Cooperation Systems

Fraunhofer FIT is exploring potential applications of information technology across a range of aerospace domains, including space system development, training and public outreach activities. Spearheaded by the ADTLAS project, ongoing efforts are centered on the development and validation of high-fidelity virtual environments and digital twins for prospective lunar surface missions. 

Fraunhofer FIT is pushing the frontiers of IT in aerospace through projects such as ADTLAS (Advancing Digital Twin Infrastructures for Lunar Analogue Studies). Carried out in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), ADTLAS develops high-fidelity immersive simulations for future lunar surface missions; see also here.

With the global space economy projected to surpass €1 trillion this decade, immersive technologies are emerging as a key driver of this growth. By streamlining design and training procedures, accelerating development and lowering costs, they help make space related activities more accessible to a growing spectrum of organizations. 

ADTLAS exemplifies this trend. Utilizing advanced 3D modeling and XR to augment physical testbeds with digital twin elements, it seeks to enable the simulation of unique lunar conditions – such as achromatic landscapes, lack of atmospheric scattering, and regolith behavior under hypogravity – that are impossible to replicate through conventional means.

Our work shows that these simulations help optimize the development lifecycle, from initial engineering to mission-ready training. Fully virtualized twins can also enable real-time, remote collaboration between international stakeholders, fostering efficient and inclusive design processes. This work builds on a three-year postdoctoral project which involved astronaut user studies, parabolic flights, and VR deployments aboard the International Space Station. 

To promote this line of research, Fraunhofer FIT also leads the organization of the annual SpaceCHI conference. Hosted by NASA in collaboration with other international partners, SpaceCHI is the premier forum for human-computer interaction research in the space domain, focusing on the design and evaluation of next-generation mission interfaces.

Ultimately, we believe this work will help democratize participation in space exploration. By lowering the costs and enabling diverse stakeholders to engage and influence the future of lunar missions, we aspire to foster a more inclusive, innovative, and dynamic European space industry.