The European Space Agency (ESA) is extending an unprecedented invitation to European researchers and companies, offering a unique chance to test cutting-edge software directly in the harsh environment of deep space. This extraordinary opportunity will unfold aboard ESA’s Hera mission, millions of kilometers from Earth, marking a significant step in fostering onboard intelligence and autonomous operations in space exploration.
Hera’s Evolving Mission: From Planetary Defense to an Orbital Testbed
Originally launched in 2024 with the primary objective of conducting a detailed investigation of the Didymos and Dimorphos asteroid system, the Hera mission is slated to achieve its core planetary defense goals by mid-2027. However, upon completion of its scientific objectives, Hera will embark on a new, transformative chapter: it will serve as a pioneering flying software laboratory, positioned approximately 150 million kilometers from our home planet. This exceptionally distant vantage point will provide European innovators with a critical platform to rigorously test next-generation approaches in onboard intelligence, advanced image processing, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven operations and autonomy in a real-time, in-flight scenario.
This initiative represents a significant paradigm shift in how space missions are utilized. Traditionally, deep-space missions are operated with meticulous planning and constant oversight from ground control. Hera’s extended mission phase, however, will leverage its operational status to become a dynamic testing ground, allowing for the validation of novel software solutions that could redefine the future of space exploration and operations.
A Call for Innovation: Pushing the Boundaries of Onboard Intelligence
Dietmar Pilz, ESA’s Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality, highlighted the significance of this initiative. "This is an exceptional opportunity that will help accelerate European innovation, enabling researchers and industry to push the boundaries of onboard intelligence and autonomy," he stated. "We invite Europe’s innovators to shape the next generation of intelligent, robust, and autonomous space missions."
Pilz elaborated on the specific nature of the experiments sought: "We are looking for targeted, innovative experiments that push onboard intelligence beyond today’s procedural boundaries, while running safely alongside Hera’s flight-critical systems in a protected ‘sandbox’ environment. These ideas will help ESA mature technologies that reduce reliance on ground control, increase mission resilience, and enable more capable future exploration missions."
The "sandbox" environment is crucial to ensuring the safety and integrity of the Hera mission. This protected virtual space will isolate experimental software from the spacecraft’s primary operational systems, preventing any potential disruptions to its core functions. Access to spacecraft instruments and subsystems will be facilitated, but the experimental software will operate under strict time limits (typically two to three hours) and will be subject to immediate shutdown if any anomalies are detected.
Strategic Importance: Strengthening Europe’s Leadership in Space Technology
By strategically opening its mission infrastructure to external innovators, ESA aims to catalyze the development of advanced space technologies and solidify Europe’s position as a global leader in sophisticated space systems. This collaborative approach not only accelerates technological maturation but also fosters a vibrant ecosystem of European space expertise.
The call for ideas is being managed through ESA’s Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP), a dedicated portal designed to facilitate the submission and evaluation of novel concepts. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their proposals through this platform, outlining their innovative software experiments.
From Asteroid Investigation to a Deep Space Software Lab: Hera’s Journey
Hera’s current trajectory is a testament to its multifaceted purpose. Launched in 2024, the spacecraft is en route to the Didymos and Dimorphos asteroid system. This celestial pair holds particular significance as Dimorphos is the first object in the Solar System whose orbit has been demonstrably altered by human intervention. In 2022, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft successfully impacted Dimorphos, intentionally shifting its orbit around its parent body, Didymos.
Upon Hera’s arrival at the asteroid system in the autumn of 2026, it will conduct a meticulous, close-up investigation of the impact site. This scientific endeavor is critical for gathering vital data about the asteroid’s composition, structure, and its response to the DART impact. The insights gained will be instrumental in resolving key scientific questions central to the field of planetary defense, a critical area of research for safeguarding Earth from potential asteroid threats.
A Transformative Legacy: Extending Mission Value
Ian Carnelli, Hera mission manager, emphasized the spacecraft’s enduring potential beyond its primary scientific objectives. "By this time next year, Hera’s asteroid investigation phase should be over, but the spacecraft still holds extraordinary promise," he remarked.
Carnelli further elaborated on the novel approach to operating Hera in its extended phase: "Usually, we operate precious deep-space missions based on carefully validated procedures and frequent ground control oversight. But in this case, we are inviting European innovators to work in a real mission environment to help redefine how spacecraft might think, decide and operate in the future." He reiterated that the goal is not to relinquish control of Hera but to "safely test ideas that could light the way towards more capable, more autonomous and more resilient spacecraft operations."
The dual-core LEON3 processor, a European-developed technology, is central to the safe execution of these experiments. Jorge Lopez Trescastro, ESA’s Hera software engineer, explained the technical setup: "Our priority is to perform these experiments in an entirely safe way, so we are taking advantage of the fact that Hera’s onboard computer runs on a European-developed dual-core LEON3 processor. One core will operate the actual spacecraft, while the other has a safe sandbox environment that has been optimized to host guest software."
Trescastro added, "Access to spacecraft instruments and subsystems will be fully facilitated, while the hosted software will only run for two to three hours at a time, and be shut off immediately if any problems are identified. Setting all this up to execute in a safe and reliable way has been really challenging, but now we are ready, and really excited to see what ideas the community brings forward!"
The Submission Process and Timeline
The call for innovative software experiments is open through ESA’s Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). Potential applicants are required to submit an outline form for an initial evaluation by ESA. The deadline for this initial submission is not explicitly stated in the provided text, but the subsequent phases of the program indicate a clear timeline.
- Mid-October 2026: ESA will select the winning ideas.
- Following Selection: Chosen teams will be invited to submit their detailed implementation packages and source code for thorough validation.
- 31 May 2027: Deadline for submitting the complete implementation package.
- August 2027: Planned operation of the selected software during a one-month period.
This phased approach ensures rigorous vetting and validation of all experimental software, prioritizing mission safety and scientific integrity.
A Legacy of In-Orbit Technology Demonstration
Hera’s role as a flying software laboratory builds upon ESA’s long-standing commitment to in-orbit technology demonstration. Through initiatives like the Proba satellite family, culminating in the current formation-flying Proba-3 mission, and the planned Henon CubeSat for deep space exploration, ESA has consistently provided platforms for testing new technologies in the actual space environment. These missions are instrumental in de-risking future endeavors and accelerating the transition of innovations from laboratory settings to operational space missions.
A notable predecessor in this vein is ESA’s OPS-SAT CubeSat, which previously invited software developers to run standard software in space, famously including a demonstration of the classic video game Doom. This earlier initiative showcased the potential for diverse software applications in space and paved the way for more ambitious projects like Hera’s advanced software laboratory.
Hera represents an evolution of this spirit, pushing the boundaries further by offering a unique opportunity to test complex AI and autonomy algorithms in the demanding environment of deep space. ESA’s invitation to European innovators underscores a forward-looking vision for space exploration, where intelligent, adaptable, and resilient spacecraft will play an increasingly pivotal role. The agency is keen to explore the groundbreaking ideas that the European research and industrial community will bring forward, charting a new course for the future of autonomous space operations.
