Ciseres: AI-powered satellites for rapid disaster response 

This week, at the International Aeronautics Congress in Milan, ESA officially kicked off a new project called Ciseres, a small satellite mission designed to significantly improve crisis response times using artificial intelligence (AI).

Part of ESA’s Civil Security from Space (CSS) programme, Ciseres aims to enhance satellite capabilities to alert first responders and government officials within minutes of the occurrence of a disaster – such as floods, fires, landslides. The project is led and co-financed by Deimos, a European space tech company specialising in small satellite missions.

Satellites play a crucial role in disaster management. They offer a view of affected areas from above and maintain communication links when terrestrial (ground) infrastructure is compromised or in remote areas where networks can’t reach. However, satellites collect vast amounts of data from various sensors and input, which has traditionally been challenging to process and transmit quickly. This often delays critical information from reaching emergency responders.

AI filters and compresses crucial data only for faster transmission 

Ciseres addresses this challenge by directly integrating AI into the process. The AI acts as a sophisticated filter, scanning the enormous amounts of data processed by the satellite at all times to identify the most relevant information. It then compresses this data at high speed, allowing for the transmission of essential details to the right people within just a few minutes.  

“By enabling AI-based processing directly on board the satellite, the Ciseres end-to-end solution will provide users with rapid ‘actionable’ information right away,” said Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications. “We’re bringing New Space – in the form of AI, small sats, constellations, high resolution, optical and radar – to the last mile delivery in satellite communications.”   

ESA has partnered with three European companies for Ciseres, harnessing their technological capabilities to explore how best to utilise AI for disaster response.   

1. Deimos, an end-to-end small satellite mission provider, will offer expertise in Edge AI and machine learning operations.  
2. Skylabs, a satellite computer firm, will provide the on-board computer and high-performance computing capabilities.  
3. GINA, an emergency response software-as-a-service provider, will develop the Earth Observation platform.  

While Ciseres is a European initiative, its potential impact extends globally. The project aligns with international efforts to improve early warning systems and disaster resilience worldwide. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters, AI-empowered satellite technology can address complex, time-sensitive issues on a global scale.

“When disaster strikes, it is critical not only to provide available situational awareness as fast as possible, but also to rapidly task satellites to change their planned data collection schedules to ensure updated situational information can be acquired and delivered to crisis responders on the timescales they require. The Ciseres developments represent an important advancement in this respect,” said Simonetta Cheli, ESA Director of Earth Observation.   

“AI-powered satellite systems will redefine how we respond to disasters. By processing critical data directly on-board, Ciseres enables first responders to make faster, life-saving decisions. This project underscores Europe’s leadership in space innovation, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this revolution,” said Simone Centuori, CEO of Deimos.  

Ciseres is part of the Serenity project, which is a ground network of interconnected hubs that offer seamless access to space and ground resources for enhanced crisis response. These projects sit within ESA’s Civil Security from Space programme.  

Third-party applications are welcome to join the Ciseres environment and take advantage of the shared Earth observation data. If your organisation deals with government agencies, first responders and/or critical infrastructure operators, visit [link] to find out more.