As environmental and security challenges grow, new technologies are needed to monitor Earth efficiently and minimize resource use. The ORCHIDE (Orchestration of Reliable Computing on Heterogeneous Infrastructures Deployed at the Edge) project addresses this by enabling secure deployment and orchestration of image processing applications on Earth Observation Satellites, independent of specific hardware or software platforms. ORCHIDE strengthens European autonomy in space and offers broad benefits for Earth observation and environmental monitoring.
Utilizing artificial intelligence, ORCHIDE supports applications such as fire detection, seaweed movement tracking, plastic pollution monitoring, and facility surveillance—improving global security. By processing images onboard satellites, only relevant information is sent to ground stations, filtering out low-value data (such as cloud-obscured images), which improves response times, enhances decision-making, and reduces costs.
ORCHIDE also democratizes access to space by providing an open solution for manufacturers and developers worldwide. They can create, package, and deploy their own services to be executed in space, enhancing market access and responsiveness. The system’s flexibility allows integration with a variety of platforms, ranging from high-altitude airships to drones.
The project delivers a complete technical solution with three parts:
Development Kit: Tools for creating lightweight, secure unikernel-based applications optimized for specific tasks.
Management Unit: Onboard component for deploying applications, allocating resources, and dynamically adapting priorities across missions.
Simulation Platform: Digital tools for designing, validating, and operating edge computing technologies in space.
To ensure long-term effectiveness, ORCHIDE’s management unit is designed for agility, security, and compatibility with diverse hardware and edge/cloud technologies. The team employs eco-design and green IT principles to maximize resource efficiency and minimize the system’s environmental impact.
Security is reinforced via “secure by design” unikernel architecture and trusted IT features like data separation and cryptography, ensuring robust, reliable operations. The project will conclude by demonstrating ORCHIDE’s system—proving hardware and software performance under realistic space conditions using existing image processing applications.
