CORE BUSINESS
The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg conducts internationally competitive research and PhD education in information and communication technology (ICT) with an emphasis on creating socio- economic impact.
Space-related research features prominently among its strategic priorities, with current projects including work in satellite communications, space resources and space vehicles - in the centre’s unique space laboratories, SnT researchers develop new space technologies with partner companies. SnT scientists conduct both long-term research and engage in demand-driven projects. An interdisciplinary approach allows them to tackle problems not only from a technical perspective, but also address organisational, human and legal issues.
Through SnT’s Partnership Programme, researchers currently work in collaboration with over 65 private and public organisations, addressing the key challenges facing industry and the public sector in ICT.
The Centre has undergone a rapid development since its launch in 2009; recruiting top scientists, launching over 140 EU and ESA projects, protecting and licensing IP, launching six spin-offs, and creating a dynamic interdisciplinary research environment with some 480 people.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Space exploration and the Earth-orbit space economy are creating entirely new markets. Our expertise in satellite communications, autonomous systems, orbital and planetary robotics, small satellites, space systems design and mission-critical software makes us the ideal center of excellence to support Luxembourg’s commitment to space exploration and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU).
We collaborate with public and private partners through an established model: our Partnership Programme. Companies of all sizes, entities and agencies work with us to achieve their innovation and optimisation goals. In return, our researchers receive access to relevant challenges, real-word data, and systems to test their research results. Every project is different, but usually the outcome is a prototype working in the partner’s real environment. Companies work alongside specialised staff ready to hire at the end of the project, if needed. Our partners also receive access to the latest research methodologies and state-of-the art equipment. SnT supports projects with co-financing, as well as support for third-party research grant applications.
The Master in Space Technologies and Business is developed with the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA). It offers a starting point for professionals wishing to contribute to the emerging global space industry by creating, shaping, and sustaining space enterprises. The courses of the Master in Space Technologies and Business are based on an innovative combination of business and technology. The programme provides solid knowledge in all aspects of the space value chain, along with space engineering expertise. Business and management tools are also covered; graduates represent a pool of talents to start new space companies or contribute to existing companies, in non- technical areas.
TECHNICAL MEANS
We have five space labs: Concurrent Design Facility, Cubsat Lab, Lunalab, Zero-Gravity-Lab, Satcom Lab. Our technical expertise covers a wide range of capabilities:
- Ground station development
- Mechanical and electrical ground support equipment
- Communication networks
- Operations
- Manufacturing of satellites
- Electric propulsion for satellites
- Robotic payloads
- In-space manufacturing
- Composites
- Satellite-based media
- Telecommunication services
- Risk Management services
- Data Analytics
- Environmental applications and services
MAIN CUSTOMERS
Around 70% of SnT’s income stems from competitive research funding and over 280 MEUR external funding has been secured since SnT’s creation. Through the SnT Partnership Programme, large numbers of partners have proved willing to invest in joint research activities, ultimately improving their competitiveness through new and improved services and systems. The programme currently counts over 65 partners.
MAJOR SPACE PROJECTS
- SES Partnership - Research Program in Satellite Systems
- VHTS: User Terminal Wideband Modem for Very High Throughput Satellites, ESA. LiveSatPreDem: Live Satellite Precoding Demonstration, ESA.
- FlexPreDem: Demostrator of Precoding Techniques for Flexible Broadband Systems, ESA.
- SIERRA: Spectral efficient Receivers and Resource Allocation for Cognitive Satellite Communications, FNR-ANR.
- PROSAT: on-board PROcessing techniques for high throughput SATellites, FNR.
- MOSIS: Model-Based Simulation of Integrated Software Systems
- INSTRUCT: Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial Systems for Ubiquitous Beyond 5G Communications
