Exodus Orbitals

A number of in-space software applications has been already trialled on the unique ESA satellite, called OPS-SAT, launched in 2019. Here is short list of some of the most notable ones:

• ContainerWatch. To monitor ocean surface for floating intermodal containers. To reduce the computational resources required to an extent that the application can run as a background task.
• Mobile Satellite Imager. To explore issues in real time satellite imaging from a mobile field operative. To develop a mobile phone application, server infrastructure necessary to queue requests and allow real time control of attitude and camera.
• Autonomous Optical Navigation for Faint Object Detection, Identification & Tracking. Autonomous detection of faint, far planet (asteroid missions) and faint, close object (e.g. GEO) (debris removal missions, MSR)
• Cloud detection on-board. Take a picture. Then run a detection algorithm and see if we can preprocess the image on-board. Output an image with clouds highlighted.
• AI in Space. Proof-of-concept of the use of artificial intelligence machine learning algorithms for performing satellite autonomous tasking. Execution of autonomous satellite tasking for taking images on preselected ground targets under specific conditions (attitude, illumination)
• Onboard real-time aggregated surface analysis. Autonomously identifying and cataloguing regions of interest on distant astronomical bodies. Reduce transmission volume required to identify regions of interest on distant bodies, identifying possible landing sites for an asteroid lander via computer vision methods.
• On-board autonomy or formation flying testing. Develop a twin-sat formation flying simulation in EuroSim on Linux. Put it on OPS-SAT, so that it can ‘communicate’ with the simulated sat.
• Development and test of satellite to satellite (S2S) communication subsystem for small satellite onboard software update. The idea is to use the commercial space based communication systems for small satellite onboard software update.

Introduction

Earth Observation (EO) satellites have been transforming various industries, from agriculture to urban planning, by providing valuable insights and data. Traditionally, these satellites send raw imagery data to Earth, where it is processed and analyzed. However, new approaches are emerging that take advantage of in-space processing and data fusion techniques to provide novel and efficient solutions for businesses. In this blog post, we will explore a few of innovative methods and discuss the potential benefits they offer.

At present, most EO satellite data is processed on Earth, with only minimal processing occurring on the satellite itself. For example, the Landsat program, a series of Earth-observing satellites operated by NASA and the US Geological Survey, captures images of the Earth’s surface and sends raw data to ground stations for further processing and analysis. This traditional approach is adequate for many applications, but it can be limiting when it comes to handling more complex data types like hyperspectral imagery or synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data.

Recent advancements in EO satellite technology have made it possible to perform more pre-processing directly in space, offering substantial benefits for various industries. By incorporating machine learning algorithms on satellites, specific business insights, regions of interest, or spectral bands can be extracted, allowing for more efficient and targeted data transmission. PhiSat-1, also known as FSSCat A, is a CubeSat launched by ESA in 2020 as part of the FSSCat mission, which aims to provide data for the Copernicus Earth observation program. PhiSat-1 is equipped with a hyperspectral imaging sensor and an artificial intelligence (AI) processing unit, which enables the satellite to perform onboard data analysis and filtering. The AI processing unit, powered by the Intel Movidius Myriad 2 Vision Processing Unit (VPU), is specifically designed to perform machine learning tasks directly on the satellite, such as detecting clouds in the captured images. By identifying and discarding images with significant cloud cover, PhiSat-1 can significantly reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted to the ground, thus saving valuable bandwidth and improving the overall efficiency of the mission. A follow-up mission, PhiSat-2, to be equipped with multispectral imager is already in the works.

Another innovative concept being explored is data fusion, which involves combining data from different types of satellite sensors. Currently, this process is primarily performed on the ground, but performing it in space could offer several advantages. By equipping satellites with the necessary hardware and software, data fusion can be done more efficiently and quickly, providing real-time insights. This could be particularly useful in emergency situations, where rapid access to accurate information is critical.

For example, consider a natural disaster scenario like a forest fire. By fusing data from optical, short- and longe-range IR sensors on a single satellite, responders could quickly assess the extent of the fire, identify hotspots, and even predict its future behavior. This information would be invaluable for coordinating firefighting efforts and mitigating damage to communities and ecosystems.

In conclusion, the future of EO satellite technology is bright, with new approaches such as in-space processing and data fusion offering novel and efficient solutions for businesses across various industries. By harnessing the power of machine learning algorithms and advanced sensor technology, these methods have the potential to revolutionize the way we access and utilize Earth observation data, leading to innovative applications and valuable insights.

A Future of Space Computing Power In Orbit

We’ve already talked a lot about space data and its potential to radically transform the global economy. However, the current paradigm is that the bulk of our data infrastructures sit here, on our home planet, and receive the data through ground stations scattered across the globe.

