As the world increasingly relies on Earth Observation (EO) data, efficient movement of it has never been more important. The traditional space industry viewed delays in EO data movement as a manageable aspect of operations, choosing to adapt to their presence. Data bottlenecks in space are the result of various things such as congested ground stations, outdated satellite technology and more (in an earlier article on the value chain behind EO, we have started exploring these challenges), At their worst, these delays can hold up critical information when it’s needed most. But what if there were a better way?

In this article, we will explore how state-of-the-art satellite technology is enabling real-time data movement from space to ground. We identify the delays in conventional data chains and show you how ReOrbit’s software-first satellites are leading the way in minimising them. Finally, we’ll look ahead to what faster data movement in space means for the future, from improving global connectivity to enabling more responsive and accurate use cases across industries.

Delays in the traditional space network

Many EO satellites are facing data bottlenecks from highly congested ground stations. This is because most EO data is still processed in the ground segment. It’s one thing to downlink the data to the ground but more time is consumed in the data processing itself. These delays present a critical threat to the most time-sensitive EO data needs such as disaster response. Figure 1 shows how EO data finds its way to the end user, with each step in the traditional sequence contributing to the overall delay.

ReOrbit’s sequence and response to delays

As seen in Figure 2, ReOrbit satellites have features that make them faster than traditional satellites, one of the game-changing ones being edge computing.

Unlike traditional satellites that must downlink all collected data to Earth for processing, ReOrbit’s satellites like UkkoSat can initiate data processing in orbit. This includes not only pre-processing the data but also pre-selecting the most relevant images. For example, EO images that are obscured by clouds or other disturbances can be filtered out in space. This ensures that only the most useful and high-quality data is downlinked, maximising the efficiency of the process and avoiding the waste of downlink time. By the time the data reaches the ground, it could already be complete for immediate use. This not only speeds up the sequence but also reduces the amount of data that needs to be sent to ground stations, easing their congestion.

Enhancing critical use cases with real-time connectivity

As we move towards the future of space that will be centred around networks, where satellites in different orbits can collaborate seamlessly, the potential for real-time global connectivity is coming closer to reality. A key element enabling these networks is optical communications. This technology facilitates secure, point-to-point data exchange between satellites, allowing for real-time communication with the ground. This inter-satellite networking capability is vital for moving data quickly to even the most remote or hard-to-reach areas.

Real-time communications particularly benefit use cases that require rapid responses, such as disaster relief, classified military data, and combating illegal fishing. When combined with edge computing, these EO use cases receive significant upgrades. Take the case of illegal fishing, for example. A satellite needs to trace dark vessels and report them to the coast guard for action. With UkkoSat, it is possible not only to do this but also to process the necessary data in orbit and send complete insights directly to decision-makers. This capability delivers full sovereignty and, importantly, the time to act.

In establishing preventative natural disaster systems, a multi-orbit satellite network can be facilitated for countries with large and diverse geographical areas that are challenging to monitor through other means. For instance, a satellite in LEO can collect preventative or real-time data from specific locations and send it via optical communications to a GEO satellite, which can, in turn, communicate it directly to decision-making control centres. This setup provides timely coverage without any 3rd party service needed. Another multi-orbit example involves using an LEO satellite to collect classified military EO data such as troop movements and encrypts it. These encrypted insights can then be sent and stored in a GEO satellite and retrieved from the ground in a manner similar to how cloud servers operate.

On top of all mentioned there is a noteworthy layer complementing the new and old data routes called the space internet of things. Another article of ours introduced the role of modern satellite technology in expanding the internet to space, have a read about it here.

End-to-end value chain

At ReOrbit we create secure end-to-end EO value chains between EO payloads and end users that maximise efficiency and minimise delays. By equipping our satellites with autonomy, edge computing capabilities, and optical communications, we enable seamless data movement from satellite to satellite and satellite to ground. ReOrbit will demonstrate many of these capabilities aforementioned as our first satellite launch is scheduled for next year. We’re particularly excited about our upcoming UKKO mission, for which our team has recently completed the Preliminary Design Review phase, marking a significant milestone in its development.