NSSPI awarded €7.9m under Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund to further Ireland’s orbital ambitions

Consortium's projects include autonomous satellites and spacecraft control through AI

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The National Space Subsystems and Payloads Initiative (NSSPI) consortium has been awarded a grant worth more than €7.9 million to develop sustainable space technology that encompasses optical communications in space, autonomous satellites, spacecraft, payload modelling, simulation and test research support.

One consortium member is satellite space AI company Ubotica Technologies has received funding from the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF).

Space AI powers autonomous satellites and spacecraft. Conventional earth observation (EO) offers snapshots which need post-processing to see insights. EO does not support immediate decisions in situations like environmental shifts, natural calamities, or security issues. 

Instead of static snapshots, space AI provides a live stream of insights generated onboard through a stack of edge AI technology that can perform inference on diverse inputs such as optical, hyperspectral, and radar data.

With space AI, developers can deploy a wide range of applications and models on satellites. These orbital AI applications will generate real-time autonomous decisions and insights, removing the need to downlink and process copious amounts of data on Earth.

Fintan Buckley, chief executive officer, Ubotica Technologies, said: “Advances in space technology are progressing at an astonishing speed and we are excited to be at the forefront at this important time for space innovation.”

As of late November 2023, €364 million has been awarded to 103 projects and consortiums across Ireland.

TechCentral Reporters

Read More: DTIF Ubotica