Project description
Satellite data reception moves from hardware to software
The demand for Earth observation data for environmental monitoring, meteorology and other applications is growing due to their ability to further understanding and improve management of our planet and its environment. Current ground segment modems cannot accommodate the increasing data volumes, pace of innovation in satellite communications nor rising expectations of getting more value for less money. The EU-funded Blink modem aims to replace currently used expensive and hard-to-maintain hardware components. The wideband, pure-software modem is an affordable, scalable, and flexible solution for both large and small satellite missions. It makes dedicated ground stations more reliable, easier to use and cost-effective. As a software-based solution it is a perfect fit in the cloud, to be used in new satellite ground systems and services.
Objective
It is widely known that key information used in many industries such as meteorology, logistics, navigation, oil and gas, agriculture, ecology and others, comes from space, via Earth observation (EO) satellites. Having this data in a short time frame is becoming essential. Existing ground segment solutions are heavily based on hardware. They are not following technology advances like space hardware do which causes a bottleneck in EO data acquisition: required volume of data is not available quickly or with sufficient value! The objective of this proposal is to provide an innovative, completely software-based data acquisition solution for EO market – Blink, disruptive enough to compete with existing oligopoly in this market segment. The EO market is very interesting as it is being boosted by skyrocketing growth of start-ups in NewSpace industry like SpaceX, OneWeb and Planet, to name a few, and increasing trend of moving from thick hardware solutions towards flexible and dynamic software solutions as well as moving satellite ground systems and services in the cloud environment. The expected project outcome is a Blink device, a software-based solution for EO ground stations which will enable assembling a full performant ground station at a fraction of time and cost that are usual at a time being. This will bring benefit not just to growing segment of start-up companies, but also to big governmental missions worldwide, including Copernicus – the EU flagship mission for Earth observation. Humanitarian missions will also benefit from Blink. Construction of a larger number of ground stations and a faster GS deployment will significantly reduce time to get satellite images of disaster-struck areas. Therefore, rescue teams will be able to act faster, and hence save thousands of lives and homes. The successful implementation of the project, which already successfully passed Phase 1, with the support of the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument will ensure the company’s fast expansion of disruptive innovation for space technology market on EU level and beyond.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorology
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsignal processing
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringair pollution engineering
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2Coordinator
10000 ZAGREB
Croatia
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.