Space software firm Satlyt has raised $8 million in seed funding to enable AI processing directly on satellites. This technology aims to reduce operational costs by minimizing the need to transmit large amounts of raw data back to Earth. The startup is currently testing its systems in orbit through collaborations with partners, including Indian hardware company TakeMe2Space.
Satlyt, a space-tech startup, has secured $8 million in seed funding to advance its mission of bringing artificial intelligence directly to satellites. The funding round, led by Non Sibi Ventures, aims to support the company’s efforts to build a virtual orbital data center network. This approach focuses on processing data while the satellite is still in space, rather than sending all raw information back to ground stations for analysis.
Reducing Costs for Satellite Operators
For many satellite operators, the process of transmitting raw data back to Earth is slow and expensive. It requires significant bandwidth and relies on specific time windows when a satellite can communicate with a ground station. By deploying software that can handle AI workloads in orbit, Satlyt aims to make satellites more independent. This could help operators save on operational costs and reduce the latency involved in troubleshooting or data processing.
Technology Trials and Partnerships
Satlyt operates as a software-first company, meaning it does not manufacture satellites itself. Instead, it creates the software layer that sits on top of existing satellite hardware. The company has already demonstrated its technology by running AI models, such as Google DeepMind’s Gemma, on spacecraft operated by Momentus.
Currently, the startup is expanding its testing through collaborations with Indian hardware provider TakeMe2Space. These missions, which involve organizations like NASA and surveillance firm Stellerian, are focused on testing cloud computing protocols and image processing directly in orbit. These trials are crucial for proving that software can handle complex tasks in the harsh space environment.
Challenges in Orbital Computing
While the goal of efficient orbital computing is promising, the company faces several significant hurdles. The space environment is physically demanding, with high radiation levels and limited power supply, which can affect the performance of sophisticated processors. Furthermore, the firm must overcome the challenges of scaling its platform across a diverse range of satellite hardware.
Because Satlyt is a private startup, it does not have a publicly traded stock, and investors should note that the space industry is highly capital-intensive. The company’s long-term success will depend on its ability to convince various satellite operators to adopt its software platform as a standard, as well as its ability to overcome the technical constraints of edge computing in orbit. The next major monitorables for the company will be the results of its current missions with TakeMe2Space and its success in securing long-term service agreements with commercial satellite operators.