Tel Aviv. As Israel prepares to launch new satellites including Nano satellites, the need to monitor and manage them in orbit grows. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has developed an innovative system for operating and managing observation and communication satellites. The new SatGuard system is designed to extend the life of satellites deployed into orbit. Powered by AI, big data and machine learning, the system detects anomalies and other irregularities in the satellite’s operations. SatGuard’s development is based on years of focus and experience in space, accumulated by IAI’s Systems, Missiles and Space Group, and as part of IAI’s internal Innovation Centre.
Telemetry information received from the satellites enables the system to analyse trends, and identify irregularities and changes that occur in the satellite, address them, and prevent future anomalies. SatGuard was built as part of the IAI Innovation Centre accelerator program, operated in collaboration with Starburst, a global start-up accelerator specializing in aerospace. The POC of the new system was done on data received from Venus, a research satellite developed and built by IAI for the Israeli and French space agencies.
Some measurements tested and monitored by SatGuard included sub-systems navigation accuracy, temperatures, electric currents and voltages, dynamical behaviour, communication sub-systems, and more. The analysis of satellite activity data over the years of activity in space is made possible through AI, big data, and machine learning that can later develop a system that supports decisions and problem solving for IAI’s satellites.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has opened an innovation centre, called SPARX Innovation Lab, within the Systems, Missiles and Space Group. The centre focuses on seed-round companies and seeks to develop broad ventures from all lines of business within the group. The centre emphasizes open and organic innovation and seeks to identify future technological trends.
Amira Sharon, Ph.D., IAI EVP, Corporate CTO, Innovation and R&D, said, “IAI’s innovation centre employs open innovation methodology to encourage technological diversity and in-house entrepreneurship. Our development teams engaged in a fast engineering process to create a Minimal Viable Product (MVP), followed by a system that will be used on the company’s operational systems.”
Inbal Kreis, Head of the Innovation Centre for IAI’s System, Missiles and Space Group, commented, “SatGuard is an innovative anomaly-analysis system that leverages big data in satellite management. Advanced machine learning, big data, and AI capabilities enabled the accelerated development of a system that provides accurate results in real-time. SatGuard will be used on satellites as well as in other lines business, including customer service, online support, and implementation of trend analyses findings.”
-The writer is an International Roving Correspondent of the publication.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
