Visit by Dr. Silke Launert, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space

Professor Kayal presented some of the current projects:
Two years ago, the JMU nanosatellite SONATE-2 was launched into space on a rocket. Once in orbit, it took images of Earth and trained an AI to autonomously detect anomalies on the Earth’s surface. The technology could potentially be used in interplanetary missions. Even though the satellite’s mission has already been fulfilled, it is still providing data that researchers are using for university teaching.

In the NEALight project, space engineers developed a concept for two small satellites that could encounter the asteroid Apophis, which is set to pass close to Earth, in space on 13 April 2029. The aim of the feasibility study is to capture images that contribute to a better understanding of asteroids and, in the long term, could also improve defences against such celestial bodies.

Professor Hakan Kayal and his team are also conducting research into UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) – a broader term for what was previously mostly referred to as UFOs. Most sightings can be attributed to birds, aircraft, satellites, drones or atmospheric effects. However, a small proportion remain unexplained to date – and this is precisely where the scientific interest lies. To this end, IFEX is developing technical systems for the detection, evaluation and analysis of such events.

The VaMEx-MarsSymphony project is developing communication technologies and sensor systems for realistic exploration scenarios with a view to future Mars missions in the Valles Marineris region, and will initially demonstrate these on Earth. As part of the project, a camera is also being developed which could later be deployed on the Martian surface to automatically detect transient phenomena in the Martian sky – such as meteors, atmospheric glow and possible UAPs.