Hyderabad-based startup TakeMe2Space is set to launch India's first artificial intelligence (AI) lab in space, scheduled for mid-December aboard ISRO's PSLV C60 rocket.
The mission, named the Orbital Infrastructure - Technology Demonstrator (MOI-TD), aims to process satellite data directly in space, addressing the issue of up to 40% of data becoming unusable due to cloud cover and other factors.
Founder and CEO Ronak Kumar Samantray stated that this innovation could make space research more affordable and accessible. Users will be able to upload AI models for various tasks, including environmental monitoring and tracking deforestation, through the web-based platform OrbitLab.
MOI-TD is seen as a foundational step towards space-based computing that could support diverse services. The satellite is equipped with advanced technologies, including AI accelerators and solar cells, and has received support from the government agency IN-SPACe.
This initiative could revolutionize how space is utilized, proving that it can offer practical solutions for challenges faced on Earth.