TRUST · Transforming Reliable Universal Spacecraft Trajectory neural model with safety feedback

Golden age of space exploration is here. Deep-space missions are reshaping our understanding of the solar system and its origins. Current spacecraft operations, however, still depend on large ground-based teams, resulting in high mission costs, complex logistics, and communication delays. As a result, operational capacity will saturate with the booming of space missions.The TRUST (Transforming Reliable Universal Spacecraft Trajectory neural model with safety feedback) project will address this challenge by establishing a new autonomous guidance and control paradigm for spacecraft. The project leverages advanced neural network technology to transform heavy mission-specific computations into a compact on-board system. This shift reduces dependence on ground intervention and increases adaptability to uncertainties.The project focuses on two core breakthroughs. First, it solves the bottleneck of neural guidance that demands retraining for each mission, by providing reliable generalization capability. Second, TRUST introduces embedded, quantifiable feedback safety metrics within the neural model, an essential element for wider acceptance by the aerospace industry. These innovations will enable the resulting system to serve both on-ground mission analysis and on-board guidance. TRUST technology will be validated through hardware-in-the-loop simulations, leveraging the EXTREMA Simulation Hub from the ERC-funded EXTREMA project. To ensure scientific excellence and practical relevance, I will implement the project at Politecnico di Milano, with a secondment at the European Space Agency. TRUST will mark a turning point in my research career and foster my academic independence. It will empower future deep-space exploration while aligning with Europe's vision for autonomous space systems. By enabling smaller spacecraft to operate independently for safety-critical autonomy in extreme environments, TRUST will strengthen both scientific progress and European competitiveness.