In Conversation With Our Young Researchers: Loïck Chovet

19 April 2024

How can we ensure that multiple space robotic systems – for example, from different countries and/or owned by different companies – can work together effectively?

At the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security and Trust (SnT) of the University of Luxembourg, Loïck Chovet’s research focuses on multi-robot systems and how they can work together in space. The researcher is a member of the Space Robotics (SpaceR) group, which conducts research in autonomous planetary and orbital robotics for space exploration, in-situ resource utilisation and orbital servicing. The group also focuses on air and ground robotics.

Trustful Autonomous Robotic Interaction

In the future, we anticipate a proliferation of robots exploring the Moon and other celestial bodies. However, rather than each government and company pursuing independent efforts, greater efficiency could be achieved by facilitating collaboration among these robotic explorers.

With the FiReSpARX project, Loïck Chovet is working on technologies that will allow robots to trust each other and exchange services. The aim of FiReSpARX is to use distributed ledger technologies and intelligent agent technologies to develop space robots that follow a given governance (RegTech) and make autonomous economic decisions (FinTech). This form of dynamic collaboration between space robots could lower market barriers in the space sector and thus, transform the entire industry.

FiReSpARX is an international project carried out in collaboration with a prestigious space robotics laboratory in Japan, the Space Robotics Lab led by professor Yoshida, at the Tohoku University.

Space Research in Luxembourg

Over the last three decades, Luxembourg has made the development of the space industry a priority and has created a thriving space scene. From a supportive legal framework to state-of-the-art facilities and the creation of dedicated infrastructures, research in support of space activities is strongly encouraged.

Loïck Chovet’s research project is one of the many examples that illustrate Luxembourg’s growing global position in space research. Here are some examples of Luxembourg’s assets for space activities.

The European Space Resources and Innovation Centre (ESRIC)

In 2020, Luxembourg has team up with the European Space Agency (ESA) to create the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC). Unique in its kind, ESRIC is becoming an internationally recognised centre of expertise for scientific, technical, business and economic aspects related to the use of space resources for human and robotic exploration, as well as for a future in-space economy.

Space Research Infrastructures

Among the many space research infrastructures, here are examples of the facilities available in Luxembourg.

The ZeroGravity Lab meticulously replicates orbital dynamics and scenarios, creating a simulated orbital environment within a confined, dimly lit space measuring 3x5x2.30 metres (WxLxH).

A brand new Space Campus in sight for Luxembourg

A new infrastructure bringing together all space-related activities in Luxembourg to ensure the competitiveness of companies and public research organisations in this field.

SciComm & Other Outreach Activities

While Loïck Chovet enjoys doing research in Luxembourg, more especially thanks to the cutting-edge infrastructures available at the University and the other research centres, he has also discovered a real passion for science communication. Through his various activities, such as teaching and taking courses, Loïck has realised that science communication is a real thrill for him.

His ultimate goal is to combine his coding skills and his passion for science and communication by providing science communication services through gamification, creating video and board games. Loïck wants to use real concepts of game design and game play to bring people to a higher level of understanding.

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