Project Description
We provide several specializations project aims at exploring how GNSS-R from a small satellite in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) can enable solutions to several important challenges for maritime mapping, monitoring, and surveillance.

Mission analysis in the space industry refers to a comprehensive review and assessment of all aspects related to a space mission or operation. This includes planning, technical design, risk evaluation, budgeting, timelines, and objectives. The purpose of mission analysis is to ensure that all necessary factors are considered to achieve a successful space operation.

Parts of this analysis before launching satellites into space includes a thorough analysis of the capability of the combined payload, the orbit and a potential constellation of satellites is necessary. This project will focus on using tools such as Ansys System Tool Kit (STK) or FreeFlyer bundled with astrodynamics functionally to simulate GNSS-R satellites in LEO orbit and parts of the payload measurements to enable a realistic pre-mission analysis and extending existing works done at NTNU on GNSS-R simulations.
 

About Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R)

GNSS-R operates as a bi-static radar using Earth-illuminating GNSS signals from GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo satellites at around 20,000 km altitude. These signals, reflected off the Earth's surface and objects, can be measured by LEO satellite antenna receivers at about 600 km altitude. By installing an GNSS antenna on the zenith side and a GNSS-R antenna on the nadir side of the LEO satellites, 3D positioning of reflective points and analysis of surface in the glistering zone is possible.

Until recently, the primary remote sensing applications of spaceborne GNSS-R focus on the analysis of the sea-state (local wind speed, sea surface roughness, sea altimetry), soil moisture, biomass and vegetation estimation, sea-ice sheets analysis (height, volume, sea/ice index) and tsunami warning. An early study has also shown that oil spills can be detected. We will focus on the ability to detect and localize anomalies near the ocean surface. GNSS interference is also an option.

Impact
Space technology plays a crucial role in achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN. GNSS-R has the capability to be an all-weather, near real-time detection space-based surveillance system independent clouds and systems based on trust and self-reporting such as AIS. In Norway, space has a crucial role to play in our collective security and monitoring of critical infrastructure and the Arctic region. Understanding and analyzing all aspects of a space mission are essential to minimize risk and maximize efficiency and safety.

GNSS-R has the potential to allows us to detect and monitor water vessels at sea and localize GNSS inference sources originating from sea or land. This project target

• SDG9 Industry, innovation, and infrastructure. The outcomes have an innovative and commercial potential for industry and can contribute both to new space-based infrastructure and protection of existing critical infrastructure beyond GNSS.
• SDG12 Responsible consumption and production. As the outcomes will improve monitoring capacity of activities in the oceans, it will be easier to detect and stop illegal unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• SDG14 Life below water. Same argument as with SDG12.
• SDG16 Peace, justice and strong institutions. Maritime surveillance and GNSS interference monitoring are both relevant for this.

Tasks and Expected Outcomes
Tasks of the project can include:

1. Further development of our GNSS-R simulation software simulating a small satellite (CUBE) in LEO orbit using as software tools providing accurate and realistic orbitals trajectories and attitude of a cube satellite.
2. Look into how GNSS and GNSS-R measurements could be incorporated in the simulation tool using STK or FreeFlyer or combing alternative satellite simulation tools.
3. Using the simulation tool to study what parameters are important in a GNSS-R context using Python or MATLAB.  Coverage, revisit time, GNSS satellites in view as relevant in this context. The case study will focus on monitoring of Norwegian seas.
4. Include reflection point and simulations of signals to the simulator.
5. Extend the simulation to multiple satellite in a constellation.

Direct collaboration with other students working on GNSS-R related projects is possible. 

Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking a highly motivated final year student in Cybernetics, Electronics, or a related field with an interest in software design and space. Some experience with rotation matrices will be beneficial. The project will be adapted to the student's background and goals. 
 

How we work
The student will be part of the NTNU SmallSat lab, a lab which typically hosts 10-20 master's student per semester. At the NTNU SmallSat Lab we encourage collaboration and try to get our group to help each other. To facilitate this, we as well as arrange common lunches and workshops where the students and supervisors can learn from each other. I some project we also implement a development process.

Supervisors 

Torleiv Håland Bryne (NTNU-ITK) and Roger Brikeland (NTNU-IES) .

For further questions please contact Torleiv Håland Bryne and Roger Brikeland.