The challenges here are roughly similar for any kind of data – you need to connect points A-Z and form a network; you need good connectivity to ensure the data is carried efficiently; you need data centers, power supply and proper interfacing.

But what if the space segment could play a bigger role in this equation? What if satellites themselves became points of processing for data? What if we could establish edge computing frameworks comprising entire constellations of satellites packing powerful hardware? How would this change our current paradigm, and what opportunities would it open?

We have partnered with Exodus Orbitals to dive into this rabbit hole – and create radically new solutions to some of the challenges of Earth-based data delivery infrastructures.

Sfera Technologies and Exodus Orbitals to collaborate on space and ground segment applications

Exodus Orbitals and Sfera Technologies will work together on deploying prototype software in orbit. Sfera Technologies is working on an array of space-based software solutions for data management and scalability – and Exodus Orbitals will provide an early platform for these prototypes.

Exodus Orbitals satellite platform will allow seamless deployment and operations of third-party software applications in space in the same manner as it is currently possible with mobile, embedded or web applications on Earth.

Deployment on Exodus’ satellite will help Sfera to test and fast-track its software architecture to future mass deployment on large satellite constellations, providing unique services in security, data delivery optimization and data management.

So, what is edge computing in space and why compute in orbit?

An intersection of computing and space creates an opportunity to create another “edge” in the global “cloud” of processing capabilities that can become another platform for third-party software applications. Traditionally, satellite onboard computing and data processing subsystem was servicing the need of one specific mission and only one operations team. We propose to open up the satellites for software developer community that can express their ideas in the domain that was previously very difficult to access to outsiders.

• Reduce downlink volumes to optimize EO data product delivery. This is in line with Sfera’s strategy to promote and build decentralized ecosystems and infrastructures to deliver EO data efficiently to all possible stakeholders. Edge computing in space is a key enabler of flexible data delivery channels, taking away some of the burden of terrestrial infrastructures and aiding the diversification of current Earth-based data infrastructures.
  
• Allow the unlimited access to instrument data during normal satellite operations. As software on onboard computer have direct access to the payload subsystem, there is no limitation on how much data they can process. That allows algorithms to exploit from simple frame stacking to potentially infinite amounts of ML-specific tasks.
  
• Allow efficient sharing of satellite resources between different applications using the same type of instrument. For example, some of the customers can be operating their apps over open ocean and some over specific land areas, without interfering with each other.
  
• Help with development of reliable tools to seamlessly integrate space and ground segments, using on-satellite edge computing capability to simulate contacts with ground infrastructure.

In order to encourage growth of the ecosystem of space companies focusing on the intersection of computing and space, Edge Computing in Space Alliance was founded between a number of companies working on variety of software and hardware products. Several online events have been held, focusing on the platform and applications for in-space processing.

As members of ECSA, Sfera Technologies and Exodus Orbitals will establish a long-term cooperation on prototyping and deploying a variety of software solutions in a space environment.

The next steps

To enhance its terrestrial data delivery architecture, Sfera Technologies will use Exodus Orbitals’ upcoming satellite platform to test and deploy prototype applications optimizing data delivery streams and security frameworks. As part of this deployment, Sfera Technologies will engage the ground station network integrated with its HomePort platform; the prototype applications will be the first milestone of a long-term development roadmap for a data delivery infrastructure for a new era.

Zdravko Dimitrov, founder of Sfera Technologies, said:

“This collaboration with Exodus Orbitals and our participation in ECSA open a new chapter in our quest to make space data more accessible to everyone. Exodus Orbitals’ platform will provide us with an environment to securely and reliably test our initial applications before rolling them out on a constellation scale. Our companies share an out-of-the-box mentality when it comes to implementing specific solutions, and it’s a pleasure to be working with Exodus on building a new generation of space software.”

Dennis Silin, founder of Exodus Orbitals:

“We are building a new and exciting way to access in-space compute and instrument capabilities without the complexity and costs usually associated with satellites launch and operations. Our collaboration with Sfera Technologies will leverage advantages of this approach and help other ambitious companies to express their ideas in commercial space exploration.”

HomePort by Sfera Technologies: https://homeport.network/

Exodus Orbitals: https://exodusorbitals.com/

Our keystone product is now available for sale. It is a software development kit to create applications that can be deployed directly on the satellite, packaged in a single Python3 library. The target audience are the developers that don’t have extensive operational experience in space domain, but have a great idea that needs satellite capabilities. Multiple satellite types and applications are supported.

Inquire for pricing info at contact@exodusorbitals.com

Our 5-minute video is here.

Read more about us: https://www.exodusorbitals.com

Read more here: