SmartSat has signed a new agreement with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Φ-lab to collaborate on Earth Observation (EO) research.
The European Space Agency’s Φ-lab is a research center with a mission to accelerate the future of Earth Observation through transformational innovations and new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and onboard processing.
The agreement builds upon SmartSat’s existing relationship with Φ-lab, who supported cosine to develop the HyperScout imager payload. This payload is currently being integrated into the SmartSat-led South Australian Kanyini satellite, following consultations with Φ-lab regarding its Φ-sat-1 satellite mission. The synergies between these missions offer significant collaboration opportunities between SmartSat and Φ-lab regarding onboard intelligence for EO applications, creating a solid foundation for further research activities under the new agreement.
SmartSat CEO Professor Andy Koronios, who signed the agreement in Rome, said, “We have identified new collaboration opportunities between researchers at the Queensland University of Technology and Φ-lab to develop advanced AI capabilities using hyperspectral satellite imagery. This will create the next generation of predictive intelligence that can forecast and monitor agricultural and environmental activities and disaster events with greater accuracy.”
As part of the new agreement, SmartSat and Φ-lab plan to establish an exchange program for research personnel and SmartSat PhD students to undertake internships at Φ-lab.
