| Mission type | Earth observation, Technology demonstration |
|---|---|
| Operator | Ubotica Technologies |
| Website | 1 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Open Cosmos |
| Launch mass | <20 kg |
| Dimensions | 6U CubeSat (approx. 10x20x30 cm) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | April 1, 2023 |
| Rocket | SpaceX Falcon 9, Transporter-7 mission |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit (LEO) |
| Inclination | Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) |
CogniSAT-6 is a pioneering Earth observation satellite that marks a significant advancement in the field of space-based artificial intelligence (AI). Developed by Irish company Ubotica Technologies in collaboration with Open Cosmos, CogniSAT-6 is designed to provide "Live Earth Intelligence" by combining on-board AI processing with real-time satellite communication. This capability enables immediate analysis and action across various industries, including maritime monitoring, emergency response, and environmental management.
CogniSAT-6, a joint mission by Ubotica Technologies and Open Cosmos, is the first mission specifically designed around a new operational paradigm of autonomous and collaborative robotic remote sensing systems that leverage onboard intelligence to interact dynamically with their environment.[1] The spacecraft is a 6U CubeSat launched into a Sun Synchronous Orbit at around 500 km altitude on March 2, 2024, on SpaceX’s Transporter 10.
It carries a Simera Sense HyperScape100 hyperspectral imager and an Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) communication payload. In addition, the spacecraft carries the CogniSAT-XE2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision edge computing processor. This processing board allows the system to perform inference using neural networks on board the spacecraft as well as complex computer vision tasks.
CogniSAT-6 is also notable for its participation in the NASA New Observing Strategies (NOS) program, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of using AI for onboard science analysis and autonomous retargeting of Earth observation satellites. As described in "Demonstrating Onboard Inference for Earth Science Applications with Spectral Algorithms and Deep Learning," CogniSAT-6 will contribute to NOS by testing the performance of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for detecting and classifying scientific events such as volcanic eruptions, floods, and algal blooms.[2] This collaboration with NASA highlights the potential of CogniSAT-6 to advance scientific discovery and improve our understanding of Earth's dynamic systems.
Near Real-Time Insight Delivery
editA key feature of CogniSAT-6 is its ability to deliver insights in near real-time. Traditional Earth observation systems rely on ground stations for communication, which can cause significant delays between image capture and data delivery. This latency is exacerbated by the increasing volume of data generated by modern Earth observation sensors.
CogniSAT-6 overcomes this limitation by performing onboard processing of imagery and utilizing inter-satellite links (ISLs) for near real-time communication. This approach enables the satellite to extract valuable information from raw data and transmit it to ground stations with minimal delay, even when direct line-of-sight communication is not available.
The benefits of near real-time insight delivery are numerous. For example, in the context of maritime monitoring, CogniSAT-6 can provide timely alerts on ship movements, potential hazards, and illegal fishing activities. This information can be used to improve maritime safety, enhance surveillance efforts, and support sustainable fishing practices.
CogniSAT-6 is designed to deliver insights within 5 minutes of image capture, a significant improvement over traditional systems that can take hours or even days to process and deliver data. This near real-time capability is crucial for time-sensitive applications such as disaster response, where rapid access to information can be critical for saving lives and minimizing damage.
Mission Objectives
editCogniSAT-6's primary mission objectives include:
Demonstrating Live Earth Intelligence: The satellite showcases the ability to generate insights on-board and relay them to users in real-time, eliminating the delays associated with traditional downlinking methods. Validating On-board AI Processing: CogniSAT-6 validates the effectiveness of Ubotica's SPACE:AI framework for deploying and running AI algorithms in the challenging environment of space. Enhancing Earth Observation Capabilities: The mission aims to improve the speed, affordability, and actionability of Earth observation data by providing real-time insights and alerts.
Technology
editCogniSAT-6 leverages several key technologies:
SPACE:AI: Ubotica's software framework for developing and deploying AI models on spacecraft. Hyperspectral Imaging: The satellite is equipped with a hyperspectral imager that captures data across a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, providing detailed information about the Earth's surface. Inter-Satellite Communication: CogniSAT-6 utilizes a real-time inter-satellite communications network to relay insights to ground stations immediately. Mobile App Integration: Users can access real-time data and alerts from CogniSAT-6 through a dedicated mobile app.
Applications
editCogniSAT-6's real-time Earth intelligence has applications in various sectors:
Maritime Monitoring: Detecting and tracking vessels, monitoring fishing activities, and identifying potential hazards at sea. Emergency Response: Providing rapid situational awareness during natural disasters such as floods, wildfires, and oil spills. Environmental Monitoring: Tracking deforestation, monitoring changes in land use, and assessing the health of ecosystems. Defense and Security: Providing real-time intelligence for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes.
Launch and Operations
editCogniSAT-6 was launched on April 1, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-7 mission. The satellite was deployed into a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), providing consistent illumination for Earth observation. Ubotica Technologies operates the satellite and manages the distribution of data and insights to users.
Significance
editCogniSAT-6 represents a paradigm shift in Earth observation by demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of Live Earth Intelligence. The mission paves the way for future constellations of AI-enabled satellites that can provide continuous, real-time monitoring of our planet, enabling more informed decision-making and timely action in response to global challenges.
The development of CogniSAT-6 reflects a broader trend in the space industry towards utilizing AI for on-board processing and autonomous decision-making. This approach offers several advantages, including:
Reduced data transmission costs: By processing data on-board, CogniSAT-6 minimizes the amount of data that needs to be transmitted to ground stations, reducing downlink costs and latency. Improved responsiveness: Real-time processing allows for immediate detection and response to events, enhancing the effectiveness of applications such as disaster monitoring and maritime surveillance. Increased autonomy: On-board AI enables the satellite to adapt to changing conditions and make intelligent decisions without relying on constant communication with ground stations. These benefits are crucial for advancing Earth observation capabilities and addressing the growing demand for timely and actionable insights about our planet.
See also
editUbotica Technologies Open Cosmos Artificial intelligence in space Earth observation satellite
References
edit- ^ Rijlaarsdam, David; Hendrix, Tom; Gonzalez, Pablo T. Toledano; Velasco-Mata, Alberto; Buckley, Léonie; Puig Miquel, Juan; Casaled, Oriol Aragon; Dunne, Aubrey; Kynes, Brendan (2023-03-21). "The Next Era for Earth Observation Spacecraft: An Overview of CogniSAT-6" (PDF). TechRxiv. doi:10.36227/techrxiv.22556866.v3.
- ^ Zilberstein, Itai; Candela, Alberto; Chien, Steve; Rijlaarsdam, David; Hendrix, Tom; Buckley, Léonie; Dunne, Aubrey (August 2024). Demonstrating Onboard Inference for Earth Science Applications with Spectral Algorithms and Deep Learning (PDF). Conference on Science Understanding through Data Science. Pasadena, California.