The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to make a significant leap in space exploration with its upcoming mission aboard the PSLV-XL rocket
New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to make a significant leap in space exploration with its upcoming mission aboard the PSLV-XL rocket. ISRO is preparing to launch its Proba-3 mission aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). However, this mission will not be traveling alone. Alongside Proba-3, the mission will carry My Orbital Infrastructure – Technology Demonstrator (MOI-TD), which will house India’s first artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory in space.
The Hyderabad-based space technology company, TakeMe2Space, is aboard the PSLV-XL rocket with its My Orbital Infrastructure – Technology Demonstrator (MOI-TD), which will establish India’s first artificial intelligence laboratory in space. This marks a groundbreaking step for India in space exploration, as the AI lab aims to enhance real-time data processing and space research capabilities.
In other words, Developed by the Hyderabad-based space tech firm, Tekmi2Space, the MOI-TD is India’s first artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory in space. The mission’s goal is to revolutionize space research by enabling real-time data processing in orbit, marking a significant milestone in the country’s space exploration efforts. The upcoming mission is scheduled for December 4, 2024.
The MOI-TD platform has been developed with significant support from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center(IN-SPACe) Technical Centre, a government agency that plays a pivotal role in promoting private sector participation in India’s space sector. IN-SPACe, the single window government agency for all space sector activities of private entities, played a key role in accelerating the development of the platform.
Located in Ahmedabad, the IN-SPACe Technical Centre has played a crucial role in providing essential facilities for testing and validating the MOI-TD platform. This collaboration helps address a significant challenge in satellite operations: the inefficiency of transmitting large amounts of data to Earth.
At present, up to 40% of satellite data can become unusable due to factors such as cloud cover, which results in significant delays of up to weeks for processing. The MOI-TD platform addresses this challenge by enabling data processing directly in space.
“MOI-TD will open up the space industry, particularly Earth observation, to millions of enthusiasts and researchers,” Ronak Kumar Samantray, founder and CEO of TakeMe2Space was quoted as saying to India Today.
Users will engage with the satellite through OrbitLab, a web-based interface that enables them to upload and deploy AI models for a variety of uses, including environmental monitoring, deforestation detection, and greenhouse gas emission tracking. This platform empowers users to leverage AI for impactful applications, allowing real-time analysis and data-driven insights directly from orbit.
MOI-TD is equipped with cutting-edge technology such as AI accelerators, flexible solar cells, and advanced control systems, marking a major milestone in the evolution of space-based computing. This mission not only boosts Earth observation capabilities but also paves the way for the development of data centers in space. By integrating AI-powered data processing in orbit, it opens new frontiers for future space technologies that could revolutionize how we handle and analyze vast amounts of data from space.
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