South Australian artificial intelligence (AI) company AICRAFT has been contracted by leading European imaging company Scanway Space to deliver edge computing module for integration in their advanced space optical payload to detect methane plumes.
Scanway Space will develop and supply a dual optical payload to South Korean company NARA Space Technology as part of the NarSha project – Korea’s first constellation of microsatellites for methane monitoring.
AICRAFT’s edge computing module will be integrated directly into the advanced optical payload for processing visible, near-infrared and short-wave infrared data for methane plume detection directly on orbit.
The edge computing device will be a tailored version of AICRAFT’s flagship data handling unit called Pulsar, featuring complementary high-speed interfaces for the particular imagers and NARA Space Technology’s satellite bus.
In addition, AICRAFT’s precise cloud coverage estimation and fast compression algorithms will be used for optimal data downlink and more efficient customer service.
AICRAFT’s CEO Dr Tony Scoleri commented, “We are extremely excited about our partnership with Scanway Space, and this project is the first outcome of our collaboration. We look forward to contributing to the climate change remediation in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.”
Scanway Space’s COO Mikolaj Podgorski said, “Working with AICRAFT is enabling us to deliver a unique payload for the NarSha project with much flexibility to process many types of imagery data effectively. We are excited to explore what can be achieved on-board the satellite that would help on Earth.”
