At the Stanford's Space Rendezvous Laboratory, we are among the few academic groups worldwide that embeds new algorithms for autonomous DistributedSpaceSystems into spacecraft flight software directly. Key examples are the NASA Starling mission (currently operational in low Earth orbit), and the NSF-funded VISORS and hashtag SWARM-EX missions (due launch in 2025, check out our project page).
One of the most difficult challenges in an academic environment we face is how to combine best practices from Space System Engineering with innovation in autonomy stacks for multi-spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC). Indeed, our flight software developers are PhD students that are pursuing excellence in both theoretical and applied domains.
To give you an idea, I share a draft document that outlines our lean approach towards the upcoming Flight Software Review on May 3rd. We can do it!
