KaleidEO Space Systems Achieves Groundbreaking Edge Computing Milestone in Space

• ByStartupStory     |    September 13, 2023

Bengaluru-based startup KaleidEO Space Systems, a subsidiary of SatSure Analytics India Pvt Ltd, has achieved a significant technological milestone by becoming the first Indian company to demonstrate edge computing in space. The achievement involves real-time analysis of imagery captured by an orbiting satellite, marking a groundbreaking advancement in space data analytics.

The successful demonstration utilized deep learning-based algorithms to analyze imagery in orbit, sourced from satellites operated by Satellogic, a satellite constellation, and data provider based in Uruguay. KaleidEO collaborated with Spiral Blue, an Australian startup, to provide the necessary hardware and implementation support for this pioneering project.

KaleidEO’s edge algorithms cover a range of functions, including cloud detection, road network, and building footprint identification, water-body detection, and image template matching for change detection. This achievement paves the way for KaleidEO’s own ambitious mission to launch four satellites in 2025, each equipped with edge computing capabilities.

Rashmit Singh Sukhmani, Co-founder and CTO of SatSure, expressed the significance of this achievement, stating, “It is an important moment for SatSure and the Indian Space industry as KaleidEO becomes the first Indian company to unlock the potential of Edge computing in space. This capability will enable us to address national security needs, real-time disaster response by governments and revolutionize the way we collect, process, analyze and downlink imagery and insights from satellite data for the benefit of all.”

As part of the demonstration, a novel engineering pipeline showcased the seamless processing of images and data movement. The efficiency gains were substantial, achieving speeds nearly 80 times faster with data volume reduction of approximately 99%, leading to reduced downlink costs. Notably, this achievement was accomplished with sub-meter resolution imagery, a challenge due to the handling of larger-sized images.

Arpan Kumar Sahoo, COO at KaleidEO, highlighted the significance of this achievement, saying, “We are thrilled to witness our groundbreaking achievement in Edge computing in space. This milestone reflects our commitment to innovation and our dedication to revolutionizing the space data analytics domain. With this technological advancement, we’re not only propelling India onto the global stage but also empowering governments and industries to make informed decisions by increasing the value of information generated per bit.”

KaleidEO is planning an aerial test of its high-resolution high-swath optical and multi-spectral payload next month, a critical step toward commencing satellite and payload manufacturing. SatSure recently announced the closure of its Series A financing round, with a significant portion of the funding dedicated to supporting KaleidEO’s pioneering efforts. The firm currently serves a diverse range of use cases, including farmer financial inclusion, rural debt service management, mortgage loan monitoring, hyperlocal sales intelligence, aeronautical data management, vegetation monitoring for utilities, construction change detection, and commodities procurement intelligence.

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