Phi-Sat-2 (also known as ɸ-Sat-2) is an Earth observation CubeSat mission from the European Space Agency (ESA) capable of running AI apps directly on board. What makes Phi-Sat-2 particularly noteworthy is its utilization of the NanoSat MO Framework, a modular and open-source platform designed for small satellite missions.[1]
Names | ɸ-Sat-2, Phi-Sat-2 |
---|---|
Mission type | Technological Demonstrator / Earth Observation |
Operator | ESA |
Website | https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Phsat-2 |
Spacecraft properties | |
Bus | 6U CubeSat |
Manufacturer | Open Cosmos, CGI, Ubotica, Simera CH Innovative, CEiiA, GEO-K and KP Labs |
Dimensions | approx. 100 mm × 200 mm × 300 mm (3.9 in × 7.9 in × 11.8 in) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | August, 16 2024 |
Rocket | Falcon 9 |
Launch site | Vandenberg, California, US |
Contractor | SpaceX |
Orbital parameters | |
Regime | Low Earth |
Inclination | Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO)[1] |
The NanoSat MO Framework enhances the satellite's flexibility and adaptability, allowing for efficient integration of AI technologies into its operational workflow through Apps that can be installed on-board. The AI Apps will be able to do different activities such as transforming a satellite image to a street map, detecting clouds, detect and classify maritime vessels, and to perform image compression using AI.[1][2]
Mission Consortium
editThe ɸ-Sat-2 mission consortium is composed of the following companies:
Spacecraft Payload
editThe mission includes the following payload devices:
- On-board Computer from Open Cosmos
- Multi-spectral Optical Camera from Simera CH Innovative (expected 4.75 m ground resolution)
- AI processor: Intel Movidius Myriad 2 from Ubotica[5][1]
The AI technology used in the mission is based on the Intel Movidius Myriad 2 vision processing unit, which is designed to provide high-performance, low-power processing for computer vision applications. The Myriad 2 is integrated into the spacecraft and is used to process and analyze the images captured by the hyperspectral camera in near real-time. The AI processor was already adopted on the previous Phi-Sat-1 mission.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "ESA - Next artificial intelligence mission selected". ESA. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ Pastena, Massimiliano; Melega, Nicola (2021). "Overview of Esa Earth Observation Cubesats Missions". In Neeck, Steven P.; Kimura, Toshiyoshi; Babu, Sachidananda R.; Hélière, Arnaud (eds.). Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXV. SPIE. p. 30. doi:10.1117/12.2597557. ISBN 9781510645608. S2CID 239079888. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "GEO-K is partner of ɸ-Sat-2! The ESA Artificial Intelligence Earth Observation Mission". GEO-K. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "KP Labs top 10 in 2020". KP Labs. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Europe is falling behind in AI, we need to launch our second machine learning-powered satellite soon, says ESA". The Register. Retrieved 5 December 2021.