Thales Australia and WSU receive grant funding under Moon to Mars initiative

Thales Australia, in partnership with the International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems at Western Sydney University (WSU ICNS), has received grant funding from the Australian government’s Moon to Mars initiative to help develop new Australian technologies for potential use on NASA’s Moon to Mars mission.

Thales Australia and the WSU ICNS, in collaboration with Thales Alenia Space, aims to use the grant to leverage the European Robotic Orbital Support Services (EROSS+) program.

The ICNS’s Neuromorphic Event Based Vision Sensor (EBVS) capability will be tested with Thales’ Spacecraft and Planetary Imaging by Camera Model (SPICAM). The research team will also assess the feasibility of neuromorphic sensors for potential application in complex in-orbit processes including spacecraft docking, refuelling and payload transfer or replacement.

The project aims to focus on the performance gains achieved using EBVS technology over existing sensors in support of orbital support service activities in high contrast visual environments. It will also determine performance gains for combined use of EBVS and existing sensors through sensor fusion.

The project supports the commitments made by Thales Australia’s Strategic Statement of Intent signed with the Australian Space Agency in December 2019, and is indicative of potential future export opportunities available to Australian businesses and research institutions through Thales’ global supply chain.