Luxembourg goes into orbit: startup Neuraspace will protect satellites from space disasters

In 2025, humanity has yet to build its USS Enterprise, but it is already surrounded by artificial satellites and debris. According to a recent report by the European Space Agency (ESA), there are about 11,000 active satellites orbiting the Earth. And the number of space debris fragments larger than 1cm is estimated at around 1.2 million - with most of them not even traceable.

With so much space traffic, there is an increased risk of collisions that could disrupt navigation systems, the internet, mobile communications and weather services. It is precisely these threats that Portuguese start-up Neuraspace, which has developed intelligent software to protect satellites, aims to minimise. Now the company is expanding beyond its home country and opening a new office in Luxembourg.

Neuraspace is led by Chiara Manfletti, former director of ESA Germany and a recognised space expert. Under her leadership, the company is developing artificial intelligence software that can predict potential collisions between satellites and debris and automatically generate evasive trajectories. This reduces reliance on manual operator labour and makes satellite control more efficient and sustainable.

The choice of the Grand Duchy as a European hub is not accidental. According to Manfletti, the country is one of the world's top three countries in terms of spending on space programmes in terms of GDP, demonstrating the priority given to this area.

Luxembourg is not only actively investing in space technology, but also has an advanced innovation infrastructure, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence, satellite security and government support for start-ups. The new Neuraspace office will work closely with Luxembourg Space Agency and the national innovation agency Luxinnovation.