Satellite constellations for computing and cloud systems

21 November 2024

A huge amount of data is constantly being generated in Space, and it is important for caring for our Planet and assessing the sustainability of human activities. Having a good computational capacity on board of satellites makes it possible to assemble even complex algorithms. The topic is explored in Leopoldo Benacchio's article in “Il Sole 24 Ore”, with contributions from Simone Ungaro, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Leonardo, and Massimo Comparini, Managing Director Leonardo Space.

High-Performance Computing (HPC), cloud, artificial intelligence, ultra-high-speed transmission. These are the ingredients of a revolution that Leonardo is taking from the ground to Space. As Simone Ungaro explains, “Land, sea, water and even Space can no longer be managed in a dichotomous way.” It is necessary to move towards a multi-domain system, in which all technologies and platforms are connected and interact with each other.

Space plays a fundamental role because it is the best possible vantage point. Hence the realisation that the computational capacity of a satellite is a fundamental element for any future system. Not only for Defence, but also for areas such as agriculture and remote sensing. According to Massimo Comparini, the aim is to move towards the realisation of a distributed computing system and cloud, realised thanks to satellite constellations. “On-board computing and artificial intelligence will also be important in missions to distant worlds, allowing us a kind of adaptive and intelligent in-situ Space exploration.”