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Writer's pictureMei He

Spiral Blue SE-1 Computer Reaches Orbit Aboard Satellogic Satellite

Updated: Jan 4



SE-1 Payload to Test Edge Computing Technology


(Sydney, NSW - 3rd of January, 2023) Today, the Space Edge One computer (SE-1) developed by Australian startup, Spiral Blue, launched as a hosted payload aboard a Satellogic NewSat spacecraft on the Transporter-6 Rideshare mission, which departed on aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Cape Canaveral, Florida at 9:56am ET.



Developed through Satellogic’s Hosted Payload Program, this joint mission will complete Spiral Blue’s flight testing program for its latest generation Space Edge Computing technology. The SE-1 computer will interface with the satellite’s high-resolution imaging system, allowing Spiral Blue to begin testing key onboard image processing applications, such as cloud detection, ship detection, cropping, and compression.



The latest Space Edge Computer utilises the NVIDIA Xavier NX chip, and possesses far greater onboard processing power, storage, thermal control, faster interfacing, and other improvements than its predecessor, Space Edge Zero.


The goal is to integrate these capabilities with Spiral Blue’s Space Edge Services platform, Cobalt, enabling customers to task the satellite to capture images and carry out onboard processing depending on their needs.



This is the fourth Spiral Blue Space Edge Computer, and first SE-1 to launch. Spiral Blue has launched three Space Edge Zero prototypes thus far.


“This launch is a key milestone for us as we work toward providing easier access to Earth observation data and insights.” said Spiral Blue CEO, Taofiq Huq, “This will be our first operational mission, and we’re incredibly excited to start working with our customers for this mission.”


“Our Hosted Payload Program offers an affordable, low-risk option to test proprietary and experimental payloads in orbit,” said Thomas VanMatre, Vice President of Global Business Development at Satellogic. “We’re excited to make the opportunity for rapid testing and accelerated technology development available to customers.”


Spiral Blue was recently a recipient of the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement Grant, a grant which supports the Australian space industry to build capacity to deliver products and services into domestic and/or international space industry supply chains that could support Moon to Mars activities. This grant is supporting the development of Spiral Blue’s Space Edge Services platform.

The company is also working with other space hardware manufacturers through an Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Commercialisation Grant. This grant is supporting Spiral Blue’s Rainbow Python mission, an integrated hyperspectral imaging and edge computing platform.

Spiral Blue media contact

media@spiralblue.space

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About Spiral Blue

Spiral Blue is a Sydney-based SME focused on building the next generation of Earth observation services with artificial intelligence and Space Edge Computing. Spiral Blue technology has applications in defence, city planning, utilities, and other industries. Founded in 2018, the company has recently launched its first Space Edge Zero prototypes to orbit, and is now continuing to gather further in orbit performance data. Spiral Blue is a member of the Wolfpack Space Hub.


About Satellogic

Founded in 2010 by Emiliano Kargieman and Gerardo Richarte, Satellogic (NASDAQ: SATL) is the first vertically integrated geospatial company, driving real outcomes with planetary-scale insights. Satellogic is creating and continuously enhancing the first scalable, fully automated Earth Observation platform with the ability to remap the entire planet at both high-frequency and high-resolution, providing accessible and affordable solutions for customers.

Satellogic’s mission is to democratise access to geospatial data through its information platform of high-resolution images and analytics to help solve the world’s most pressing problems including climate change, energy supply, and food security. Using its patented Earth imaging technology, Satellogic unlocks the power of EO to deliver high-quality, planetary insights at the lowest cost in the industry.

With more than a decade of experience in space, Satellogic has proven technology and a strong track record of delivering satellites to orbit and high-resolution data to customers at the right price point.

To learn more, please visit: satellogic.com

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