EO-Alert: A Novel Satellite Architecture for the Next Generation of Earth Observation Satellites Supporting Rapid Alerts

M. Kerr, S. Cornara, S. Tonetti, J. I. Bravo, R. Hinz, A. Latorre, F. Membibre, A. Ramos, C. Solimini, S. Wiehle, H. Breit, D. Günzel, S. Mandapati, B. Tings, U. Balss, Otto Friedrich Stefa Koudelka, Franz Teschl, E. Magli, T. Bianchi, A. MiglioratiP. Motto Ros, M. Caon, M. Martina, R. Freddi, F. Milani, G. Curci, S. Fraile, C. Marcos

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paper

Abstract

The EO-ALERT project proposes the definition and development of the next-generation Earth Observation (EO) data processing chain, based on a novel flight segment architecture that moves opti-mised key EO data processing elements from the ground segment to on-board the satellite, with the aim of delivering EO products to the end user with very low latency. EO-ALERT achieves, globally, latencies below five minutes for EO products delivery, and below 1 minute in some scenarios. The proposed archi-tecture combines innovations in the on-board elements of the data chain and the communications, namely: on-board reconfigurable data handling, on-board image generation and processing for the generation of alerts (EO products) using Artificial Intelligence (AI), on-board AI-based data compression and encryption, high-speed on-board avionics, and reconfigurable high data rate communication links to ground, including a separate chain for alerts with minimum latency and global coverage. This paper pre-sents the proposed architecture, its performance and hardware, considering two different user scenarios: ship detection and extreme weather nowcasting. The results show that, when implemented using COTS components and available communication links, the proposed architecture can deliver alerts to ground with latency below five minutes, for both SAR and Optical missions, demonstrating the viability of the EO-ALERT concept.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication13th IAA Symposium on Small Satellites for Earth Observation - SSSEO
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Event13th IAA Symposium on Small Satellites for Earth Observation : SSSEO 2021 - Virtuell, Germany
Duration: 27 Apr 202129 Apr 2022

Conference

Conference13th IAA Symposium on Small Satellites for Earth Observation
Abbreviated titleSSSEO 2021
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityVirtuell
Period27/04/2129/04/22

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