A contribution from the Cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory and Space Technology Center Alvaro De Orleans of the Foundation for International Studies and Geopolitics (Fondazione di Studi Internazionali e Geopolitica), an Italian moral entity that promotes culture and science as tools for dialogue and peace. Based in Rome, it is chaired by Prof. Giancarlo Elia Valori, Honorary Member of the French Academy of Sciences.
Beyond the developments in applied sciences on Earth for Earth (new energies, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, renewable sources, etc.), however, it must be said that the possibilities of “escape” from our planet at present are limited to the nearly 40 thousand kilometers per hour, touched in far 1969 by a human crew. While the record for the highest speed reached by a spacecraft belongs to NASA’s probe, Solar Parker Probe, which on April 29, 2021 reached 532 thousand kilometers per hour approaching the Sun, and with a capability of reaching a peak speed of 690 thousand kilometers per hour at perihelion (i.e., the point of it probe at the shortest distance from our star).
So if we were to calculate the aforementioned maximum speed of a manned carrier or spacecraft in the direction of Mars (i.e., a neighboring home, being an inner planet of the Solar System like Mercury, Venus and Earth), just to reach it would take nine months.
Let’s not mention it if we then consider the closest star to the Solar System: Proxima Centauri, which is 4.2 light-years away. It is not the case now to discuss wormholes, warp speed, etc.; it is good to stay with our feet precisely on Earth, and analyze at what point vector studies are, since, let’s face it, the distances are immeasurable while our possibilities of going further, much further, are limited, if not ridiculous in comparison with what surrounds us.
For now we can only hope to reach a few asteroids. Back to the topic at hand. There are currently more than 35 thousand aerospace companies and 3.5 million employees in the world, with about 184 thousand new employees in 2023, covering the United States of America, Russia, the United Kingdom, PR of China, India, France, Japan, Germany, Canada. Italy with BPD (Bombrini Parodi-Delfino, now Avio) and Vega launchers, satellite launchers, has also opened the doors of space to our country, which has thus fully entered the very small club of the aforementioned countries that have autonomous access to the cosmos.
The aerospace industry as a whole shows stable technological growth and active investment, including satellite platform construction, space biotechnology, space system network security, model rocket and spacecraft management, etc.
As human space exploration continues to grow, startups are creating viable solutions for space travel and traffic management, and even space junk and debris removal. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, as well as big data and analytics, also play a vital role in future space missions.
The aerospace industry is using emerging technologies such as 5G, advanced satellite systems, 3D printing, big data, and quantum computing to expand and upgrade space operations, including weather forecasting, remote sensing, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, satellite television, and long-term navigation and remote communications.
Reliance on space infrastructure to provide services, smart propulsion (Smart Propulsion), space robots, and space traffic management are all new trends promoting the development of aerospace applications. With the influx of private equity funds and various investments, aerospace startups are developing new technologies that simplify movement, operations and communications between Earth and space.
The Aerospace Trend Report published by Startus-Insights analyzed 2,162 new aerospace startups worldwide and summarized the top ten emerging trends and technologies in aerospace.
The ten new trends and innovations in space technology in 2024, are represented by:
1 – Small satellites. Small satellites have become the dominant trend in aerospace technology. Miniaturization of satellites enables cost-effective designs, and advances in industrial technology have enabled mass production. Startups are developing small satellites to perform tasks previously reserved for larger satellites, such as wireless communication networks, scientific observations, data collection, and Earth monitoring using GPS. The value of the small satellite market in 2024 is estimated to be $166.4 billion and is expected to reach $260.56 billion in 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.38 percent, showing the growing demand and diversified applications of small satellites in space missions.
