We are pleased to highlight an advancement in Earth Observation (EO) technology, achieved through the collaboration between SATLANTIS and Dotphoton. ESA supported this partnership, which led to enhanced satellite imaging capabilities and demonstrated the commercial potential of innovative EO solutions.
Tripling Imaging Capacity with Jetraw Core
In April 2024, SATLANTIS successfully integrated Dotphoton’s Jetraw Core compression technology into its GEISAT Precursor satellite via a remote firmware upgrade. This cutting-edge technology preserves critical image fidelity and full real resolution, a crucial factor for modern AI image processing pipelines. As a result, the satellite’s image acquisition capacity has tripled, expanding its daily surface coverage to an impressive 175,000 km². This leap in performance sets new benchmarks in the EO sector, demonstrating the commercial viability of advanced compression technologies.
Enhancing Environmental Monitoring and Sustainability
Launched in June 2023, the GEISAT Precursor satellite is equipped with the iSIM-90 VNIR SWIR camera, providing high-resolution Earth Observation capabilities. It plays a pivotal role in environmental monitoring, particularly in tracking greenhouse gas emissions from various sectors. The integration of Jetraw Core has boosted the satellite’s efficiency, enabling more extensive and accurate data collection.
The GEISAT Precursor’s inclusion in the Copernicus programme, the Earth Observation component of the European Union, further underscores its strategic importance. As part of the Atmospheric Composition domain, the satellite and the advancements brought by Jetraw Core align with ESA’s commitment to sustainability and the development of EO technologies that contribute to a better understanding of our planet’s atmosphere and environmental health.
Commercial Benefits and Market Impact
The collaboration between SATLANTIS and Dotphoton exemplifies the commercial benefits of integrating innovative technologies into EO missions. The enhanced imaging capacity and data quality provided by Jetraw Core offer advantages for various industries, including agriculture, fossil fuels, and infrastructure monitoring. By improving data throughput and reducing bandwidth requirements, this technology not only lowers operational costs but also enhances the overall effectiveness of EO services (increased imaging capacity, improved data quality, and greater sustainability).
Furthermore, Dotphoton offers Jetraw an image data management platform that further extends the benefits of Jetraw Core, enabling efficient on-the-ground data management to reduce cloud storage costs and accelerate data access and transfer. This end-to-end solution provides a seamless pipeline from image acquisition to ground-based management, maximizing operational efficiency.
Sustainability and the future for EO
The integration of Jetraw Core has also led to a significant reduction in the satellite’s carbon footprint, aligning with ESA’s broader goals of promoting sustainable space operations. By emitting three times less CO2 per square km of satellite imagery, SATLANTIS is setting a new standard for environmentally responsible EO practices. This achievement underscores the importance of sustainability in the commercial space sector and highlights the role of innovative technologies in achieving these goals.
José Achache, chairman of Dotphoton and former architect of the Copernicus Programme, ESA’s Earth Observation programme, shared: “The demand for higher spatial and spectral resolution in Earth Observation results in overwhelming and costly data volumes. We’re tackling this by incorporating Jetraw Core raw image compression into next-generation satellites, ensuring uncompromised image quality. Dotphoton’s technology enhances data quality for AI analysis, improves efficiency, and promotes a more sustainable approach to space imagery. We’re proud to advance Earth Observation through this collaboration with a forward-thinking company like SATLANTIS”.
The collaboration between SATLANTIS and Dotphoton marks a milestone in the commercial EO landscape. By enhancing satellite performance and data quality, this partnership drives the industry forward, creating new business opportunities and promoting sustainability. ESA supports these advancements, essential for the EO sector’s growth and success.
