The mission

Ф-sat-1, an enhancement of the Federated Satellite Systems (FSSCat) mission, is the first experiment to demonstrate how artificial intelligence can be used for Earth observation – in this case, filtering out less than perfect images so that only usable data are returned to Earth.

The launch

Ф-sat-1: 3 September 2020
Site: Kourou, French Guiana
Rocket: Vega
Instrument: Hyperspectral camera and AI

1st AI for Earth observation

FSSCat 2 cubesats

540 km altitude

1 YR mission life

Latest news

Explore

[ Vega ]

ARCHIVE CONTENT: 03 SEP. 2020

Vega return to flight proves new rideshare service

The first flight of Vega’s rideshare service using the Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) dispenser for light satellites, launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 02:51 BST / 03:51 CEST on 3 September (22:51 local time on 2 September).

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[ Earth Observation Programmes ]

ARCHIVE CONTENT: 28 SEP. 2020

Digital Twin Earth, quantum computing and AI take centre stage at ESA’s Φ-week

ESA’s 2020 Φ-week event kicked off this morning with a series of stimulating speeches on Digital Twin Earth, updates on Φ-sat-1, which was successfully launched into orbit earlier this month, and an exciting new initiative involving quantum computing.

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[ Φsat ]

ARCHIVE CONTENT: 04 SEP. 2020

Next artificial intelligence mission selected

Following yesterday’s successful launch of ɸ-sat-1 – Europe’s first artificial intelligence Earth observation mission – plans are already underway for the next innovative state-of-the-art technology, ɸ-sat-2.

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[ Vega ]

ARCHIVE CONTENT: 31 AUG. 2020

Watch Vega rideshare launch live

Update: The countdown for launch has resumed. Liftoff is scheduled for 3 September 02:51 BST / 03:51 CEST (22:51 local time in Kourou on 2 September). The weather will be monitored constantly until the precise moment of liftoff to determine whether or not to authorise the launch. The Vega launch vehicle and its 53 satellite payloads are in stable and fully safe conditions.

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