Modern launch systems are faced with a number of technical challenges, such as the following:

• Stage fall-down management (e.g. minimization of splash-down area)
• Autonomous handling of no-fly-zones
• Adaptive (e.g. payload-independent) flight programme
• Autonomous structural loads management
• Safe engine operation via lifetime preservation and active adaptation
• Health management of subsystem component degradation

While means exist to handle some of these challenges at the expense of time-consuming and costly design, V&V, and mission preparation (missionization) processes performed on ground, a paradigm shift can be envisaged whereby embedding autonomous functionalities on-board would allow to address the above challenges in a more efficient, and ultimately safe manner.

The approach consist in transferring monitoring, control, optimization, and decision-making capabilities on-board such that the currently achieved pre-computed robustness of a launch mission is replaced by enhancing the operational autonomy of a launcher while monitoring its safety on-board.

The primary goal of the Smart laUncheRs Enabler (SURE) activity is to identify, design, and develop up to TRL 4 onboard functions that will provide the guidance, navigation, and control system with autonomous mission and vehicle Management, and monitoring capabilities for safe and adaptable launchers.