Gofore’s subsidiary Huld participates in a research project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA)to develop AI-based satellite data processing. The aim is to revolutionise the way satellite data is collected and utilised in space, before the images even reach the Earth’s surface.
Traditionally, satellites collect raw data that is transferred to Earth for further analysis. This takes time and requires significant transmission capacity, especially in smaller satellites with limited communication bandwidth.
The aim of the project is to develop a solution that utilizes AI to process some or all of the observational data already on board the satellite. This way, the satellite would send conclusions based on the images to the Earth, which saves bandwidth, memory and speeds up the use of information.
Artificial Intelligence in orbit
In the project, Huld is testing how current satellite computers and AI algorithms suite for this kind of demanding data processing. The goal is to identify the solutions that enable efficient and intelligent data processing already in orbit.
Project Manager Sara Jokela from Huld comments on the cooperation:
“We are very excited to be part of such an innovative New Space project. Our team at Huld has extensive experience in satellite data processing algorithms and the hardware requirements needed to process such algorithms. We are looking forward to working with the whole consortium and bring our contribution to advance satellite on-board data processing capabilities.”
The study is carried out in cooperation with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and CGI Finland. VTT is the project leader, CGI brings expertise in end-user services, and Huld is responsible for testing the electronics and computing power of satellite data.