Master Thesis: Modelling and Predicting Clouds for Satellite Laser Communication
SSC SpaceDescription
At SSC Space, we help space organizations, research institutes and commercial companies access and use space. Our services span satellite communications, engineering, rocket and balloon systems, and launch services.
Within our Optical Program, we are developing a satellite data service based on a network of optical ground stations that use laser communication to transfer data between satellites and Earth. Because clouds can obstruct laser signals, reliable cloud monitoring and forecasting are essential for planning and evaluating each satellite pass.
We are now looking for a Master’s thesis student who wants to explore how image analysis, weather data and predictive models can improve satellite laser communication.
Requirements
The purpose of the thesis is to develop a system that can characterize and predict cloud obstruction along a satellite’s line of sight. You will work with all-sky images collected from cameras at our optical ground station sites and investigate how this data can support both operational decisions and customer reporting.
During The Thesis, You Will
The exact scope of the thesis will be refined together with the selected student based on the project priorities, available data and the student’s academic background.
Responsibilities
We believe this thesis is suitable for you if you:
Benefits
Location
The thesis will be carried out in collaboration with a globally distributed SSC Space team with headquarters in Solna. The work can be carried out on site in Solna, or from remote.
We offer you
Please submit your application, including your CV, academic transcripts and a short description of why you are interested in the thesis. The application deadline is 2026-10-18 and the thesis is expected to begin in January 2027. Please note that an approved pre-employment screening is required before the thesis can begin.
At SSC Space, we help space organizations, research institutes and commercial companies access and use space. Our services span satellite communications, engineering, rocket and balloon systems, and launch services.
Within our Optical Program, we are developing a satellite data service based on a network of optical ground stations that use laser communication to transfer data between satellites and Earth. Because clouds can obstruct laser signals, reliable cloud monitoring and forecasting are essential for planning and evaluating each satellite pass.
We are now looking for a Master’s thesis student who wants to explore how image analysis, weather data and predictive models can improve satellite laser communication.
Requirements
The purpose of the thesis is to develop a system that can characterize and predict cloud obstruction along a satellite’s line of sight. You will work with all-sky images collected from cameras at our optical ground station sites and investigate how this data can support both operational decisions and customer reporting.
During The Thesis, You Will
- Collect and structure all-sky images from cameras located at our optical ground station sites.
- Develop a method for overlaying satellite pass trajectories onto all-sky images.
- Create probabilistic cloud masks for daytime, twilight and nighttime conditions. This may include building a manually labelled dataset for training and validation.
- Combine satellite trajectories with the cloud masks to estimate cloud conditions along the line of sight throughout each pass.
- Develop relevant metrics, such as expected clear-sky duration and the minimum elevation at which the satellite signal can be acquired.
- Compare estimated cloud conditions with real telemetry from space-to-ground laser communication links.
- Investigate whether cloud estimates can explain signal degradation, failed acquisition or interrupted tracking.
- Review numerical weather prediction models and satellite cloud-imagery products that may support short-term cloud forecasting.
- Explore or prototype a centralized weather service that combines local data from our optical ground stations with external weather forecasts.
The exact scope of the thesis will be refined together with the selected student based on the project priorities, available data and the student’s academic background.
Responsibilities
We believe this thesis is suitable for you if you:
- Are currently completing a Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering or a related field.
- Have an interest in satellite communications, image processing, machine learning, data analysis, or meteorology.
- Have experience with programming and are comfortable working with data.
- Enjoy solving complex technical problems and turning research into practical applications.
- Can work independently while collaborating with technical experts.
- Can communicate and document your work clearly in English.
Benefits
Location
The thesis will be carried out in collaboration with a globally distributed SSC Space team with headquarters in Solna. The work can be carried out on site in Solna, or from remote.
We offer you
- The opportunity to work on a real technical challenge within satellite laser communication.
- Access to operational data from SSC Space’s optical ground station sites.
- Guidance and support from experienced specialists within optical communication, satellite operations and engineering.
- The chance to combine academic research with the development of a solution that could be used in future operations and customer reporting.
- An international working environment within the global space industry.
- The possibility to contribute to new knowledge that may lead to publishable results.
Please submit your application, including your CV, academic transcripts and a short description of why you are interested in the thesis. The application deadline is 2026-10-18 and the thesis is expected to begin in January 2027. Please note that an approved pre-employment screening is required before the thesis can begin.