Intuition-1 Celebrates Its First Year of Delivering Orbital Data

On November 11, 2024, Polish satellite Intuition-1 marked the first anniversary of its journey through space. Over the past 366 days, it has orbited Earth 5,490 times and delivered valuable data processed autonomously through advanced artificial intelligence algorithms and the Leopard Data Processing Unit (DPU). This technology enhances the efficiency of resource utilization and analytical processes on Earth.

Developed by KP Labs, Intuition-1 is a demonstration satellite that provides hyperspectral imaging of Earth and processes data directly in space. Equipped with the Leopard DPU—designed by the Poland-based company—the satellite autonomously processes data in orbit using machine learning and AI algorithms. The Leopard DPU can perform up to three trillion operations per second, significantly accelerating the data analysis process.

Unlike conventional RGB imaging, which uses three broad bands (red, green, and blue), the hyperspectral imaging system aboard Intuition-1 captures information across the electromagnetic spectrum, dividing it into numerous narrow spectral bands. The Polish satellite’s sensor covers 192 such bands, including those invisible to the human eye. This breadth of data enables precise identification and analysis of various substances, vegetation types, minerals, and other materials on Earth’s surface.

Over the past year, Intuition-1 has successfully performed a series of operations, confirming the effectiveness of its systems and in-orbit data processing. The satellite captured images of regions such as Poland, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Utah Lake in the USA, where the imaging revealed details of vegetation density. In real-time, the Leopard DPU detected cloud presence, conducted urban analysis, assessed green areas, and displayed terrain features. This approach ensured that only processed information was transmitted to Earth, streamlining analysis and accelerating data delivery.

“Intuition-1 has not only operated continuously for a year but also demonstrated the potential of direct on-orbit data processing. This is an impressive example of autonomous data handling and hyperspectral imaging in space. Over the past year, we have gained valuable hands-on experience and knowledge that will benefit our future projects”

– says Michał Zachara, Vice President of KP Labs.

ntuition-1 is not the only KP Labs project leveraging AI and onboard data processing algorithms. Similar solutions are already being used in the Phi-Sat-2 mission, which focuses on autonomous Earth observation data processing. The data processing technology from Intuition-1 will be further advanced in the upcoming M-Argo mission by the European Space Agency, set to study an asteroid. In the M-Argo mission, the Leopard DPU will allow direct data analysis on the probe, accelerating the identification of asteroid surface features and materials. In the Phi-Sat-2 project, the system supports rapid identification of environmental hazards, such as natural disasters and pollution. Additionally, as part of the Polish Mission to the ISS, the Leopard DPU, developed by KP Labs, will be included onboard the ISS as a test module for researchers, entrepreneurs, and students worldwide.

More information about Intuition-1 and other KP Labs projects can be found on: https://kplabs.space/

Media Contact:
Maciek Mysliwiec
maciek@spaceagency.biz

About KP Labs
Founded in 2016, KP Labs is a New Space company aiming to accelerate space exploration through the development of autonomous mission operations and robotic technology. The company offers a fully integrated suite of hardware, software, and proprietary algorithms for onboard satellite data processing. KP Labs is involved in over 25 projects for ESA, NASA, and private entities, actively participating in space missions within international consortia.

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