CV

Research Scientist at SnT, University of Luxembourg, working at the intersection of computer vision and space robotics, with a focus on bridging the gap between simulation and real data for spacecraft pose estimation and autonomous relative navigation.

• Computer Vision for Space Robotics, 6DoF Pose Estimation, Unsupervised Domain Adaptation, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), On-board AI / Edge Computing, Small Body Exploration, and Autonomous Relative Navigation.

• 2015 - 2019

  Sydney, Australia

  PhD

  UNSW Sydney

  Space Robotics

  • Thesis: Small Body Gravimetry using SLAM-based Autonomous Navigation.

• 2012 - 2015

  Würzburg, Germany

  M.Sc.

  University of Würzburg

  Space Science and Technology

  • Thesis: Design and development of UWE-4 CubeSat: Integration of electric propulsion, structural analysis, and orbital heating analysis.

• 2003 - 2007

  Chennai, India

  B.E.

  Anna University

  Mechanical Engineering

  • First Class with Distinction.

• 2024 - present

  Luxembourg

  Research Scientist

  SnT, University of Luxembourg

• 2021 - 2024

  Luxembourg

  Research Associate

  SnT, University of Luxembourg

• 2019 - 2021

  United Kingdom

  Research Associate

  Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey

• 2011 - 2012

  India

  Product Engineer

  SKF Technologies Limited

• 2007 - 2011

  India

  Design Engineer

  TATA Consultancy Services (TCS)

• 2022 - 2026

  SnT, University of Luxembourg

  Program Lead

  DIOSSA Project [ESA GSTP], Phase 1 (24M) & Phase 2 (18M)

  • Leading a team of researchers developing deep learning solutions for spacecraft pose estimation.
  • Managing the full project lifecycle, including work package execution, monitoring, and progress reporting.
  • Delivered all Phase 1 milestones and defined the scientific roadmap for Phase 2.
  • Outcomes: 3 successful ESA reviews and 5 conference publications.

• 2023 - 2026

  SnT, University of Luxembourg

  Technical Lead

  Partnership Project with LMO

  • Guiding research strategy on Unsupervised Domain Adaptation (UDA) for spacecraft pose estimation, aligning academic research with industrial partner requirements.
  • Co-supervising PhD research on UDA for 6D pose estimation.

• 2022 - 2025

  SnT, University of Luxembourg

  Researcher

  MEET-A [FNR Bridges], ENERGETIC [EU Horizon]

  • Provided simulation expertise across research use cases, including battery thermal simulation (ENERGETIC) and spacecraft data simulation (MEET-A).

• 2019 - 2021

  University of Surrey, UK

  Researcher

  FAIR-SPACE

  • Research: Developed deep learning algorithms for 6DoF spacecraft pose estimation in non-cooperative target scenarios.
  • Edge AI: Evaluated the algorithms on edge hardware with hardware-in-the-loop experiments.
  • Tech transfer: Developed ORVIS, an orbital simulation tool that generates training data for relative navigation.
  • Output: 2 journal publications, 1 book chapter, 2 conference publications; supported 1 start-up initiative.

• 2022 - 2023

  University of Luxembourg

  CV and ML Lead

  SnT-AI4SPACE Mission (Deployed)

  • Developed and deployed an onboard AI anomaly detection system, validated on flight hardware.

• 2023 - 2023

  University of Luxembourg

  Simulation Lead

  AUDACITY Mission (Deployed)

  • Designed and deployed an onboard AI algorithm for SSA spacecraft detection, in collaboration with LMO.

• 2015 - 2015

  University of Würzburg, Germany

  Student Researcher (Master's Thesis)

  UWE-4 CubeSat Mission (Deployed)

  • Developed the mechanical design of the CubeSat for electric propulsion integration, verified via structural and orbital thermal analysis.

• 2022 - 2026

  University of Luxembourg

  Operations Lead (for CVI²)

  Zero-G Lab

  • Manage end-to-end data-collection campaigns, including requirements gathering, test-plan development, and execution.
  • Coordinate collaborations with other research groups to streamline workflows and align objectives.
  • Align research strategy with equipment and procurement needs, ensuring timely acquisition of resources.
  • Outcomes: 3 major 6D pose datasets, 4 partner data-acquisition campaigns, and 2 journal articles.

• 2022 - 2026

  University of Luxembourg

  Coordinator

  Computer Vision Lab

  • Overseeing lab setup, project demos, and equipment procurement.
  • Setting up and maintaining the CVI² GPU servers for the research group.

• 2020 - 2021

  University of Surrey, UK

  Researcher and Coordinator

  Orbital Robotics Testbed @ STAR LAB

  • Coordinated testbed development for experimental validation of relative navigation algorithms.

• 2020 - 2021

  University of Würzburg, Germany

  Research Assistant

  FloatSat Testbed

  • Designed and implemented a testbed on spherical air bearings for experimental validation of CubeSat ADCS.

• Co-Author: FNR Bridges U-ADAPT (2025) — Funded

• Co-Author: ESA Proposal DIOSSA Phase 2 (2024) — Funded

• Lead Author: FNR Junior CORE Sentient-3D (2022) — Not funded

• Contributor: FNR CORE DA-GAP (2023); EDF REAL-AI (2022)

• PhD co-supervision: Nidhal E. Chenni (2024–present) — Domain Adaptation for 6DoF Pose Estimation. Output: 3 conference papers (A/A*).

• PhD co-supervision: Ala Souissi (2025–present) — Leveraging Event Sensing for 6DoF Pose Estimation and Tracking.

• Master’s thesis: Haytam Qadadri (2023) — Spacecraft Pose Estimation using Neuromorphic Sensors. Output: 1 conference paper (A*).

• 2022 - 2026

  University of Luxembourg

  Course Project & Lab Coordinator

  Computer Vision and Image Analysis (CVIA)

  • Coordinating course projects for the MICS and MSTB Master’s programmes and MSTB lab sessions.

• 2018 - 2019

  UNSW Sydney, Australia

  Teaching Assistant

  ELEC3106: Engineering Course

  • Facilitated laboratory sessions and exam evaluations for undergraduate engineering students.

• Co-Organizer: AI4SPACE Workshop @ CVPR (2026, 2024), ECCV (2022)

• Lead Organizer: SPARK Challenge @ CVPR (2026, 2024), ECCV (2022)

• Session Chair: EUVIP 2026

• External Advisor: Neuromorphic Hackathon (2024) @ fortiss, Munich

• Program Committee: IGNSS Conference (2016, 2017)

• Oct 2023 — ESA CleanSpace Industry Days, ESTEC, Netherlands: DL-based spacecraft pose estimation: Opportunities and challenges for future in-orbit servicing missions.

• Sep 2020 — FAIR-SPACE Workshop, Liverpool, UK: On-orbit relative pose estimation of a non-cooperative target using convolutional neural networks.

• Oct 2018 — 17th Space Generation Congress, Bremen, Germany: Reusable CubeSat constellation for asteroid rover navigation and communication.

• Sep 2017 — 3rd Off Earth Mining Forum, UNSW Sydney, Australia: Autonomous spacecraft navigation near an asteroid.

• Winner, Move an Asteroid Technical Paper Competition (2018) — Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Bremen

• IAC Travel Grant / Sponsorship (2017) — National Space Society of Australia, to attend the International Astronautical Congress

• UNSW Departmental PhD Scholarship (2015) — Full tuition plus living stipend for the duration of candidature

• Erasmus Mobility Grant (2013) — Competitive grant for a Master’s exchange year

• Top Achiever Award, SKF (2012) — Ranked 1st in performance assessment at SKF India