In a groundbreaking move set to elevate India’s position in space exploration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch its Proba-3 mission aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Rocket (PSLV-XL) on December 4, 2024. Alongside the Proba-3 satellite, the mission will carry an innovative payload – My Orbital Infrastructure – Technology Demonstrator (MOI-TD), which will establish India’s first artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory in space.
Developed by Hyderabad-based space technology firm TakeMe2Space, the MOI-TD platform is poised to revolutionize space research by enabling real-time data processing directly in orbit. This technological leap addresses the long-standing challenge of processing vast amounts of satellite data, which is often delayed due to transmission inefficiencies caused by factors like cloud cover. Currently, up to 40% of satellite data can become unusable, with transmission delays lasting up to weeks. By processing data in space itself, MOI-TD will bypass these hurdles and provide immediate insights from space-based observations.
The initiative has garnered substantial support from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), the government agency responsible for facilitating private sector involvement in India’s space sector. IN-SPACe’s Technical Centre, located in Ahmedabad, played a key role in providing the infrastructure needed to develop and validate the MOI-TD platform, accelerating its progress.
Ronak Kumar Samantray, the founder and CEO of TakeMe2Space, expressed excitement over the mission’s potential to open up space industry opportunities to a wider audience. “MOI-TD will open up the space industry, particularly Earth observation, to millions of enthusiasts and researchers,” he stated. Through a web-based interface called OrbitLab, users will be able to upload and deploy AI models for a variety of applications, including environmental monitoring, deforestation detection, and tracking of greenhouse gas emissions. This platform allows real-time analysis, providing valuable, data-driven insights directly from space.
Equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as AI accelerators, flexible solar cells, and advanced control systems, the MOI-TD platform signifies a major step forward in the development of space-based computing. The mission not only aims to enhance Earth observation capabilities but also sets the stage for the creation of data centers in space, integrating AI-powered data processing that could transform how space agencies and researchers manage and analyze large datasets in the future.
As India prepares for this historic launch, the successful deployment of the MOI-TD marks a significant milestone in the country’s space exploration efforts, positioning India as a leader in utilizing AI for innovative applications in space research.
