Selected Ideas

Outcome and Results

The Cognitive Cloud Computing Campaign was set up to seek ideas on how to combine spacecraft and in-space cloud/edge computing with artificial intelligence (AI) for innovative space applications. With this campaign, ESA solicited new and challenging mission concepts that push the limits of onboard computing by capitalising on the latest developments in AI and hybrid computing technologies and paradigms. Proposed mission concepts could cover any space domain while complementing – or possibly augmenting – existing and planned space-based systems. Ideas addressed new ways to accelerate Earth and space sciences, new methods for extracting information on the fly, and new applications and services creating new markets.

The 68 ideas received resulted in twelve study activities, which were kicked off in May 2022 and closed by March 2023.

The results of the activities suggest that onboard cloud computing on ‘smarter’ satellites could bring substantial benefits, while identifying gaps in available technologies and infrastructure to make it possible, such as reliable and fast inter-satellite links, and providing approaches for follow-up research.

Resources
    •    Article on selected ideas on esa.int
    •    Outcomes article on esa.int