Thales Alenia Space and Microsoft have jointly initiated an innovation project in the field of cloud technologies for space, adding an automatic image processing solution DeeperVision, developed by Thales Alenia Space, to the Microsoft Azure Orbital platform. Thanks to DeeperVision, all images transmitted to Earth by Earth observation satellites can be immediately and systematically analyzed as soon as they are produced. DeeperVision is a digital image analysis solution that makes use of artificial intelligence to process and analyze large volumes of Earth observation images, automatically detect how features evolve over time, and monitor areas of interest, such as changes, anomalies and similarities.
Information is automatically and continuously extracted from the images in real time, the note explains. The results are then stored as metadata in a larger catalog. This innovative solution allows users to focus on the truly relevant content of the images, where the human experience is paramount. DeeperVision is a key digital service for serially processing Earth observation images. Clarence Duflocq, vice president of Strategy & Innovation at Thales Alenia Space, commented that “Thales Alenia Space and Microsoft are innovating together by combining their expertise in space and cloud technologies. Customers will benefit from the full capabilities of Thales Alenia Space’s DeeperVision solution to process the data stream and provide timely information with Azure Orbital’s cloud capabilities. This information is enhanced by high-speed, high-volume artificial intelligence and machine learning to create an unprecedented impact on the planet and beyond.”
“Cloud-scale satellite imagery processing is a game-changer for our customers who need this artificial intelligence and machine learning-based insights to quickly make decisions critical to the success of their missions. Supporting high-impact innovation for our customers is a top priority for Azure Space. The addition of DeeperVision to Azure Orbital is just a first step in our partnership with Thales Alenia Space,” said Tom Keane, corporate vice president of Azure Global at Microsoft. Following successful demos at the Microsoft Ignite event March 2-4, Thales Alenia Space and Microsoft are now moving forward operationally with this revolutionary solution.
