Akash Yalagach

Edge computing is revolutionizing earth observation (EO) by enabling satellites to process data directly in orbit, reducing reliance on ground stations for time-sensitive applications. This talk will highlight the benefits of edge computing for earth observation, such as reduced data transfer costs, faster response times in critical scenarios like disaster management, and real-time insights for sectors like agriculture and defence. In September 2023 KaleidEO demonstrated on-orbit processing on EO satellites, showcasing real-time analytics capabilities like change detection and applications for vegetation, forestry and environmental monitoring. By enabling instantaneous data processing, edge computing ensures that actionable intelligence reaches decision-makers without delay, fostering more effective responses to natural disasters, better resource management, and stronger national security. The edge computing innovation for EO marks an important evolution in the traditional approach, unlocking unprecedented potential for near real-time, data-driven, diversified applications from space.