Onboard Processing: AIKO and GEO-K Together in the ASI-Funded AISAR Project

AISAR is a research project aimed at revolutionizing the processing of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data directly onboard satellites.

Traditionally, SAR image processing is carried out on the ground, requiring satellites to downlink large volumes of raw data. This approach leads to high communication costs and limits the feasibility of real-time applications.

AISAR overcomes these constraints by integrating artificial intelligence–based SAR focusing and compression algorithms directly onboard the satellite. This onboard processing paradigm dramatically reduces data transmission requirements while maintaining high image quality. The project also demonstrates the operational value of in-orbit SAR data processing through practical use cases such as ship detection, underscoring the strategic relevance of autonomous onboard intelligence. Further details are available in the Projects section.

By enabling onboard intelligence, AISAR enhances satellite efficiency, reduces dependence on ground infrastructure, and unlocks faster and more responsive applications in environmental monitoring, security, and emergency management.