Spiral Blue delivers satellite edge computer for Project Rainbow Python

Edge computer developer Spiral Blue has developed a new version of its Space Edge Computer and delivered it to Esper Satellite Imagery for inclusion in two planned space missions to capture satellite imagery.

The company delivered its Space Edge One Hyperspectral (SE-1H) edge computing system (pictured) which will be integrated into Esper’s hyperspectral imagers OTR-1 and OTR-2 instruments ready for launch.

Edge computing, in which is data is processed at its source, in this case on board a satellite, overcomes the issue of limited bandwidth for transmission of data to and from Earth.

Other companies involved in the two missions include Dandelions, UNSW Sydney, and Saber Astronautics.

Dandelions will be developing and testing new materials onboard the missions, UNSW Sydney, will be providing testing facilities, and Saber Astronautics will also be providing missions operations, and pre-launch engineering support.

The launches will be hosted by Space Machines Company, and Modularity Space.

Together the companies are developing Project Rainbow Python which is being supported by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre’s AMGC Commercialisation Fund.

Spiral Blue recently received hardware from its supply chain manufacturers and completed factory acceptance testing, before shipping the computer and support hardware to Esper in Melbourne.

Working alongside Esper, Spiral Blue developed a variant of the Space Edge One hardware, as well as custom software, to support the mission requirements.

CEO of Esper Satellite Imagery Shoaib Iqbal said: “We’re glad to be working with Spiral Blue and leveraging their computing capability for our imaging systems. Hyperspectral imagery poses a large data engineering challenge which Spiral Blue’s onboard computing capability allows us to tackle.

“The integration of their hardware with ours marks a significant step in affordable, lean hyperspectral imagery from space, especially for time critical climate and emergency applications.”

Spiral Blue CEO Taofiq Huq said the computer was pushing the edges of computing to make Earth observation more accessible.

Huq said: “We’re proud to be supporting Esper tackle the enormous challenge of climate change with their hyperspectral satellite constellation.

“Edge computing will be an important component of Esper’s satellites, for making insights derived from this imagery as accessible as possible to everyone.”

Further reading:
SPIRAL BLUE TO PROCESS IMAGERY IN SPACE FOR TRANSMISSION TO EARTH

Picture: Spiral Blue