8 Space Startups Using AI You Need to Know About!

By applying AI to improve data processing, streamline in-orbit operations, and manage autonomous systems, these startups are setting new standards in space operations and opening up exciting opportunities for the future.

The space industry is experiencing a significant shift as innovative startups harness the capabilities of artificial intelligence to reshape our approach to exploration and technology beyond Earth. As access to space becomes increasingly attainable, these companies are breaking down traditional barriers, allowing a diverse range of players to engage in satellite technology, space tourism, and more. With ambitious missions like lunar exploration on the horizon, private enterprises are not only cutting costs but also enhancing operational capabilities in remarkable ways. By applying AI to improve data processing, streamline in-orbit operations, and manage autonomous systems, these startups are setting new standards in space operations and opening up exciting opportunities for the future.

Muon Space

Founders: Jonny Dyer, Dan McCleese, Paul Day, Reuben Rohrschneider, Pascal Stang

AI Initiatives:

1. Advanced Satellite Constellation
Muon Space utilizes cutting-edge AI technology in its satellite constellation to monitor environmental pollution, focusing on tracking greenhouse gas emissions and critical environmental data from space.

2. Precise Pollution Tracking
With sophisticated sensors, the company identifies pollution sources, such as methane leaks from oil and gas operations, enabling targeted environmental management.

3. Collaboration on FireSat Project
In partnership with Google, Muon Space is developing over 50 satellites equipped with custom infrared sensors to detect and track wildfires with exceptional accuracy.

4. Rapid AI Analysis
The AI-driven FireSat system analyzes imagery quickly, assessing local infrastructure and weather conditions, and providing updates every 30 minutes. It can detect fires as small as 5×5 meters, far exceeding current satellite capabilities.

5. Supporting Emergency Response
Data generated from Muon Space’s efforts supports emergency response initiatives, creates a historical record of fire activity, and aids in scientific research on wildfire behavior, enhancing the ability of governments and organizations to manage environmental impacts.

True Anomaly

Founders: Even Rogers, Thomas Nichols, Daniel Brunski, and Kyle Zakrzewski

AI Initiatives: 

1. Enhanced Jackal Satellites
True Anomaly leverages AI and machine learning to boost the capabilities of its Jackal satellites, focusing on mission planning and autonomous operations.

2. Optimized Flight Trajectories
AI integration allows for optimized flight paths, ensuring safe and effective mission execution during maneuvering and image capture.

3. Autonomous Orbital Pursuit
Jackal acts as an “autonomous orbital pursuit vehicle,” making real-time decisions in complex scenarios like uncooperative rendezvous and proximity operations.

4. Space Domain Awareness Applications
The company is developing a suite of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) applications that utilize powerful analytics and AI to enhance operational efficiency.

5. Mosaic Software for Training
True Anomaly’s Mosaic software functions as an integrated operating system for space security, using AI to support Jackal’s operations and providing realistic training scenarios against AI-driven adversaries.

Exo-Space (Acquired by Sidus Space)

Founders: Jeremy Allam , Marcel Lariviere , Mark Lorden

AI Initiatives:

1. FeatherEdge AI Platform
Exo-Space’s FeatherEdge AI platform uses advanced machine vision algorithms to process Earth observation data in real time, providing immediate insights from onboard imaging systems.

2. Quick Crisis Response
The platform enables rapid detection of environmental crises, such as illegal fishing, natural disasters, and oil spills, facilitating timely action for governments and organizations.

3. Integration with Sidus Space
Exo-Space’s technology powers Sidus Space’s LizzieSat satellite constellation, delivering near-real-time intelligence to commercial and government clients.

4. Hardware-Agnostic Solutions
Their proprietary software adapts to the latest processor advancements, ensuring ongoing upgrades without requiring complete system changes.

5. Strong Contracts and Future Focus
With contracts extending through 2025, Exo-Space is enhancing space-based edge processing, building on-orbit computing satellites to provide data analytic solutions across various industries.

Slingshot Aerospace

Founders: Melanie Stricklan and David Godwin 

AI Initiatives: 

1. Collaboration with DARPA
Slingshot Aerospace, in partnership with DARPA, developed the Agatha AI system to identify anomalous spacecraft within large satellite constellations.

2. Inverse Reinforcement Learning
Agatha employs Inverse Reinforcement Learning (IRL) to evaluate behaviors and discern the intentions of tracked objects, surpassing basic anomaly detection methods.

3. Processing Vast Space Data
The system can process extensive space data, including high-resolution astrometric, contextual, and photometric information from multiple sources.

4. Successful Sim-to-Real Transfer
Trained on over 60 years of simulated constellation data, Agatha effectively bridges the “sim-to-real transfer” gap, applying its capabilities to real-world commercial constellations.

5. Scalability and Explainability
Agatha is scalable and adaptable, with potential applications in genomics, biomedicine, agriculture, and utility optimization. Importantly, it provides “explainability,” offering context for flagged anomalies, which is crucial for building trust in AI systems.

