Phi-Sat-2

Phi-Sat-2 (also known as ɸ-Sat-2) is an Earth observation CubeSat mission from the European Space Agency (ESA) platform capable of running AI apps directly on board. What makes Phi-Sat-2 particularly noteworthy is its utilization of the NanoSat MO Framework, a modular and open-source platform designed for small satellite missions.[1]

ɸ-Sat-2 [1]
Namesɸ-Sat-2, Phi-Sat-2
Mission typeTechnological Demonstrator / Earth Observation
OperatorESA
WebsiteESA ɸ-Sat-2[1]
Spacecraft properties
Bus6U CubeSat
ManufacturerOpen Cosmos, CGI, Ubotica, Simera CH Innovative, CEiiA, GEO-K and KP Labs
Dimensionsapprox. 100 mm × 200 mm × 300 mm
(3.9 in × 7.9 in × 11.8 in)
Start of mission
Launch date16 months after contract negotiations[1]
Orbital parameters
RegimeLow Earth
InclinationSun-synchronous orbit (SSO)[1]
 

The NanoSat MO Framework enhances the satellite's flexibility and adaptability, allowing for efficient integration of AI technologies into its operational workflow through Apps that can be installed on-board. The AI Apps will be able to do different activities such as transforming a satellite image to a street map, detecting clouds, detect and classify maritime vessels, and to perform image compression using AI.[1][2]

Mission Consortium

The ɸ-Sat-2 mission consortium is composed of the following companies:

  • Open Cosmos
  • CGI
  • Ubotica
  • Simera CH Innovative
  • CEiiA
  • GEO-K[3]
  • KP Labs[4]

Payload and Communications

The mission includes the following payload devices:

  • On-board Computer from Open Cosmos
  • Multi-spectral Optical Camera from Simera CH Innovative (expected 4.75 m ground resolution)
  • AI processor: Intel Movidius Myriad 2 from Ubotica[5][1]

The AI technology used in the mission is based on the Intel Movidius Myriad 2 vision processing unit, which is designed to provide high-performance, low-power processing for computer vision applications. The Myriad 2 is integrated into the spacecraft and is used to process and analyze the images captured by the hyperspectral camera in near real-time. The AI processor was already adopted on the previous Phi-Sat-1 mission.[5]

See also

References
  1. "ESA - Next artificial intelligence mission selected". ESA. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  2. Pastena, Massimiliano; Melega, Nicola (2021). "Overview of Esa Earth Observation Cubesats Missions". In Neeck, Steven P.; Kimura, Toshiyoshi; Babu, Sachidananda R.; Hélière, Arnaud (eds.). Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXV. SPIE. p. 30. doi:10.1117/12.2597557. ISBN 9781510645608. S2CID 239079888. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  3. "GEO-K is partner of ɸ-Sat-2! The ESA Artificial Intelligence Earth Observation Mission". GEO-K. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  4. "KP Labs top 10 in 2020". KP Labs. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  5. "Europe is falling behind in AI, we need to launch our second machine learning-powered satellite soon, says ESA". The Register. Retrieved 5 December 2021.


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