2 – Advanced space manufacturing. Aerospace manufacturing uses cutting-edge technologies such as advanced robotics, 3D printing, and optical manufacturing to improve aerospace products and services. The focus of innovative technologies is on promoting large-scale space structures, reusable launch vehicles, space shuttles, and the development of advanced satellite sensors. Automation is extremely important for the aerospace industry’s long-term exploration missions, and the startups are committed to providing solutions designed specifically for the needs of the aerospace industry. Momentus, a new startup based in the United States of America, uses reusable rockets equipped with robotic arms to perform short-range maneuvering, docking and refueling. It is very suitable for various space services in orbit and makes space transportation more convenient The startup Equatorial has developed a commercial suborbital rocket capable of serving small payloads above the boundary between space and atmosphere.
3 – Advanced communications. New space communications systems are a major trend in aerospace technology, and research and development is focused on advanced methods of transmitting and receiving data in space. The use of laser communication relay systems provides faster data rates and more secure communications than traditional radio frequency systems. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in space uses quantum mechanical principles to provide ultra-secure communication channels. In addition, the implementation of small and inexpensive CubeSats has been successfully used to improve space communications by enabling wider coverage and more efficient data transmission. Advances in advanced communications are changing the way humans communicate in space by providing faster, safer and more efficient methods. Polish startup Thorium has developed an ultra-flat, scalable active array antenna that improves system throughput and capacity by using relatively interference-free frequency bands from Earth or space and combines electronic control and beam shaping capabilities. CommStar is another U.S. startup that produces Commstar-1, a satellite used for Earth-to-moon communications. It exceeds the speed limits of current space infrastructure and provides high-speed optical and radio-frequency relay functions. This technology benefits public and private space programs and can improve data services for lunar landers, resource extraction, and moon-terrestrial communications.
4 – Space traffic management. As the number of satellites and space debris in Earth orbit continues to increase, ways to improve space traffic management have received increasing attention. The advanced satellite tracking system uses radar and optical sensors to actively monitor and predict potential collisions. The automatic collision avoidance system will automatically adjust the orbits of satellites based on algorithms. In addition, international regulatory frameworks are being developed to standardize space operations to ensure safe and sustainable use of space and prevent orbital congestion. ClearSpace is a spin-out company-that is, an independent venture founded by entrepreneurs exiting a company in the same line of business-from the Space Center of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland. This develops technology to remove unresponsive or obsolete satellites from space. ClearSpace’s small satellite solutions can repeatedly detect, capture and remove man-made space debris, with plans to remove the first among them from space by 2025.
5 – Intelligent propulsion. Intelligent propulsion systems are a major trend in aerospace technology and provide innovative solutions for space travel. For example, there are electric propulsion systems that use electrical energy to accelerate the propellant at high speeds, and green propulsion systems that use environmentally friendly fuels such as hydrogen and oxygen. Among these, water propulsion, which uses water as a propellant, provides a safe and cost-effective option. Another that has attracted attention for its efficiency and compactness are iodine-based propulsion systems, which are particularly suitable for small satellites. The global space propulsion market is expected to reach $18.1 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8 percent from 2023 to 2028, reflecting the growing demand for advanced and sustainable propulsion solutions in space missions. French startup ThrustMe offers an electric space propulsion system that uses iodine as a propellant, providing a low-cost propulsion alternative for large satellites. Dawn Aerospace, based in New Zealand and the Netherlands, produces reusable same-day launch vehicles and high-performance nontoxic propulsion systems for satellites of all sizes.
6 – Space asset management. Due to the increase in the number of space missions, there is a need to carry out effective coordination among various such missions and activities. Therefore, some new startups are providing space activity management solutions to jointly improve efficiency and safety. Among them, the development of advanced mission control software can realize real-time monitoring and management of spacecraft and satellites; the use of artificial intelligence analysis can predict and reduce potential orbital conflicts as well as improve the safety of space operations. In addition, through the integration of blockchain (a computer network of nodes that uniquely and securely manages a public ledger composed of a variety of data and information, without the need for central control), communication and data exchange between spacecraft, ground stations and control centers can be protected and simplified, ensuring reliable and tamper-proof operations in space. U.S.-based startup Continuum provides a cloud-based platform for space mission lifecycle management that can provide high-fidelity simulations for satellite deployment and operation and support missions around the Earth, Moon and other planetary bodies. Canadian startup Obruta Space Solutions has developed equipment that can provide services for new satellites in orbit. It extends the useful life of satellites through refueling services and upgrades. In addition to extending the useful life of satellites, it also enables their future removal so that humans can permanently occupy the orbital environment.
