Clear Vision, Sure Grip: Visual-Tactile In-Orbit Inspection as a Pioneer in the Sustainable Use of Space

An increasing amount of space debris poses a threat to satellites and crewed missions. As part of the TACTIC project, Prof. Moser’s team is therefore developing the foundations for an in-orbit inspection system that provides in-situ data on the orientation, condition, material, and structure of orbital objects. This information is essential for repair, dismantling, reuse, and recycling in space—enabling a more efficient use of space as a resource. This is giving rise to a new field of research in sustainable space technologies at Trier University of Applied Sciences.

The establishment of the Space Systems Laboratory with an interdisciplinary team, the development of a technology demonstrator with a simulation environment, and the design of a demonstration mission lay the foundation for long-term research, international cooperation, and third-party funding. In doing so, the project establishes Trier University of Applied Sciences as a research hub for sustainable spaceflight and applied systems engineering, while also providing impetus for the circular economy on Earth.