Zendir Partners with Strathclyde Uni on £1.5M Research Project for AI for Space Safety and Sustainability:

Zendir Joins Global Initiative for AI-Driven Space Sustainability

Introduction

The race to expand humanity’s presence in space has never been more intense. Thousands of satellites now orbit Earth, with mega-constellations planned to bring global broadband, Earth observation missions to monitor climate change, and deep-space exploration targeting new frontiers. Yet this rapid expansion poses risks: congested orbital environments, growing space debris, and sustainability challenges that could jeopardize the future of space activity.

To address these issues, Zendir has announced its partnership in a £1.5 million international research project dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for space safety and sustainability. By joining a consortium of space agencies, universities, and industry leaders, Zendir is contributing cutting-edge AI expertise to a global initiative aimed at safeguarding the orbital commons.

This article explores the significance of Zendir’s partnership, the challenges of space sustainability, the role of AI in ensuring safe operations, and the broader implications for the future of the space economy.

The Growing Challenge of Space Safety

Orbital Congestion

As of 2025, there are more than 10,000 active satellites and over 30,000 tracked pieces of space debris larger than 10 cm. Smaller fragments, numbering in the millions, pose lethal threats despite their size. With mega-constellations like Starlink and OneWeb deploying thousands of satellites each, Earth’s orbits—particularly low Earth orbit (LEO)—are becoming increasingly congested.

Space Debris

Collisions in orbit generate cascading effects. The Kessler Syndrome, a scenario in which debris from one collision triggers more collisions, could render certain orbital altitudes unusable. Ensuring sustainability requires proactive measures to prevent debris proliferation.

Human Safety

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) regularly perform debris avoidance maneuvers. The safety of future human missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond depends on mitigating orbital risks.

Regulatory Pressure

Governments and international organizations are intensifying their calls for responsible space operations. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and national space agencies are pushing for frameworks that ensure long-term sustainability.

These challenges underscore the need for innovative solutions, and AI has emerged as a powerful tool to address them.

AI as a Catalyst for Space Sustainability

Artificial intelligence brings several transformative capabilities to the space sector:

1. Collision Avoidance

AI algorithms can process vast amounts of orbital data from global tracking networks to predict potential collisions more accurately than traditional methods. Machine learning models adapt to new data, improving their predictive accuracy over time.

2. Debris Tracking and Classification

AI systems are increasingly used to classify and characterize orbital debris, distinguishing between active satellites, defunct spacecraft, and natural objects. This improves situational awareness and informs policy decisions.

3. Autonomous Decision-Making

Satellites equipped with onboard AI can autonomously plan maneuvers, reducing reliance on delayed ground control and enabling rapid responses in critical situations.

4. Resource Optimization

AI helps optimize the use of fuel, power, and communication resources, prolonging satellite lifetimes and reducing the frequency of replacements—a direct contribution to sustainability.

5. Climate and Environmental Monitoring

Beyond orbital safety, AI enhances the ability of satellites to monitor Earth’s climate, detect illegal deforestation, track greenhouse gases, and support global sustainability goals.

Zendir’s Role in the £1.5M Research Project

A Collaborative Effort

The project, backed by £1.5 million in funding, brings together stakeholders from government, academia, and industry. Its mission: to develop AI-driven frameworks and tools that make space operations safer and more sustainable.

By joining this initiative, Zendir contributes expertise in AI algorithms, predictive modeling, and system integration. The company’s role spans several dimensions:

1. AI-Driven Collision Avoidance: Developing adaptive machine learning models that can process data from multiple tracking networks and satellites in near real time.

2. Digital Twin Integration: Using digital twin technology to simulate orbital environments and validate AI-based decisions before deployment.

3. Decision Transparency: Creating explainable AI (XAI) systems that allow operators to trust automated decisions by providing clear rationales for each recommendation.

4. Sustainability Analytics: Leveraging AI to forecast orbital traffic trends, assess environmental risks, and support the development of international sustainability standards.

Why This Matters

Zendir’s involvement is a signal that private sector innovation is critical to the future of space governance. As commercial players lead in satellite deployment, their participation in sustainability initiatives ensures solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with market realities.

