Start-up Spiral Blue wants space computers to revolutionize access to Earth observation data

An Australian starter has launched two computers on a small satellite to test the orbital processing of Earth observation images, hoping to make information from space more accessible.

Sydney-based Spiral Blue Launch of two Space Edge Zeros Computer in low earth orbit as part of Virgin Orbit tubular bell Part 1 The founders of the company said the technology could lead to groundbreaking applications, automatically tracking rogue ships in distant waters in the future, finding lost planes and even the poorest farmers. We think we can enjoy the view from above.

At the heart of Space Edge Zero technology is the powerful Jetson Nano chip built by Nvidia, which can run complex artificial intelligence algorithms. For around $ 120 each, and only 2.7 x 1.7 inches (7 x 4.5 centimeters), the chip is light enough, yet powerful enough for Spiral Blue to test spatial image processing for the first time. .

SpiralBlue CEO Taofiq Huq told Space.com that the computers in Polisth Sat Revolution’s two CubeSats will expand the use of Earth observation data, reduce the cost of space information, and provide that knowledge. He said it could be affordable for users. In developed countries.

Relationship: Photo: A beautiful image of Earth from space

Unnecessary image

“Today, satellites cannot send as much data as they can collect,” Huq said. “It’s like being in the middle of the countryside, having a bad cell phone connection and trying to upload a picture somewhere.”

Recent “satellite photos” are processed by powerful ground computers. Smart algorithms can detect and count various characteristics such as the number of cars, the number of solar panels, and even cracks in water pipes. The problem is, a lot of images are wasted. According to Huq, Earth observation companies prioritize images of top-selling areas, so data is not accessible in less popular areas.

“If you are in the middle of the country or in a second class city, you will not be able to access these images,” he said. “You will have to ask them to take pictures especially for you, and it will be quite expensive. “

Instead of sending a large image file, Spiral Blue wants to send to the ground only the information that the user really needs.

“For example, if you are sent to the countryside to count sheep, we don’t take a photo of every sheep and send it back,” Huq said. “Just count your brain and send that number back.” That’s the idea. “

Space-appropriate computer

Processing Earth observation images in space was never possible, as the technology just wasn’t ready for the task. According to Huq, it’s not just the size and weight of computer hardware that has only recently decreased. Space computer It is exposed to extreme radiation which can quickly damage electronic components. The electronics inside the satellite also have to cope with high mechanical forces at launch and may need to survive. Temperature fluctuation 140 to minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit (60 to minus 160 degrees Celsius).

“Computers have always been difficult in space due to the effects of radiation,” Huq said. “You can’t buy an Nvidia computer from Amazon and put it in space. You need radiation resistance and a material that can handle heat issues. All of this is very expensive and has limited processing power. There is a possibility. “.”

Spiral Blue will test the proper functioning of technology developed by SatRevolution to protect Nvidia-based computers over the next few months after completing a satellite test.

Spatial application

Huq said that in the end, Blue Spiral will provide a platform for Earth Observation data processing software developers to download apps to satellites, much like people put apps on cellphones. and computers. I did.

Users can count, for example, solar panels in areas of interest or ships in remote areas of the ocean. Instead of downloading all the images, the satellite only reports the real information. As a result, satellites will turn more images into marketable information.

“The main advantage is that the information is significantly cheaper,” Huq said. “If we can significantly increase the capacity of our satellites, we can spread the initial cost over more products, which will allow us to deliver satellites at a much lower cost while making a profit. “

Huq, now an Australian citizen, Bangladesh, A South Asian country suffering from extreme poverty. His vision is to make Earth observation products affordable and available to smallholders in the country of birth.

“Whenever I visit Bangladesh, I go to the countryside and meet all the self-sufficient farmers,” Huq said. “And, as you know, I think the US Landsat or European Sentinel programs are all designed for Western countries. They are not really applicable for use in developing countries. The poorest. Even farmers can use the information directly on their own, or agronomists can come and offer it as a service to improve their prosperity. “

Find lost planes and pursue fraudulent ships

Spiral Blue recently received Grant of $ 416,250 From the Australian Space Agency to develop space image processing technology. Previously, the company worked with Australian authorities to Vessel detection It autonomously Find a ship Other ships in the vast Australian waters.

“Australia has vast maritime borders,” said Huq. “Some 10% of the Earth’s surface is within Australia’s maritime territory. As a result, the country experiences the following major problems: Illegal fishing Drug smuggling. “

Satellites regularly fly over the vast Australian waters, but downloading the images obtained with these trajectories is not efficient.

“We are doing manual image processing for this project and we are looking at images of the ocean to find the ship,” Huq said. “I think I saw about 400,000 images, but only 8,000 were actually on the ship. I don’t have the money to take a picture of the sea in the sky. But there is a little boat somewhere. There may be ships, or they may be in trouble, and you just miss them. ”

The application that Spiral Blue wants to develop automatically detects ships on satellite and sends data for further processing to see which ships are operating illegally or out of their path. This app will also be useful in the future if another plane goes missing in the vast waters of the continent. Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 He probably did in 2014. Major research campaign Thanks to the use of state-of-the-art underwater robots, no trace of the plane was found miles deep.

“The satellite definitely flew over the area where the plane landed,” Huq said. “But at that point, no one could do anything about it.”

Huq hopes that if this technology works, the entire constellation of small satellites equipped with Space Edge computers will not only constantly monitor the Earth, but will soon be orbiting the Earth. Other Earth Observation Companies It provides fast information without having to compete for rare data download opportunities.

Spiral Blue plans to send the next payload to space on the SatRevolution CubeSat in December this year, Huq said he also signed an Argentina-based contract. Satellogic Launch a more powerful computer based on the Nvidia Jetson Xavier NX chip and place it on the satellite in March 2022 with a resolution of 28 inches / pixel (70 cm). The current payload on both SatRevolution CubeSats is processing the image. 16 feet (5 m) per pixel resolution.

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