Sherbrooke’s NGC Aerospace’s pivotal role in PROBA-3 satellite mission
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
In the quiet but technologically vibrant city of Sherbrooke, NGC Aerospace stands as a beacon of Canadian ingenuity. Founded in 2001 by Jean de Lafontaine, this cutting-edge firm specializes in autonomous software for satellites, a contribution that has not only revolutionized space operations but also cemented Canada’s presence in the aerospace sector. Most recently, NGC played a key role in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ambitious PROBA-3 mission, a two-satellite system designed to study the Sun’s mysterious corona.
Turning vision into reality
Jean de Lafontaine, NGC’s founder and CEO, traces the company’s trajectory from humble beginnings to its current stature as a world-class innovator. “Our software reduces operational costs by automating satellite functions,” he explained in a Dec. 9 interview. Instead of requiring extensive ground-based teams, NGC’s systems use onboard intelligence to ensure precision and autonomy. This capability is crucial for missions like PROBA-3, where millimeter-accurate positioning and millidegree orientation are non-negotiable.
Located in Sherbrooke’s techno park, NGC has grown from a solo venture to a team of highly skilled engineers. De Lafontaine credits his dual role as a professor at the Université de Sherbrooke for enabling the recruitment of top talent, many of whom were once his students. The company’s ability to foster long-term careers is evident: some of its earliest hires, who joined two decades ago, remain at the core of the team.
NGC’s expertise lies in what it calls “software intelligence,” a deterministic system that ensures satellites operate predictably and reliably. Unlike general artificial intelligence, which can produce unpredictable results, NGC’s software guarantees stability and consistency—qualities critical for space missions where even minor errors can jeopardize millions of dollars of equipment.
A mission to illuminate the Sun
The PROBA-3 mission, launched on Dec. 5, represents a milestone in solar research. By orchestrating artificial eclipses every 20 hours, the two satellites—a coronagraph and an occulter—allow scientists to observe the solar corona for extended periods. This layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, known for its enigmatic solar flares and eruptions, plays a critical role in phenomena like space weather, which can disrupt Earth’s communication networks and power grids.
“Solar flares caused Quebec’s 1989 blackout,” de Lafontaine pointed out. “Understanding the corona could help predict such events.” With NGC’s software autonomously controlling the satellites to within millidegree orientation and millimeter positioning, PROBA-3 delivers unprecedented precision in solar observations. The eclipses created by the two satellites will last up to six hours, providing scientists with an unparalleled opportunity to study the corona’s role in solar storms.
These advancements are not only scientific but also technological. The PROBA-3 mission is a first-of-its-kind demonstration of high-precision formation flying. The two satellites must maintain a separation of 150 metres with millimeter accuracy, exchanging information in real time to achieve their delicate alignment. Any deviation risks exposing the coronagraph to direct sunlight, negating the eclipse and disrupting data collection.
