Grants and Contributions

Mission Control proposes to develop an AutoNav system to enable continuous autonomous rover driving at a speed of 1km/h. AutoNav is composed of a flight and ground segment: a rover sensor and compute module hosting Xiphos’ and Mission Control’s suite of navigation algorithms, and mission operations software leveraging Mission Control’s Spacefarer TM product. AutoNav will be developed and tested to TRL 6 on rover prototypes in representative lunar lighting and terrain at Mission Control’s indoor high-fidelity Moonyard facility.

Mission Control proposes a new AI-integrated image processing system that will help spacecraft perform tasks autonomously and safely in these complex environments. The advancement of computer vision and autonomy algorithms for use with wide-angle field of view cameras will advance Canada’s leadership in space robotics, autonomous spacecraft, and safety in robotics operations, opening new capabilities for spacecraft to support our livelihood and economy on and off Earth.

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.

Phase 2 of this project will develop and deploy an in-orbit AI lab in low Earth orbit whereby the technology to train, deploy and update deep learning models in space will be demonstrated to advance the reliability and trustworthiness of using AI in space.

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 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.