At the end of October, two of our research teams from the Aerospace Policy Division embarked on an exciting journey to Milan, Italy, to present their work at the prestigious 2024 International Astronautical Congress (IAC). Representing UTAT on the global stage, these teams shared research on key issues facing the future of space exploration and technology!

UTAT Aerospace Policy researchers (Team 1) Hargun Kaur, Meghna Ravikumar, Eesa Aamer, Christina Mai, and Emily Ha-Tchong with their advisor, Thomas Graham from Swinburne University, in front of a poster announcing next year’s IAC in Sydney, Australia

Eesa Aamer (UTAT Aerospace Policy Researcher) presenting insights from interviews with public and private sector stakeholders, highlighting their role in building a framework for assessing AI sustainability in space applications.

Team 1: Investigating the Sustainability of AI Deployed in Outer Space

Our first team investigated the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into aerospace operations, including Earth observation, satellite navigation, and spacecraft autonomy. They identified a gap in existing frameworks, which, while effective at assessing the sustainability of various space mission aspects, do not fully address the unique demands of AI systems. In response, they developed a framework rooted in responsible AI principles, offering a proactive, adaptable assessment that maps the impacts of AI technologies across the entire Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) life cycle. By combining insights from existing standards with perspectives gathered from interviewing public and private sector stakeholders in the global space industry, the framework aims to foster a collaborative ecosystem where developers and regulators share responsibility for sustainable AI development in space. This work lays the foundation for governance that evolves alongside technological advancements, ensuring the aerospace sector upholds ethical and sustainable practices. We are immensely grateful to Professor Karina Vold (Department of Philosophy) and Professor Dr. Ishtiaque Ahmed (Department of Computer Science) from the University of Toronto and PhD candidate Thomas Graham from Swinburne University of Technology for their invaluable support as project advisors! 

A huge congratulations to our Policy superstars Hargun Kaur, Meghna Ravikumar, Eesa Aamer, Christina Mai, Emily Ha-Tchong, Dheekshitha Palanikumar, and Elizabeth Xu for their outstanding work on the project!

Team 2: LUNEX PROSPER - The Next Generation’s Blueprint Towards a Sustainable Human Presence on the Moon

Our second team contributed to the Space Generation Advisory Council’s (SGAC) LUNEX PROSPER research initiative, which explores the challenges and opportunities in building a sustainable lunar economy. The project’s deliverables include a recommendations report to the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) and a research paper for IAC 2024. Selected by project lead Newsha Haghgoo, UofT Engineering alumna and MDA Systems Engineer, the team comprises 21 members from over 10 countries, drawn from SGAC’s Space Exploration Project Group and UTAT’s Aerospace Policy Division. As collaborators, UTAT’s Aerospace Policy team led the legal working group, focusing on developing recommendations that align ethical and economic priorities to support the development of harmonized, robust international and national laws that ensure the long-term sustainability of human activities on the Moon. Their research examined the ethical values embedded in international space law, the economic systems driving successful commercial activities in space, and the governing principles and their means of implementation in international and national space laws relevant to lunar activities. Their recommendations lay the groundwork for a sustainable lunar economy, built on ethical, economic, and legal foundations that reflect the international commitment to ensure "Access to Space for All," a prominent theme at the conference. And their journey didn’t end in Milan at the conference—they also personally presented their findings to employees of the LSA in early November, garnering interest in funding additional studies based on their work!

Kudos to our Policy champions Natacha Hughes, Christina Mai, Shokoofa Dehghani, Parneet Saini, and Amrithaa Logeswaran for their exceptional work on SGAC’s LUNEX PROSPER project!

Parneet Saini (UTAT Aerospace Policy Researcher) presenting the team’s analysis of international and national laws relevant to the establishment of a lunar economy.

For our Aerospace Policy Division to attend IAC 2024 was an absolute thrill and a surreal experience for our everyone! They had the chance to meet global leaders in the space industry and connect with other passionate Canadian students making their mark in aerospace. We couldn’t be prouder of their work to represent UTAT and Canada on an international level!