Autonomous Close-Proximity Spacecraft Operations with Neuromorphic Event Cameras

Laplace Expert Ltd; Southampton; Remote; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend

Fully funded PhD

Tuition coverage

Job summary

University of Southampton is offering a fully funded PhD on hardware-in-the-loop validation of neuromorphic event cameras for autonomous close-proximity spacecraft operations.

The project develops resilient six-degree-of-freedom relative navigation and control for spacecraft operating near non-cooperative targets, integrating event-camera perception with inertial sensing, Kalman filtering and trajectory planning, validated using ARCS and a KUKA robot arm.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have a UK first-class Master's degree or international equivalent in engineering, mathematics or a related field; astronautics or robotics is beneficial.
• Detailed knowledge of orbital mechanics, robotics or control theory is essential.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing and neuromorphic event cameras is advantageous.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Robotics

Control theory

Event cameras

Kalman filtering

Hardware-in-the-loop testing

Embedded electronics

Education

UK first-class Master’s degree

Tools

Embedded electronics

Robotics

Event cameras

Job description

Autonomous Close-Proximity Spacecraft Operations with Neuromorphic Event Cameras

University of Southampton · Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

England, United Kingdom

1 November 2026; exact cutoff time was not stated on the FindAPhD project page.

About This Opportunity

University of Southampton is offering a fully funded PhD on hardware-in-the-loop validation of neuromorphic event cameras for autonomous close-proximity spacecraft operations.

The project develops resilient six-degree-of-freedom relative navigation and control for spacecraft operating near non-cooperative targets. It integrates event-camera perception, inertial sensing, Kalman filtering, trajectory planning and hardware-in-the-loop validation using the ARCS facility and a KUKA robot arm.

spacecraft autonomy event cameras GNC hardware-in-the-loop neuromorphic vision

Level PhD

Programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)

Field Autonomous Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation and Control

Organization Type University

Funding & Compensation

Amount GBP 25000 / Per Year

Funding Type Stipend

Funding Status Fully Funded

Period Per Year

Tuition Coverage Fully Covered

Stipend Yes

Requirements

Education

Applicants must have a UK first-class Master's degree or international equivalent in engineering, mathematics or a related field; astronautics or robotics is beneficial. Detailed knowledge of orbital mechanics, robotics or control theory is essential.

Experience

Technical Skills Orbital mechanics Robotics Control theory Event cameras Kalman filtering Hardware-in-the-loop testing Embedded electronics