Draft:MANTIS AI Satellite

MANTIS
Mission typeEarth observation, Technology demonstration
OperatorOpen Cosmos
Website1
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerOpen Cosmos
Launch mass14.5 kg
Dimensions12U CubeSat (approx. 20x20x30 cm)
Start of mission
Launch dateNovember 11, 2023
RocketSpaceX Falcon 9, Transporter-9 mission
Launch siteVandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
Orbital parameters
RegimeLow Earth orbit (LEO)
InclinationSun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at 525 km altitude

MANTIS (Mission Agile Nanosatellite for Terrestrial Imagery Services) is a 12U CubeSat Earth observation mission focused on providing high-resolution imagery for the energy and mining industries. Launched on November 11, 2023, as part of SpaceX's Transporter-9 mission, MANTIS is a commercial endeavor developed under the UKSA-supported ESA-InCubed program, which fosters innovation in the space sector.

Mission Overview

edit

MANTIS is designed to address the challenges of monitoring remote and hostile environments where energy and mining resources are often located. The satellite offers a unique combination of high-resolution imaging, super-resolution technology, and onboard artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver valuable insights for these industries.

The mission consortium comprises several key players:

Open Cosmos: Leads the consortium and is responsible for the satellite platform, mission operations, and data platform (DataCosmos). SATLANTIS: Provides the iSIM90 high-resolution multispectral imager with binocular configuration and super-resolution capabilities. Ubotica: Contributes onboard AI algorithms for cloud detection, enhancing mission efficiency by discarding cloudy images. Ingeniars: Supports the development of onboard AI capabilities.

Technology

edit

MANTIS leverages several key technologies to achieve its mission objectives:

High-Resolution Imaging: The SATLANTIS iSIM90 imager captures images with a native ground sampling distance (GSD) of 3.5 meters in four spectral bands (RGB and NIR) and a 13 km swath. Super-Resolution: SATLANTIS's proprietary UHR algorithm enhances the GSD to 2.2/3 meters in the final super-resolved image, providing sharper and more detailed imagery. Onboard AI: Ubotica's AI cloud detection algorithm automatically filters out cloudy images, optimizing downlink resources and improving overall mission efficiency. DataCosmos: Open Cosmos's data platform facilitates data storage, processing, and distribution to end-users.

Applications

edit

MANTIS's high-resolution imagery and onboard AI capabilities have applications in various sectors, including:

Energy: Monitoring pipelines, oil and gas fields, and renewable energy infrastructure. Mining: Surveying mining sites, assessing environmental impact, and supporting operational efficiency. Infrastructure: Inspecting critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways. Agriculture: Monitoring crop health, optimizing irrigation, and assessing land use.

Mission Status

edit

As of September 2024, MANTIS has successfully completed its In-Orbit Commissioning Review (IOCR) and is undergoing payload calibration. Over 500 GB of data has been downloaded since the end of the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP). The operational phase is expected to commence in the second half of 2024.

References

edit

Vallez, N.; Rodriguez-Bobanda, R.; Dunne, A.; Espinosa-Aranda, J.L.; Suarez, O.D. (September 2024). MANTIS, A 12U Smallsat Mission Taking Advantage of Super-Resolution and Artificial Intelligence for High-Resolution Imagery. 1st joint European Space Agency SPAICE Conference / IAA Conference on AI in and for Space. [MANTIS - ESA InCubed] [MANTIS Combining Earth Observation and Artificial Intelligence to address the challenges in the energy and mining sector]