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Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Space-ng Demonstrates AstroVision and Lunar Optical Navigation at the 40th Space Symposium
Space-ng optical navigation software provides terrain relative navigation, hazard detection, and attitude determination from lunar orbit to the surface, as demonstrated by the recent success of Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1 (BGM1) landing at Mare Crisium. The technology used in this mission, and its capabilities regarding other computer vision applications for space systems, will be presented in video and interactive displays at the Space-ng Booth #SS208. AstroVision hardware, currently undergoing qualification testing, will also be demonstrated at the Space-ng booth. AstroVision was developed by Space-ng to host the powerful software that will drive next generation computer vision applications for space systems. This includes the spacecraft equivalent of level 5 self driving, proven by Firefly on BGM1, with optical navigation support from Space-ng. Attendees at the 40th Space Symposium will include Space-ng Founder and CEO Ethan Rublee as well as Co-Founder and Chief Engineer Steve Bailey. Space-ng is on a mission to provide computer vision, optical navigation, and autonomous operations across the solar system, as well as returning cinematic experiences and imagery from pioneering space missions. Space-ng's Role in the Historic Firefly Blue Ghost Lunar Lander Mission On March 2nd, as Blue Ghost descended to Mare Crisium, Space-ng's software processed camera images, comparing them to a 3D, geospatially accurate, onboard lunar digital terrain map and dynamically correcting the vehicle's navigation solution. In the final moments before touchdown, the system identified hazardous terrain like slopes, rocks, and craters and autonomously re-directed the lander to a safe site - ensuring a soft, precise landing. Future Vision Based Navigation Systems In future applications, Space-ng software will be hosted on Space-ng's AstroVision hardware. AstroVision combines advanced optical sensors, high-speed remote data transmission, high-performance computing, and neural engine processing to enable the use of computer vision and machine learning algorithms using physics-based visual reasoning. AstroVision provides quaternions and state vectors from Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon absent of GPS and radio communication, supporting Alt PNT cislunar spaceflight, as well as lunar orbit, landing and surface operations. AstroVision combines Space-ng's expertise in vision-based navigation software with space-qualified hardware that includes an 8 core CPU as well as hardware acceleration including an Image Signal Processor (ISP), Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), and an AI/Neural Network Engine. AstroVision includes up to 12 configurable high-resolution Camera Modules, each with sensors and optics tailored to users needs, and each located up to 15 meters from the AstroVision Base Unit. This multi-headed vision system provides all-sky coverage eliminating the need for spacecraft maneuvers or attitude constraints in acquiring and tracking the Sun or stars. This innovative approach to position and attitude determination uses both bright objects like the Sun, Earth, and Moon and dim objects, such as stars and distant planets, to produce a precise state vector solution without relying on conventional sun sensors, star trackers, GPS, two-way-radio ranging, or ground-in-the-loop approaches. Each of the twelve AstroVision global or rolling shutter imagers comes with a user-selectable field of view, 12 Mpixel resolution, up to 6 Gbps bandwidth, and internal IMU, weighing in at only 150 grams apiece. The AstroVision Hardware and Software Ecosystem Space-ng is taking orders for AstroVision hardware, with first flight hardware delivery in Q3 of 2025 and with EDU hardware now available. AstroVision hardware supports many use cases ranging from science imaging and video documentation to spacecraft automation such as rendezvous, proximity operations, manufacturing, assembly, security, and space situational awareness. As a software-defined system with an open architecture model with standard APIs, the flight software may be licensed from Space-ng, or developed by the customer to suit their needs. AstroVision comes with hardware and software supporting each stage of the spacecraft development life cycle, including design & development, test & integration, mission operations, and overall cyber-security. This includes real time simulation, electrical ground support equipment, command and telemetry, and Over the Air (OTA) updates. Space-ng can provide dedicated support through delivery and integration, or all the way to mission success. 'Optical navigation is critical in situations where you need precise maneuvering and a GPS signal is not available,' said Will Coogan, Chief Engineer at Firefly Aerospace. 'We chose Space-ng for the Blue Ghost mission to the Moon because their software provides a precision landing location on the lunar surface that avoids hazardous obstacles like rocks and craters. Space-ng provides excellent support and expertise, and we look forward to working with them for future missions to the Moon and beyond!' Media Contact: Please contact [email protected] for additional requests for information or media contact. Space-ng is developing revolutionary machine vision hardware and software for Civil, Commercial, and Defense customers. To learn more about Space-ng visit where you'll find the answers to your most common questions as well as contact information on how to customize AstroVision for your mission.
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Heliospace Hardware Successfully Deploys on the Lunar Surface
Heliospace sensors and booms deploy aboard the Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost Mission 1 lander BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / March 17, 2025 / Heliospace, a subsidiary of Helio Corporation (OTC:HLEO) has announced the successful deployment of its hardware on Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1 (BGM1) lander. Heliospace provided deployable mechanisms and sensors as part of the Lunar Magnetotelluric Sounder (LMS) experiment. Led by Southwest Research Institute, LMS is designed to study the interior of the Moon by measuring low frequency electromagnetic fields. Heliospace designed and built unique Remote Electrodes that deploy in four directions up to 60 feet away from the lander, forming a large low frequency antenna on the lunar surface. Heliospace also provided a separate compact boom which deploys a magnetometer sensor upwards from the lander deck to make accurate measurements of magnetic fields. These systems work together to enable the LMS experiment to achieve key scientific objectives in resolving the internal structure of Moon's mantle. Firefly's BGM1 lander camera captured video of these mechanisms being deployed ( Heliospace The LMS experiment is led by Dr. Robert Grimm, a program director in Southwest Research Institute's Solar System Science and Exploration Division. Firefly's BGM1 successfully landed on the Moon in the Mare Crisium basin carrying 10 NASA science investigations and technology demonstrations to study the Moon's environment in advance of future human missions to the lunar surface. The BGM1 mission is part of the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which purchases lunar delivery services for science investigations and technology demonstrations to the Moon. About Helio Corporation: Helio Corporation is a technology, engineering and research and development (R&D) holding company serving commercial, government and non-profit organizations. Our wholly owned subsidiary, Heliospace Corporation ('Heliospace'), is an aerospace company specializing in the design, engineering, assembly and test of space flight qualified hardware and provides systems engineering, modeling, analysis, integration and test services to customers in government, commercial, private and non-profit markets. With deep expertise in civil space missions combined with a growing business serving commercial companies, our primary company objective is to enable humanity's pursuit of the scientific and commercial development of space. Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Some of the matters discussed herein may contain forward-looking statements that involve significant risk and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words like 'believes,' 'could,' 'possibly,' 'probably,' 'anticipates,' 'estimates,' 'projects,' 'expects,' 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'seek,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'expect,' or 'consider' or the negative of these expressions or other variations, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual transactions, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future transactions, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events and the information currently available to us. Although we believe that the assumptions for these forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Consequently, no representation or warranty can be given that the estimates, opinions, or assumptions made in or referenced by this presentation will prove to be accurate. We caution you that the forward-looking statements in this presentation are only estimates and predictions, or statements or current intent. Actual results or outcomes, or actions that we ultimately undertake, could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties or actual events differing from the assumptions underlying these statements. We caution investors not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in, or made in connection with this presentation. The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation as a result of new information, future events or changes in the Company's business plans or model.
