ISRO to Launch India’s First AI Laboratory to Space Aboard PSLV-XL along with ESA-PROBA 3

By R Anil Kumar

• The dual payload mission will be launched aboard the PSLV rocketon December 4, aiming to revolutionise space research by enabling real-time data processing in orbit

• ESA’s PROBA 3-This mission marks a significant collaboration between ISRO and ESA

• The mission is aimed at studying the Sun’s corona

• These satellites will be separated by approximately 150 meters

Bengaluru, December 1. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch the ambitious Proba-3 mission to space aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). However, it won’t be the lone payload heading to space.

Hyderabad-based space technology firm TakeMe2Space is riding aboard PSLV-XL with the My Orbital Infrastructure – Technology Demonstrator (MOI-TD), marking India’s first artificial intelligence laboratory in space.

Through this ISRO is set to make a significant advancement in space exploration with the launch of India’s first artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory, known as My Orbital Infrastructure Technology Demonstrator (MOI-TD).

This mission will take place aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL) on December 4, 2024. The initiative is spearheaded by the Hyderabad-based company TakeMe2Space and aims to revolutionize space research by enabling real-time data processing directly in orbit.

The MOI-TD platform has been developed with critical support from the IN-SPACe Technical Centre, a government agency that facilitates private sector activities in the space domain.

Located in Ahmedabad, IN-SPACe has provided essential facilities for testing and validating the MOI-TD platform, which addresses a significant challenge in satellite operations: the inefficiency of transmitting vast amounts of data to Earth.

MOI-TD will allow for the processing of vast amounts of satellite data in space, addressing challenges such as cloud cover that can render up to 40% of data unusable when transmitted to Earth. This capability will significantly reduce transmission costs and delays, providing timely insights for various applications.

Users will interact with MOI-TD through a web-based platform called OrbitLab. This interface enables users to upload AI models for diverse applications including environmental monitoring, deforestation tracking, and greenhouse gas emission detection. The platform has already attracted partnerships from entities like a Malaysian university and Indian school students.

The satellite is equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as AI accelerators, flexible solar cells, and sophisticated control systems. These features are designed to enhance satellite functionality and pave the way for future developments in space-based computing, akin to cloud services on Earth.

The primary objective of the MOI-TD mission is to make space research more affordable and accessible. By processing data in orbit, it opens up opportunities for a broader range of researchers and enthusiasts to engage with space technology, thereby democratizing access to space research capabilities.

This mission not only enhances Earth observation capabilities but also lays the groundwork for establishing future data centres in space, potentially transforming how vast amounts of data from satellites are handled and analysed.

PSLV-XL Proba-3 launch: First pictures of ISRO’s workhorse ready for lift-off

The European team, currently in India, successfully encapsulated the spacecraft in the payload fairing to complete the integration of the PSLV.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch the ambitious two spacecraft mission to conduct formation flying in space and study the Sun.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL) will launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission from Sriharikota, India, on December 4, 2024, at 4:08 PM IST.

The European team, currently in India, successfully encapsulated the spacecraft in the payload fairing to complete the integration of the PSLV. Following the integration, a dress rehearsal for the launch was conducted.

This mission marks a significant collaboration between ISRO and ESA, aimed at studying the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of the solar atmosphere, which is crucial for understanding solar dynamics and space weather phenomena.

Proba-3 is notable for being the world’s first precision formation flying mission, involving two satellites that will operate in tandem to create artificial solar eclipses.

These satellites will be separated by approximately 150 meters in a highly elliptical orbit, allowing them to block sunlight and observe the corona in unprecedented detail.

This setup enables continuous observations for up to six hours, significantly extending the duration of typical solar observations compared to natural eclipses.

The PSLV-XL configuration, known for its enhanced payload capacity due to additional strap-on boosters, will facilitate this complex mission. Weighing a total of 550 kg, the two satellites — the Occulter and the Coronagraph — are designed to work together to capture detailed images of the corona.

The Occulter will block out the Sun’s intense light while the Coronagraph will utilize this shadow to study solar phenomena that are otherwise difficult to observe.

This launch not only demonstrates ISRO’s capabilities as a reliable launch partner but also underscores India’s growing role in global space exploration.

The Proba-3 mission follows a series of successful collaborations between ISRO and ESA, further enhancing scientific understanding of solar dynamics and their impact on Earth.