All posts tagged: Space Technology

Roadway pavement assessment using low-cost AI technology

Roadway pavement assessment using low-cost AI technology

The PAVE-SCAN project aims to build EGNSS-based and AI-driven technologies for the high-accuracy, yet low-cost, assessment of roadway pavements, and to improve the safety of drivers and the operations and maintenance of roadway networks. The maintenance, performance, and safety of roadway infrastructure are critical concerns for modern societies. Growing traffic volumes, rapid urbanisation, and ageing infrastructure increase the need for efficient and scalable methods for monitoring pavement condition. Detecting surface degradation (such as cracks, roughness, potholes, or deformation) at early stages allows timely maintenance, reduces operational costs, and enhances safety. Conventional inspection approaches, including manual surveys or specialised survey vehicles, are costly, labour-intensive, and difficult to perform at high frequency or across large networks. PAVE-SCAN, and the derived PAVE-SENS technologies, address this challenge through a scalable, low-cost, AI-enabled solution for continuous pavement assessment. Funded under Horizon Europe and supported by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), the project combines low-cost sensing technologies, GNSS-based positioning, and data-driven analytics to monitor road conditions at high resolution and frequency. By leveraging vehicles already circulating on …

Astroscale wins £350,000 contract to transform in-orbit servicing

Astroscale wins £350,000 contract to transform in-orbit servicing

The European Space Agency (ESA) has backed Astroscale UK to spearhead a cutting-edge project that could redefine how satellites are maintained in orbit. Under a £350,000 Phase A contract, Astroscale will lead the design of the In-Orbit Refurbishment and Upgrading Service (IRUS), a mission concept aimed at extending satellite lifespans, enabling repairs, and integrating upgrades without returning them to Earth. The initiative highlights Europe’s growing focus on space sustainability, the reduction of orbital debris risks, and sets the stage for the next generation of in-orbit servicing technologies. Commenting on the funding, Nick Shave, Managing Director of Astroscale UK, said: “Astroscale is very pleased to have been selected by ESA for the IRUS Phase A project, a bold and exciting step towards a true circular space economy. “By exploring how satellites can be upgraded and enhanced in orbit, we are helping to shape a sustainable future for space – one that delivers long-term value for operators, governments, and society in general. “This study is an important milestone for Astroscale, our industrial partners, and for the UK’s …

Uni of Glasgow lab transforms 3D printing for space manufacturing

Uni of Glasgow lab transforms 3D printing for space manufacturing

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have launched the world’s first dedicated test facility for materials intended to be 3D printed in orbit. Known as the NextSpace Testrig, this pioneering platform is designed to ensure that components manufactured in space are structurally sound and safe – marking a major advancement in the rapidly evolving field of space manufacturing. As space agencies and private companies shift towards building infrastructure directly in orbit, the ability to rigorously test and validate 3D-printed materials under true-to-space conditions has never been more critical. The NextSpace Testrig brings this capability to Earth for the first time, creating a vital bridge between innovation and real-world application. With £253,000 in support from the UK Space Agency’s Enabling Technology Programme, the project is led by Dr Gilles Bailet in collaboration with The Manufacturing Technology Centre. Dr Bailet highlighted the significance of the project: “3D printing is a very promising technology for allowing us to build very complex structures directly in orbit instead of taking them into space on rockets. “It could enable us to …