Ciseres AI satellites aim to revolutionize disaster response

Ciseres AI satellites aim to revolutionize disaster response
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Oct 16, 2024
This week, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Ciseres project at the International Aeronautics Congress in Milan. Ciseres is a small satellite mission designed to speed up emergency response times by employing artificial intelligence (AI). As part of ESA's Civil Security from Space (CSS) initiative, the project aims to deliver critical updates to first responders and government officials within minutes following disasters such as floods, fires, and landslides. The mission is led by Deimos, a European company known for its expertise in small satellite operations.

Satellites have long played an essential role in disaster management, providing views of affected regions and maintaining communications when ground networks are down or inaccessible. However, processing the massive amounts of data collected from various satellite sensors has often delayed the timely delivery of essential information to emergency teams.

The Ciseres project integrates AI to tackle this issue head-on. The AI system acts as a smart filter, analyzing continuous data streams from the satellite and pinpointing the most relevant information for emergency response. By rapidly compressing this data, the AI facilitates quick transmission to the appropriate authorities, reducing the delay to just a few minutes.

"By enabling AI-based processing directly on board the satellite, the Ciseres end-to-end solution will provide users with rapid 'actionable' information right away," explained Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications. "We're bringing New Space - in the form of AI, small sats, constellations, high resolution, optical and radar - to the last mile delivery in satellite communications."

ESA has collaborated with three European companies to bring Ciseres to life:

- Deimos is providing expertise in Edge AI and machine learning operations.

- Skylabs is supplying the satellite's on-board computer with high-performance computing capabilities.

- GINA is developing the Earth Observation platform to facilitate emergency response.

Although Ciseres is a European-led project, its implications extend worldwide. It supports global efforts to strengthen early warning systems and improve resilience against natural disasters. As climate change heightens the frequency and intensity of such events, AI-driven satellite technology will be crucial in addressing urgent and complex situations on a global scale.

"When disaster strikes, it is critical not only to provide situational awareness as fast as possible but also to retask satellites swiftly to collect updated information," said Simonetta Cheli, ESA Director of Earth Observation. "The Ciseres developments represent an important advancement in this respect."

Simone Centuori, CEO of Deimos, added, "AI-powered satellite systems will redefine how we respond to disasters. By processing critical data directly on-board, Ciseres enables first responders to make faster, life-saving decisions. This project underscores Europe's leadership in space innovation, and we're proud to be at the forefront of this revolution."

Ciseres is also linked to the Serenity project, which establishes a ground network of interconnected hubs providing seamless access to space and terrestrial resources for improved crisis management. These initiatives fall under ESA's Civil Security from Space program.

Organizations involved in government, emergency response, or critical infrastructure are encouraged to explore opportunities within the Ciseres environment by visiting the ESA website.