FP Space works to automate space exploration

Hyperspectral images can track the health of forests, crops and water

Polish software development service provider Future Processing has launched a new consortium company formed of three organisations, dedicated to monitoring projects on the Earth from space, using software, hardware and high-resolution imagery.

FP Space is a collaboration between Future Processing, electronic design and prototyping company FP Instruments and flight software, big data and machine learning firm KP Labs. It is currently involved in four projects, all co-funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Poland's National Centre for Research and Development: Intuition-1, PW-Sat2, SISPARE, and AMMER.

Intuition-1 is a future satellite that will be able to segment hyperspectral images (which contain hundreds of narrow electromagnetic bands - the human eye can only see three) in orbit. The data from the satellite will be able to be used to monitor biomass and detect crop diseases in agriculture; map pollution emissions; and classify the health of forests. It will use a hyperspectral instrument created by Future Processing.

SISPARE is also dedicated to high spectral resolution, obtaining images from multiple satellite sources. The aim is to lengthen the period in which satellite imaging can be used.

The AMMER project has been developed to identify the quality of water in reservoirs, aiming to lower water pollution.

FP Space's work with the PW-Sat2 project is a continuation of Future Processing's own involvement. It is an educational initiative run by the University of Warsaw and aims to build a CubeSat 2U satellite that will test a variety of tools and sensors, including a deorbitation system (in the form of a 4m² sail) and solar arrays. Future Processing has funded the on-board computer.

"It is high time for ambitious companies like ours to gain competencies and experience in this area… We are extremely excited to join the consortium and we are looking forward to working with our partners," said MD of KP Labs Michał Baćkowski.