AI satellite module up in space

An innovative ‘edge computing’ device for space applications, developed by local artificial intelligence (AI) startup AICRAFT, based at the Flinders New Venture Institute (NVI), has been launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India this month.

The countdown was viewed live at the Tonsley Flinders University campus by AICRAFT and NVI staff, special guests from the Australian Space Agency, SmartSat CRC, Department for Trade and Investment, Defence Science and Technology Group, CSIRO and Flinders University’s Australian Industrial Transformation Institute and students based at Flinders Tonsley.

The AICRAFT edge computing module for space applications

Before the countdown, AICRAFT CEO Dr Tony Scoleri gave a short presentation to introduce the device and its novel capability before talking about the launch of the JANUS-1 satellite from Antaris Inc and the mission.

The AICRAFT edge computing module, named Pulsar, will perform ultra-fast processing of space data using AI at lowest power consumption, aiming to set a record for big data processing in orbit.

“In our preliminary tests on the ground, we have demonstrated the ability to classify 1250 images of Earth Observation data in about 10 seconds,” Dr Scoleri says.

“This was achieved using the device in low-power mode which the company expects to enable 24/7 computation, even on ‘shoebox size’ nanosatellites, compared to the 10 minutes-a-day provided by current market solutions.

“Getting to this point has been a phenomenal journey. The JANUS-1 mission gave us the focus to build an advanced and space-grade AI technology in only nine months and provided a springboard for AICRAFT to enter the space ecosystem.”

Flinders University postgraduate students Matthew Camp and Jamie Keegan-Treloar, left, with AICRAFT CEO Dr Tony Scoleri (centre), Philippa Spencer from Careers 7 Employability at Tonsley, and SA chapter president of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce Adrien Doucet at the recent satellite launch event at Flinders NVI, Tonsley.

Based at the NVI on Flinders University’s Tonsley campus, AICRAFT designs smart sensors and tailored systems powered by AI. The company specialises in purpose-built electronics and advanced semiconductor technology to craft ultra-compact, high-speed, low-power embedded AI solutions for high-performance edge computing. The Pulsar module is 95mm x 90mm x 25mm, with a power-performance ratio currently unmatched in this size of device.

Flinders students Matthew Camp (a 2021 Bachelor of Computer Science graduate) and Jamie Keegan-Treloar (2022 First Class Honours graduate in Mathematical Sciences) have had the opportunity to gain insights into the AICRAFT operations at the Tonsley Innovation District.

Creation of the  JANUS-1 satellite involved eight organisations spanning seven countries that collaborated virtually through an Antaris cloud-based platform, which features open APIs and core open-source elements.

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