On 14 January 2025, at 20:09 CET, three InCubed-enabled satellites – FOREST-3, Sky-Bee-1 and AIX – have been launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, showing ESA’s commitment to fostering industry partnerships and driving innovation in Earth Observation technologies.
The development of these satellites was enabled by the European Space Agency’s Earth Observation InCubed programme, managed by ESA Φ-lab, that focuses on developing innovative and commercially viable products and services that generate or exploit the value of Earth Observation imagery and datasets.
AIX: AI in Orbit
Developed by Planetek Italia, in collaboration with D-Orbit and AIKO, AIX redefines satellite capabilities with its innovative “satellite-as-a-service” model, providing customers with the flexibility to design and test AI applications directly in orbit. AIX offers on-demand access to in-orbit resources, delivering data and actionable insights while allowing users to customise their own acquisition and processing workflows. This adaptable platform empowers businesses and researchers to harness the potential of space-based AI solutions efficiently and effectively.
FOREST-3 and its Wildfire Detection
FOREST-3, a nanosatellite developed by Germany-based OroraTech, is the precursor of a constellation that addresses a crucial problem in thermal-infrared satellite data coverage – it is often limited in the afternoon local time. Timely wildfire detection and real-time monitoring are critical to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and minimising environmental and urban damage. Equipped with an advanced multispectral thermal-infrared camera and upgraded hardware, FOREST-3 enhances wildfire detection during afternoon hours, ensuring long-term orbital thermal imaging for more effective monitoring.
Sky-Bee-1: Monitoring Crops and Climate
constellr developed Sky-Bee-1, the first satellite in the High-precision Versatile Ecosphere (HiVE) constellation. It helps in monitoring crop health to optimise yields, detects weaknesses in transport networks during extreme weather events, and identifies heat islands, contributing to the design of more sustainable, climate-adaptive cities.
InCubed and Industry Collaboration
The three satellites demonstrate the successful collaboration between InCubed and the industry, introducing innovative services and products to the Earth Observation market and focusing on thermal-infrared technology and in-orbit processing. These advancements enable new services for both institutional and private customers, supporting critical applications such as wildfire detection, agriculture, asset monitoring, and more.
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