Issue 53 of POLARIS Innovation Journal is dedicated to innovation in space, with space exploration entering a new era. The challenge of the near future will unfold both on the Moon and around the Earth, with the emergence of new services linked to the Space Economy that will drive technological advances in areas such as robotics, cybersecurity, and electronics. The intensification of orbital activities – the so-called In-Orbit Servicing – will require private space stations and new satellite constellations dedicated to Earth observation and telecommunications.
The last issue of POLARIS offers a broad overview of examples, insights, and previews of developments and emerging perspectives, providing a comprehensive look at this rapidly evolving sector. Topics range from compact hyperspectral payloads for Earth observation to In-Orbit Servicing systems, and space lasers based on coherent beam combination.
Significant attention is given to the industrial revolution in satellite manufacturing through the Space Smart Factory and to the enhancement of optical networks for high-speed, secure, and resilient connections. The issue also explores the role of low Earth orbit constellations in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing, as well as sensor fusion techniques for safe lunar landing. The picture is completed by methodological contributions: a framework for trade-space analysis and concurrent design, and an integrated model for feasibility studies applied to Earth observation.