Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPMSpace missions increasingly rely on autonomous robotic systems. Fraunhofer IPM offers robust perception and autonomy solutions for space applications such as in-orbit servicing, mobile space exploration, cooperative systems, earth observation, and automated UAV-based Cal/Val of satellites. Advanced sensor systems that combine classical vision-based approaches with active optical sensing and real-time data processing can offer robust solutions for demanding conditions such as low light, dust, and homogeneous environments.
Robust perception and autonomy for space
Increasing robustness and autonomy in your next space mission
Space exploration is entering a new era of increasing autonomy, complex mission scenarios, and growing demand for robust sensing under extreme environmental conditions. Fraunhofer IPM develops advanced sensor technologies and intelligent data analysis solutions that support safe, efficient, and autonomous operations across applications ranging from Earth observation to planetary exploration:
- Robust perception and environment sensing under degraded conditions
- Multimodal sensor systems (e.g. optical, laser-based, multispectral)
- Autonomous navigation and sensor fusionIntelligent data analysis and AI-based interpretation
- Tracking and navigation using Doppler-LiDAR
- Reliability and redundancy for mission-critical operations
- Integration into existing avionics and robotic platforms
In navigation and autonomy, we enable robotic platforms to localize, map, and operate independently when no external positioning infrastructure is available. We offer solutions for navigating and tracking planetary rovers, mobile instruments, and other autonomous systems in space for docking, repair and manipulation by combining SLAM methods, inertial sensing, Doppler-based motion estimation, and intelligent control. This supports safer mobility, improved mission resilience, and greater operational independence.
Based on many years of experience with mobile mapping, we integrate heterogeneous sensors into coherent overall systems through precise synchronization, calibration, testing, and validation. This enables mission-ready, highly robust and reproducible platforms for applications ranging from Earth observation to planetary robotics and in-orbit servicing.
We offer mission-ready solutions
Fraunhofer IPM supports space agencies, system integrators, and industrial partners in developing robust, application-oriented technologies for future missions. We help translate advanced sensing, robotics, and data analysis into mission-ready solutions and joint development opportunities—whether in Earth observation, planetary exploration, or in-orbit operations. Our technologies help reduce mission risk, enable new mission concepts, and improve the quality and usability of space-based data.
Use case: Earth observation and Cal/Val
Fraunhofer IPM leverages its expertise in mobile mapping and airborne sensing to contribute to the calibration, validation, and enhancement of Earth observation data. This includes high-precision measurement systems and data fusion approaches that combine advanced sensor technologies with robotics. One example is the Airborne Reference Temperature System ART, which provides accurate airborne reference data for the validation and calibration of thermal satellite measurements.
Adaptive resolution and accuracy: Validating or calibrating a thermal satellite requires reference data across several pixels during overflight. Depending on the satellite’s ground sampling distance, the Airborne Reference Temperature System ART optimizes the flight pattern to measure the mean satellite-pixel reference temperature as accurately as possible. The system also compensates for temporal and spatial temperature changes by processing the measurements during the UAV flight and aligning them with the satellite acquisition time.