Ramon.Space

Founder: Avi Shabtai

AI Initiatives: 

1. Specialized AI and ML Processors
Ramon.Space designs unique AI and machine learning processors tailored for space applications, enabling Earth-like computing capabilities in the harsh environment of space.

2. Essential Infrastructure for the Space Economy
Their technology serves as critical computing infrastructure for the burgeoning space economy, catering to satellite manufacturers, operators, and service providers.

3. Versatile Computing Platform
The Ramon.Space computing platform supports a wide range of data-driven applications across sectors like satellite communications, remote sensing, autonomous robotics, and space exploration. It features the NuStream storage solution and a robust AI DSP machine for real-time data analysis.

4. Radiation-Resilient Design
Ramon.Space prioritizes reliability with its radiation-resilient processors, ensuring high performance and mission success in challenging space environments.

5. Proven Track Record
With an impressive zero failure rate, Ramon.Space technology has been deployed in over 50 deep space and satellite missions across the solar system, collaborating with space agencies, governments, and commercial providers worldwide.

SpaceKnow

Founder: Jerry Javornicky

AI Initiatives:
1. Automated Geospatial Analytics
SpaceKnow employs deep learning algorithms and partnerships with satellite image providers to perform large-scale, automated geospatial analytics.

2. Long-Term Imagery Analysis
A proprietary, AI-powered analytics engine, combined with the world’s most comprehensive collection of earth observation imagery.

3. Valuable Insights for Governments
Governments can leverage these AI-driven insights to monitor illegal constructions and assess environmental changes, enhancing regulatory efforts.

4. Support for Prime Contractors
Prime contractors benefit from tracking construction progress through satellite data, ensuring projects stay on schedule and within budget.

5. Investment Strategy Enhancement
Investors can analyze company activities, such as vehicle presence, to predict revenues and inform investment strategies, transforming satellite data into actionable intelligence for financial services and economic forecasting.

Spire Global

Founder: Peter Platzer

AI Initiatives: 

1. Extensive Nanosatellite Network
Spire Global has launched over 100 nanosatellites to collect vital global data around the clock, focusing on maritime, aviation, and weather information.

2. Key Data Types
Their satellites gather three primary data types: maritime Automatic Identification System (AIS) data for ship geolocation, aviation Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data for aircraft tracking, and weather Radio Occultation data for atmospheric insights.

3. Cloud-Based Data Processing
Spire processes and analyzes raw data using cloud-based systems, offering it alongside curated datasets like weather information for comprehensive insights.

4. Predictive Analytics
They provide predictive analytics, such as forecasting vessel locations, which benefits various industries, including governance, defense, and freight companies.

5. Versatile Industry Applications
Spire’s services are crucial for trade sanction monitoring, insurance firms, search and rescue operations, and aviation safety. Their weather data supports agriculture, tourism, and industries like chemical suppliers, enhancing demand forecasting and operational timing.

Lumen Orbit 

Founder: Philip Johnston, Ezra Feilden, Adi Oltean 

AI Initiatives:

1. Vision for Space-Based Data Centers

Lumen Orbit is developing megawatt-scale data centers in space, scalable to gigawatt capacity, to meet the growing energy demands of AI development, such as training models like GPT-6.

2. Advantages of Orbital Operations
The company aims to leverage unique benefits of space, including abundant solar energy, efficient passive cooling in the cold vacuum of space, and the scalability of orbital facilities free from terrestrial constraints.

3. Cost and Environmental Benefits
Lumen Orbit estimates operational costs for a space-based data center could be as low as $8.2 million over a decade, significantly lower than the $167 million for a ground-based facility. Energy expenses may drop to just $2 million over ten years compared to $140 million for a comparable terrestrial center.

4. Strategic Partnerships and Prototypes
In partnership with NVIDIA’s Inception Program, Lumen Orbit plans to launch a demonstrator satellite in May 2025 equipped with GPUs 100 times more powerful than any previously operated in space. This satellite will initiate the first AI model training in orbit.

5. Addressing Technical Challenges
While the vision is promising, Lumen Orbit faces challenges such as protecting technology from solar radiation, developing effective heat management systems, and overcoming logistical issues related to space-based operations.

📣 Want to advertise in AIM Research? Book here >

Picture of Anshika Mathews
Anshika Mathews
Anshika is the Senior Content Strategist for AIM Research. She holds a keen interest in technology and related policy-making and its impact on society. She can be reached at anshika.mathews@aimresearch.co
Subscribe to our Latest Insights
By clicking the “Continue” button, you are agreeing to the AIM Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Recognitions & Lists
Discover, Apply, and Contribute on Noteworthy Awards and Surveys from AIM
AIM Leaders Council
An invitation-only forum of senior executives in the Data Science and AI industry.
Stay Current with our In-Depth Insights
The Most Powerful Generative AI Conference for Enterprise Leaders and Startup Founders

Cypher 2024
21-22 Nov 2024, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA

25 July 2025 | 583 Park Avenue, New York
The Biggest Exclusive Gathering of CDOs & AI Leaders In United States
Our Latest Reports on AI Industry
Supercharge your top goals and objectives to reach new heights of success!