Ф-sat-1 is ready for launch
ESA is preparing to launch ɸ-sat-1 into orbit, the first European artificial intelligence ground observation mission.
The Agency details that the mission will be launched into space on June 19, from the Spaceport of Kourou, in French Guiana, aboard the Vega VV16 rocket.
The first artificial intelligence to be carried onboard a European Earth observation mission will be launched this week from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The pioneering artificial intelligence technology named ɸ-sat-1, pronounced PhiSat-1, will be the first experiment to improve the efficiency of sending vast quantities of data back to Earth.
Earth-observing satellites are delivering a wealth of data on a daily basis, not only to understand how our planet works, but also for use in a myriad of practical applications to improve our lives. With today’s need to understand, monitor and address the current climate crisis, the demand for efficient data is more essential than ever.
ɸ-sat-1 is designed to improve the efficiency of the process of sending large amounts of data from Space to Earth and reduce the high costs of observation missions on our planet.
The technological brain behind the operations will be included in the Federated Satellite Systems mission (FSSCat), a set of two CubeSats, both with a size similar to that of a shoe box.
By combining AI with a hyperspectral camera in one of the CubeSats, the mission will be able to capture images that will allow scientists to monitor changes in vegetation and water quality on Earth, as well as helping to understand the role of soil water loss by evaporation in climate change.
