phases, from design and material extraction to end of life.
  • [TBD] Collect data to create new LCI datasets for the assessment
  • Use the tools developed by the REACT consortium for LCA screening, and environmental hotspot identification.
  • Be the point of contact for interactions between the consortium and the industrial partner on this topic.

Phase 2: Incorporate eco design principles into the company’s product development process:

  • Identify opportunities to minimise environmental impact through eco design.
  • Collaborate with various teams to implement environmental improvements.

CONTACT

Mathieu Udriot
Systems Engineer on Sustainable Space
mathieu.udriot@epfl.ch

Anna ederica Urbano
Professor at ISAE SUPAERO (SaCLab)
Annafederica.URBANO@isae-supaero.fr

Jan-Stefan Fischer
PhD candidate at IRS Stuttgart
fischerj@irs.uni-stuttgart.de

Quantum Vision for Extreme Robotics

View all projects HERE.

rocket team members carrying a rocket

EPFL Rocket Team

Click HERE to visit the EPFL Rocket Team’s projects page.

model of the chess sat

EPFL Spacecraft Team

Click HERE to visit the EPFL Spacecraft Team’s projects page.

Xplore

Click HERE to visit Xplore’s projects page.

photo of Orion Nebula (M42) with a satellite trail

Space Situational Awareness

Click HERE to visit SSA’s projects page.

2 analog astronauts discussing

Asclepios

Click HERE to visit Asclepios’s projects page.

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