Grants and Contributions

Mission Control proposes to demonstrate a Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) pipeline and corresponding software technology stack for deployment, characterization and improvement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models in an operational environment for Edge devices in Space. While AI has rapidly gained ground in terrestrial applications, the use of on-board AI for Space applications is nascent. Performance and operational considerations required for using AI models in these environments are not fully understood. By establishing a Canadian AI Lab in Space and performing an extended-baseline demonstration, Mission Control aims to further solidify its reputation as a global leader in on-board Artificial Intelligence. This phase 1 project will develop, de-risk, and refine the implementation plan needed for a full demonstration of the pipeline and the technology stack for EdgeAI in Space, enabling Mission Control to make headway in this market.

This project aims to address the problem of developing and validating a software platform for the deployment, characterization, and improvement of Artificial Intelligence models in a production/operational context for edge devices in harsh and remote environments, which can be relied upon for mission critical applications.

This low-cost and high-value demonstration of Mission Control’s Spacefarer software platform and a Virtual Reality Camera System will comprise Canada’s first ever commercial rover mission. In partnership with a US-based lunar transportation company, Mission Control will deploy a rover on the south pole of the Moon in 2024. The demonstration will investigate user experience in deep space robotic operations, and specifically how intuitive user displays, semi-autonomous driving modes enabled by artificial intelligence, and immersive reality lower the cognitive load, operator fatigue, and operator training needs while increasing mission success. Dozens of students and post-docs from four Canadian universities will operate the rover alongside Mission Control staff and youth from underserved communities. Following a successful demonstration Mission Control will be poised for further growth in international markets as Spacefarer is adapted for use on new missions.

The global space economy is growing rapidly, fueled largely by the proliferation of satellites in Earth orbit. Rather than continually launching new satellites, it is now technologically possible to perform satellite servicing, increasing satellite lifetimes, particularly for high-value satellites further away from Earth. Mission Control proposes to develop key autonomy algorithms and a mission operations software system that will advance the state-of-the-art in onboard autonomy for Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking, to be made commercially available for future satellite servicing operators. These technologies will be developed by upgrading our Orbital Autonomy Lab to a high visual fidelity hardware-in-the-loop facility. The advancement of autonomy algorithms, operations software, and simulation/validation infrastructure will advance Canada’s leadership in space robotics and autonomous satellite servicing, opening new capabilities for satellites to support our livelihood and economy on and off Earth.

The purpose of this CanExport SMEs agreement is to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for activities related to export market development that are part of an export business case for a specific target market, particularly where activities are targeting departmental priority markets and sectors.

Mission Control aims to develop a commercial prototype of an extended Mission Control Software which enables edge deployment of AI applications on low powered processors for demonstrating to prospective customers for feedback and acquiring sales.

In the emerging commercial space exploration sector, space companies will deliver government and private payloads to the Lunar surface in each mission. A single spacecraft will carry several payloads, each with different and potentially conflicting priorities and operations requirements. Many will generate a large amount of data that could be left behind on the Moon due to constrained data transfer rates.

The project aims at developing a modular multi-payload communications and data management system that can be easily installed on spacecraft. This system will provide end-to-end data security and integrity for payloads, offer dynamic downlink prioritization for payload data, manage multi-payload command and control operations, provide surface communications for deployed payloads and provide lander-based payload data storage and advanced data processing applications.

This new system will enable space delivery companies to offer high quality of service to their payload customers and ensure that operators can receive all the data that is most relevant to their mission objectives.

The objective of this project is to demonstrate software technology and provide ground software and mission operations support in navigation and science for a lunar rover mission. This project will realize key elements of Mission Control's product roadmap by demonstrating a set of critically enabling technologies and capabilities in mission operations, onboard autonomy, and artificial intelligence.

The project will be the first of its kind to use new computing architectures to enable advanced algorithms to automate resource-constrained rovers. It will advance the state-of-the-art in lunar rover concepts of operations and investigate what optimal levels of autonomy are required to maximise mission objectives. It will serve as the first known in-space demonstration of a deep learning algorithm operating on the surface of the Moon. The project will also provide disruptive innovations in demonstrating how software-defined systems can be used to lower development and deployment costs of mission software, while enhancing mission capabilities

CIIP India project MCI with Axiom Research Labs (ARL) (India): Mission Control is developing AI-enabled mission software to be deployed on Axiom Research Labs’s commercial lunar rover, lowering the barrier for flight software development and allowing more autonomous space operations.

MCS has been exported to the USA for use by NASA. Oother countries + companies have near-term lunar ambitions. This project will build upon previous business dev. to expand sales into the new markets of Japan, India and Luxembourg.