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Irish Tech Powers Major Satellite Launch with Airbus and NASA.
CO3D Satellites Set for Launch with Irish Navigation Technology.
Today, four cutting-edge CO3D satellites, developed by Airbus in collaboration with the French Space Agency (CNES), are scheduled to launch aboard the Vega-C rocket from French Guiana. These high-resolution imaging satellites are part of the Constellation Optique 3D (CO3D) project, aimed at delivering global Digital Surface Model (DSM) data.
One key component on board is a precision navigation system from Irish space-tech company Innalabs. The system, known as ARIETIS-NS, offers high-accuracy inertial navigation that is resistant to radiation—vital for maintaining satellite stability and orientation in orbit.
Despite its small size and low energy consumption, ARIETIS-NS is built to deliver ultra-low noise performance. This ensures that its operation does not interfere with other crucial instruments, such as communication arrays and Earth observation sensors.
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CEO John O’Leary of Innalabs expressed pride in the company's role:
"This is a significant milestone not just for Innalabs, but for Irish engineering in the global space sector. We're proud to support such a groundbreaking mission."
The CO3D satellites are designed for dual-use and will orbit in pairs on opposite sides of the Earth. With an expected operational life of eight years, the satellites aim to enhance Airbus’ satellite capabilities across both optical and radar-based observation systems.
Innalabs Boosts Europe's Planetary Defence Missions.
Innalabs’ space navigation tech is gaining momentum beyond Earth observation. Last year, the company contributed to the European Space Agency’s Hera mission, part of a planetary defence initiative studying the Didymos binary asteroid system. This May, the startup secured a second ESA contract to support the Ramses mission, further cementing Ireland’s presence in space innovation.
Ubotica’s Space AI Enhances NASA’s Satellite Data Precision.
Another Irish company, Ubotica, is also gaining international recognition. Earlier this month, NASA successfully tested an AI payload developed by Ubotica, showcasing how onboard artificial intelligence can dramatically improve the efficiency and accuracy of satellite imaging.
The AI system was tested on CogniSAT-6, a CubeSat developed by Open Cosmos. Powered by Ubotica’s Space:AI platform, the system allowed the satellite to autonomously identify and react to targets along its orbital path in under 90 seconds—without human input.
NASA describes this capability as Dynamic Targeting, a revolutionary shift in satellite behavior. Instead of passively collecting data, the satellite can now interpret it and make real-time decisions. The goal? To avoid cloud cover and capture rare, short-lived events such as wildfires, volcanic activity, and extreme storms.
“We’re teaching satellites to think more like humans,” said Dr. Steve Chien, AI technical fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. “Instead of treating pixels as just colors, the AI understands what it sees—like identifying a forest fire—and adjusts its sensors accordingly.”
According to Ubotica CEO Fintan Buckley, this marks a turning point in Earth observation:
"This tech allows satellites to focus on what really matters. Instead of endlessly capturing data, we can now prioritize useful images and filter out the noise—like cloud-covered shots."
NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office has funded this groundbreaking work, with future tests planned to track severe weather patterns and thermal anomalies.
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