InCubed satellites launched to drive innovation in Earth observation

InCubed satellites launched to drive innovation in Earth observation
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Jan 15, 2025

Three satellites from ESA's InCubed programme have launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, demonstrating the agency's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the commercial space sector.

The InCubed initiative, which stands for 'Investing in Industrial Innovation,' is managed by ESA's Pi-lab and focuses on advancing commercially viable technologies that leverage Earth observation imagery and data. By supporting the creation of novel products and services, the programme helps businesses bring forward solutions with global applications.

On January 14, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket deployed multiple small and nano satellites, including the three InCubed missions, into Sun-synchronous orbits. Notably, one of these satellites is designed to enhance wildfire detection, a crucial capability given the devastating wildfires recently affecting northern Los Angeles.

Giuseppe Borghi, Head of ESA f-lab, emphasized the importance of this launch, stating: "The three satellites are the perfect example of the positive and efficient cooperation between the InCubed programme and industry. All three satellites bring innovative services and products to the Earth observation market in the thermal-infrared and in-orbit processing domains, enabling new services for institutional and private customers and supporting crucial applications in wildfire detection, farming, asset monitoring and more."

The launched satellites include:

AIX

Developed by Planetek Italia with ESA's support, AIX, or AI-express, enables smart in-orbit data processing. This 'satellite as-a-service' platform offers resources like data and actionable insights to customers. By allowing users to configure their acquisition and processing workflows, AIX provides a testing ground for advanced technologies, including AI and blockchain, in space.

Forest-3

Forest-3, developed by OroraTech in Germany with ESA's backing, focuses on wildfire detection. Its thermal-infrared imager addresses a critical gap in satellite coverage during peak wildfire ignition hours, typically in the afternoon. By complementing existing missions, Forest-3 enhances monitoring capabilities. The satellite's advanced multispectral thermal-infrared camera and hardware also support extended operations, benefiting customers like insurance providers and governments.

Hive

Created by constellr with ESA's assistance, Hive uses thermal-infrared instruments to gather land surface temperature data. This information supports diverse applications, such as monitoring crop health in agriculture, identifying vulnerabilities in infrastructure during extreme weather, and aiding urban planners in designing sustainable cities.

These missions underscore ESA's role in bridging industry and innovation, offering critical tools for addressing global challenges through Earth observation technologies.