Project Overview
This project aims to significantly enhance Switzerland’s observational capabilities in support of national and European Space Situational Awareness (SSA) efforts. At the same time, it strengthens Switzerland’s scientific competitiveness in the field of astronomical instrumentation.
Running from December 2025 to November 2029, the project focuses on the development and deployment of advanced observational technologies, combined with innovative data analysis methods.
Core Innovation
At the heart of the project is the commissioning of a cutting-edge adaptive optics system at the University of Bern’s Zimmerwald Observatory. This system will enable high-resolution, high-cadence imaging of objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)—a key capability for improving space surveillance and monitoring. The advanced data processing methods implemented at EPFL Computer Vision Lab that combine data acquired with the adaptive optics system with traditional observations will enable improved characterization of space objects.
Objectives
The project pursues three main objectives:
- Enhance SSA capabilities by improving ground-based observations of space objects
- Advance astronomical instrumentation through the deployment of adaptive optics technology
- Develop novel data analysis methods, including machine vision techniques for object characterization
Work Packages
WP1 – Adaptive Optics System Development
Design, assembly, and commissioning of a high-cadence adaptive optics system for the ZimMAIN telescope at the Zimmerwald Observatory. This system will enable resolved imaging of LEO objects, a major step forward in ground-based SSA capabilities.
WP2 – Collaborative Observations
Execution of coordinated observation campaigns using the ZimMAIN telescope, TELESTO, a 60 cm Telescope at the observatory of Geneva and 3 additional telescopes operated by
s2a systems, a Swiss SSA company.
WP3 – Advanced Image Analysis
Development and validation of innovative attitude and position estimation techniques, applied to both, resolved images and unresolved observations. These methods will leverage state-of-the-art machine vision approaches to extract actionable information from observational data.
Expected Impact
The project will:
- Strengthen Switzerland’s contribution to European SSA initiatives
- Deliver cutting-edge observational infrastructure
- Enable new scientific insights into space objects and their behavior
- Foster innovation at the intersection of astronomy, engineering, and AI