Skip to main content Skip to main navigation

AI for Earth observation

Every day, satellites deliver vast quantities of data about our planet, ranging from information on vegetation and water levels to details on climate change. It is almost impossible for humans alone to keep track of these vast quantities of data. The research department Smart Data & Knowledge Services focuses on developing AI-supported methods that can efficiently evaluate raw data and convert it into actionable knowledge. Machine learning methods enable patterns to be recognised, anomalies to be identified, and developments to be accurately predicted – providing a valuable basis for decision-making in science, politics, and business.

© ESA/ATG medialab
Sentinel-2 satellites of the European Copernicus program capture high-resolution multispectral images of the Earth's surface.

Agriculture provides a particularly tangible example of this: researchers have developed an AI system that optimises the planning of agricultural activities, minimises risks, and makes more efficient use of resources. Using satellite data and machine learning, environmental conditions can be analysed in real time, including weather, soil conditions, and the state of vegetation. This allows farmers to make more precise decisions regarding everything from the optimal time for sowing to harvesting.

Another area of research involves developing digital twins of the Earth. These virtual models integrate various data sources, primarily satellite data, to provide comprehensive, up-to-date information on climate, vegetation, water levels, and urbanisation. Based on this information, climate, environmental, and urbanisation scenarios can be simulated, and predictive analyses can be carried out.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Dengel, Head of Smart Data & Knowledge Services

"Data alone is worthless; only through intelligent analysis does it become knowledge. AI methods can be used to identify natural hazards early, utilise resources more efficiently, and simulate future developments. Digital twins of the Earth help us understand climate and environmental processes, enabling the development of well-founded action plans."

Prof. Dr. Andreas Dengel, Head of Smart Data & Knowledge Services

Links

DFKI4Space

Contact

Prof. Dr. Andreas Dengel

Tel.: +49 631 20575 1000

Further articles on space explorations

DFKI4Space
  1. © ESA

    Future concepts for autonomous, AI-supported space missions

    The Cyber-Physical Systems research department develops new concepts for autonomous and AI-enabled missions aimed at fundamentally transforming space exploration.
  2. © DFKI, Tobias Stark

    Autonomous robotics for space exploration

    The Robotics Innovation Center has been developing autonomous mobile systems for over two decades, capable of independently exploring other planets and performing complex tasks.
  3. Trümmer und defekte Raketenstufen im geostationären Ring.© ESA

    AI for collision avoidance in orbit

    The Smart Data & Knowledge Services research department has been focusing extensively on AI-based analysis of the orbits of active and inactive satellites as well as known space debris.
  1. © Novespace

    Intelligent technologies for astronaut training

    The Robotics Innovation Center and Cognitive Assistants research departments are exploring innovative training methods to prepare astronauts efficiently and realistically for future missions – already here on Earth.
  2. © DFKI, Thomas Frank

    Space research in national and international collaborations

    The DFKI collaborates within a close network of leading national and international space agencies, research institutes, and top companies in the space industry.
  3. © THW/Yann Walsdorf

    From space to Earth – Technology transfer for societal progress

    The technologies developed at DFKI have an impact far beyond space. They create tangible societal benefits on Earth, for example through more precise climate and environmental monitoring or more effective disaster prevention.

Unique research and testing infrastructure for space robots

© DFKI, Annemarie Popp

The Robotics Innovation Center in Bremen features a highly specialized research and testing infrastructure that enables the practical development and evaluation of robotic systems under realistic conditions. Systems, modules, and control units are tested iteratively to systematically increase their technology readiness and gradually adapt them to the requirements of planetary and orbital missions.

Test facilities:

  • Crater landscape: Simulates Moon and Mars conditions, including slopes of up to 45°.
  • Maritime Exploration Hall: Underwater and microgravity experiments with motion tracking.
  • Virtual Reality Lab: Immersive environment for simulation, mission control, and teleoperation.
  • ISO-compliant cleanroom: Hardware and electronics integration and quality control.

Field tests worldwide:
Testing under space-analog conditions on Earth, e.g., deserts, lava caves, or ice-covered waters.

ESA_Lab@DFKI – AI for space

OPS-SAT der ESA, ein 2019 ins All geschickter Mini-Satellit© ESA

To develop new AI technologies and applications for civil spaceflight, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the DFKI established the ESA_Lab@DFKI.

At the transfer lab in Kaiserslautern, researchers from both institutions work together on:

  • AI systems for analyzing complex Earth observation data
  • Solutions for satellite collision avoidance

This collaboration fosters a close exchange between research and practical space operations.