A low earth orbit laboratory will test innovative workflows for Earth observation. Financed by PNRR funds, the In-Orbit Space Lab will be developed by Planetek Italia, D-Orbit and AIKO, to support the activities of the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
The Italian Space Agency (ASI) will use PNRR funding for Earth Observation projects: the empowerment of the Matera Space Centre and the development of an orbital laboratory called In-Orbit Space Lab. The aim is to offer support for the development of Earth observation with tools and services suitable for research, but also for the experimental development of applications that are accessible to both expert users and new players.
"In-Orbit Space Lab" is a distributed laboratory that includes a space segment, initially consisting of a low-orbit satellite equipped with observation instruments and a processing environment capable of dynamically loading and executing algorithms and neural networks developed on the ground, and a development environment that will be installed at the Space Centre in Matera. Users of the laboratory will be able to access Earth observation instruments, on-board high-performance computers, and services and applications already available as building blocks, which can also be distributed on different in orbit platforms.
In-Orbit Space Lab' is ASI's first 'multi-purpose' system, reconfigurable during its operational life and capable of demonstrating scenarios based on real-time data processing directly on board. The information will thus be processed, possibly integrated with navigation, telecommunication and positioning data and services, also with the help of Artificial Intelligence technologies, and made immediately expendable on the ground, satisfying the increasingly current user demand for rapid and direct access to information that is truly useful in users' workflows.
The In-Orbit Space Lab will be developed by the Temporary Grouping of Companies formed by Planetek Italia (Prime), D-Orbit, and AIKO.
Planetek Italia is in charge of the overall integration of the entire system and the development of the software ecosystem, including an innovative Space App Store, which will guarantee true integration between ground and on-board systems, thus supporting a seamless multi-directional flow of data and information.
D-Orbit is responsible for the construction and launch of the ION satellite platform that will provide the orbital infrastructure required for data capture, on-board processing and development environment.
AIKO takes care of the advanced automation of the mission, through its on-board software products for payload data processing and orchestration of the various applications running on board the platform.
The Space Lab will therefore provide an opportunity to rethink the processes for producing information useful to end users, reducing time-to-market, and supporting the sustainability of commercial operators and technology providers.
Moreover, with a view to the future, 'In-Orbit Space Lab' lays the foundations for the creation of co-operating satellites and satellite constellations, both in terms of sharing data and computing resources and services directly in orbit, thanks to inter-satellite links.
