EMM and University Würzburg Successfully Kicked Off DLR-Funded NOVA Project

Engineering Minds Munich GmbH has successfully kicked off the DLR-funded research project NOVA – Neural Onboard Vision and Autonomy together with ESSEO of the University of Würzburg. The project focuses on the development of a next-generation camera payload computer for AI-accelerated Earth observation, enabling intelligent image processing directly onboard satellites.

The rapidly growing volume of Earth observation data poses a major challenge: how can it all be processed in time? NOVA tackles this by moving image analysis into orbit. Instead of sending all images to Earth, satellites process data onboard and transmit only relevant information, such as detected wildfires, ships, or cloud coverage.

As part of the project, EMM is developing a dedicated electronics board that connects the satellite camera with the satellite bus and provides the computing platform for onboard AI processing. The technical foundation is a reconfigurable FPGA-based processing architecture, which is particularly well suited for energy-efficient AI applications in space. By using FPGA technology, the onboard image processing pipeline and AI accelerator can be adapted even after launch, allowing the system to be optimized for different detection tasks and mission scenarios.

This in-orbit reconfiguration capability is a key innovation of the NOVA project. It enables future satellites to become more flexible, efficient, and autonomous by allowing AI models and processing functions to be updated or adjusted during the mission. Potential applications include Earth observation, environmental monitoring, disaster response, maritime surveillance, and scientific missions.

A central element of the NOVA project is the planned in-orbit demonstration on a CubeSat platform of the University of Würzburg. This flight opportunity will allow the developed camera payload computer and onboard processing concept to be validated under real space conditions. ESSEO will contribute its expertise in satellite systems and will work on the development of the AI-acceleration approach, enabling intelligent image analysis directly on the satellite.

With NOVA, EMM and the ESSEO group of the University of Würzburg aim to contribute to the next generation of intelligent satellite systems and create new opportunities for autonomous space technologies. The project strengthens EMM’s product and technology roadmap in the field of compact payload computers, FPGA-based onboard processing, and AI-enabled camera systems for future space missions.

The project NOVA – FPGA-basierte resiliente Erdbeobachtung und Aufklärung is funded by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) with funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) based on a resolution of the German Bundestag under grant number FKZ 50RY2605B.