Building Trust in AI for Space Operations

For AI to play a decisive role in space safety, stakeholders must trust its outputs. This requires attention to several key factors:

Explainability

Operators need to understand why AI recommends a maneuver or decision. Black-box models create hesitation, particularly when millions of dollars or human lives are at stake.

Validation

AI systems must be rigorously tested against historical data and through simulations. This is where digital twins prove invaluable—allowing teams to replicate orbital conditions and validate AI responses before they are deployed in orbit.

Interoperability

Global space safety depends on data sharing and cooperation across nations. AI frameworks must be interoperable, capable of integrating data from multiple sources and conforming to international standards.

Resilience in Data-Limited Environments

Just as in the case of advancing satellite autonomy, space AI systems must function in data-limited environments. Gaps in tracking data or delayed communication cannot paralyze decision-making. Zendir’s AI models emphasize resilience, ensuring safe operations even with incomplete information.

Case Studies: AI in Action for Space Safety

1. ESA’s AI-Driven Collision Avoidance

The European Space Agency (ESA) has experimented with AI tools that assess collision probabilities and recommend avoidance maneuvers. These systems demonstrate the viability of delegating critical orbital decisions to machine intelligence.

2. NASA’s Orbital Debris Research

NASA employs AI in its Orbital Debris Program Office to improve the cataloging and tracking of space debris. Zendir’s research aligns closely with NASA’s mission to enhance space situational awareness.

3. Commercial Mega-Constellations

Operators of large satellite constellations, such as SpaceX, increasingly rely on AI to automate operations across thousands of satellites. AI ensures that such constellations do not exacerbate orbital congestion and remain compliant with emerging regulations.

Ethical and Regulatory Dimensions

As AI assumes greater control over space operations, ethical and governance questions arise:

• Accountability: If an AI-driven decision results in a collision, who bears responsibility—the operator, the AI developer, or regulators?

• Transparency: International trust requires that AI decisions be explainable and verifiable by multiple stakeholders.

• Bias and Equity: AI models must avoid biases that favor certain operators or nations, ensuring fairness in orbital access.

• Policy Alignment: AI frameworks must align with the UN Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines for Outer Space Activities and evolving national regulations.

Zendir’s participation includes not only technical contributions but also engagement with policy and governance frameworks, ensuring that AI is deployed responsibly.

The Broader Vision: AI for a Sustainable Space Economy

The £1.5M project is more than a technical exercise—it is a step toward a new paradigm for space operations:

1. Cleaner Orbits: Through proactive debris management and avoidance, AI reduces the risk of collisions that would generate more debris.

2. Extended Satellite Lifetimes: Optimized resource use ensures fewer satellites need replacing, reducing environmental impact.

3. Global Collaboration: AI frameworks developed through international partnerships foster trust and cooperation among nations.

4. Commercial Viability: Sustainable practices ensure the long-term profitability of satellite operators by reducing risks and operational costs.

5. Support for Earth’s Sustainability: By enhancing satellites’ ability to monitor Earth, AI indirectly supports climate action, disaster response, and global development goals.

Looking Ahead

The future of space safety and sustainability will depend heavily on technological innovation and cross-sector collaboration. Key trends to watch include:

• Onboard AI: Moving decision-making from ground stations to satellites themselves.

• AI-Enabled Space Traffic Management (STM): Building a global STM framework powered by AI for real-time coordination.

• Self-Healing Satellites: Leveraging AI and digital twins for autonomous anomaly detection and recovery.

• Global Governance of AI in Space: Crafting treaties and standards that regulate the use of AI in orbital safety.

Zendir’s partnership in this research project positions it as a thought leader at the intersection of AI, space safety, and sustainability.

Conclusion

The £1.5 million AI-driven space sustainability project represents a pivotal step toward ensuring the long-term safety and viability of human activity in orbit. By partnering with global stakeholders, Zendir brings its expertise in AI and digital innovation to one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century: managing the orbital commons responsibly.

Through its contributions, Zendir is not only advancing technical solutions—such as collision avoidance, debris tracking, and sustainability analytics—but also helping to build the trust, governance, and international collaboration necessary for a sustainable space economy.

As the number of satellites continues to rise and space becomes increasingly vital to life on Earth, initiatives like this highlight a clear path forward: leveraging AI responsibly to ensure that the promise of space remains available for generations to come.