The PhiSat-1 satellite contains a new hyperspectral-thermal camera and an AI smart camera chip, Intel said. PhiSat-1 is one of a pair of satellites on a mission to monitor polar ice and soil moisture, while also testing intersatellite communication systems, it said. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), PhiSat-1 (Ф-sat-1) is the first experiment to demonstrate how artificial intelligence can be used for Earth observation, filtering out less than perfect images so that only usable data are returned to Earth. PhiSat-1 was launched in early September on the Arianespace SSMS rideshare mission.

The Frontier Development Lab (FDL) Europe applies AI technologies to science to push the frontiers of research and develop new tools to help solve some of the biggest challenges that humanity faces. These range from the effects of climate change to predicting space weather, from improving disaster response, to identifying meteorites that could hold the key to the history of our universe. FDL brings researchers from the cutting-edge of AI and data science, and teams them up with their counterparts from the space sector for an intensive eight-week research sprint, based on a range of challenge areas. The results far exceed what any individual could develop in the same time period, or even in years of individual research. A key aspect of our success is the careful formation of small interdisciplinary teams focused on tackling specific challenges.

Advances in technology for observing the earth from space have resulted in the formation of a new company which will bring a range of innovative satellite intelligence and data services to market. With offices in Bristol, UK and in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 4 Earth Intelligence has been established to focus on new sectors and technical innovations using machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to provide smart data – in particular for global environmental applications. "Over the years our technical team has been at the forefront of the development of new techniques in machine learning and Artificial Intelligence used to process data collected by satellites which are equipped with increasingly sophisticated sensors," says David Critchley, CEO, 4 Earth Intelligence. "Having witnessed an exponential increase in the demand for new solutions to address a variety of issues affecting the planet we will lead the way in the use of space and remote sensing technologies to address challenges such as climate change, pollution and population pressure." With several flagship projects already completed around the world, the company has set a new course and 4 Earth Intelligence will capitalise on this pioneering work.

A new CIMON for the International Space Station (ISS): CIMON-2 (Crew Interactive MObile companioN) lifted off on its journey into space on 5 December 2019. This modified version of the astronaut assistant has been equipped for new tasks and was developed and built in Germany. Like its predecessor, CIMON-2 will be deployed in the Columbus European research module. CIMON is a free-flying, spherical technology demonstrator for human-machine interaction and features artificial intelligence. "CIMON-1 – our prototype – landed back on Earth on 27 August 2019 after spending 14 months on the ISS, and has now arrived at Airbus in Friedrichshafen," says Dr Christian Karrasch, CIMON Project Manager at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) Space Administration in Bonn.

Kleos Space S.A., a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data provider, has signed a binding MOU with EarthLab Luxembourg S.A. to examine collaboration opportunities for the use of Kleos RF Reconnaissance and Geolocation data for the insurance sector and for other different geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) purposes. EarthLab was the first European centre established for environment monitoring dedicated to industrial and environmental risk. With partners Telespazio France, e-GEOS, the wholly state-owned postal and telecommunications company, POST Luxembourg and the SME HITEC Luxembourg, through its Max-ICS platform it provides earth observation, geo-spatial information and risk assessment data analytics to improve operational and strategic decision making for the insurance, reinsurance, investment fund industries and the related market segments. Kleos and EarthLab aim to utilise geolocation and activity-based intelligence data from the Kleos' Scouting Mission* and further Kleos satellite launches to enhance EarthLab's geospatial intelligence analytics, allowing EarthLab to verify radar detections and optical observations. Collaboration opportunities include the opportunity to develop a value-add proposition for current and future EarthLab Maritime business line prospects using Kleos data, develop a commercial procurement strategy and the potential to implement two laboratory scenarios to validate the technical usability of the data and the mutual commercial strategy.