7 – Space missions. Space exploration solves fundamental questions about the history of the universe and the solar system, and humans have found opportunities in space to promote mining, materials science, and Earth and alien life science research. The development of reusable rockets has greatly reduced the cost of space exploration and increased the frequency of missions. The deployment of small, relatively low-cost satellites helps in tasks ranging from Earth observation to deep space exploration. In addition, the development of interstellar spacecraft can facilitate missions beyond Earth orbit. For example, U.S.-based startup Lunar Station has developed a technology platform that can convert lunar sensory datasets into 3-D visualizations of that satellite’s environmental conditions, which help expand the scope and capabilities of exploration itself.
8 – Space mining. Celestial mining is turning from science fiction to reality. Robotic mining equipment designed for extreme space environments can drill and extract resources independently. Another important development is the use of spacecraft equipped with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence that can be used to identify and analyze resource-rich asteroids. In addition, startups are developing In Situ Resource Utilization technology that can process materials in space, reducing the need to transport resources to Earth. Advances in space mining technology will pave the way for sustainable resources beyond Earth. British startup Asteroid Mining Corporation has developed a satellite to explore Near-Earth Asteroids (NEOs) as mining candidates. The company offers a range of spacecraft for prospecting, exploration and mining, each capable of carrying out specific missions and guiding prospectors to specific mining candidates.
9 – Low Earth orbit satellites. Low Earth Orbit is relatively close to the Earth’s surface, usually at an altitude of less than a thousand kilometers. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites do not always follow a specific path around the Earth, which means that satellites in low Earth orbit have multiple paths. To this end, new startups have developed solutions and technologies to address the challenges associated with Low Earth Orbit. For example, advanced communication systems designed for low Earth orbit satellites focus on improving signal strength and reducing delays to ensure reliable data transmission. In addition, new startups are also developing technology to monitor the technical state of wear and tear on satellites, using advanced diagnostics and predictive maintenance to track and maintain the operational status of satellites in low Earth orbit. Japanese startup Warpspace already provides LEO optical communication services to satellite operators through optical data transmission networks in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) starting in 2023. The network uses optical links to communicate with satellites in low Earth orbit, and users will only need small optical transceivers provided by the startup for reception.
10 – Space data. As various satellites are widely used in communications and Earth monitoring, this information must be processed, analyzed, and managed. Space technology startups use artificial intelligence to analyze satellite data to interpret large amounts of information from space more quickly and accurately. Startups also use the aforementioned blockchain technology to ensure that data transmission is secure and tamper-proof and to improve the reliability of communications between satellites and Earth stations. In addition, big data analytics is also used to manage and process the huge amount of data collected by satellites, promoting efficient data storage, retrieval, and utilization for various applications in the space domain. U.S. startup LeoLabs uses its orbital products and Phased Array radar to provide precise tracking and monitoring services for satellite data. LeoLabs also tracks satellites and space debris in real time, providing data via ephemeris to quickly locate and identify the last payloads in low Earth orbit.
As we have seen, the projects and achievements are cutting edge, however, other systems where mankind can spread before the inevitable collapse of our sun are still a long way off.
Foundation for International Studies and Geopolitics (Fondazione di Studi Internazionali e Geopolitica). Within the framework of its activities, the Foundation for International Studies and Geopolitics has established the LABORATORIO DI STUDI SUL CYBERSPAZIO E INTELLIGENZA ARTIFICIALE, a laboratory for studies and research of high scientific content on the topic of Cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence. The Honorary President of the Laboratory on Cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence is Senator LAMBERTO DINI, former Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy.