Innovating Space-Based Data Processing
NOVI Space, a Virginia-based startup, is gearing up to launch its first two satellites in 2026 as part of a planned remote sensing constellation. These satellites will demonstrate a cutting-edge approach: onboard edge computing powered by advanced artificial intelligence, aimed at transforming how satellite data is processed and utilized for both defense and commercial purposes.
Pioneering Compute-in-Space for Faster Data Insights
CEO Michael Bartholomeusz describes NOVI as a “compute-in-space” company, specializing in deploying high-powered, miniaturized computers aboard satellites. “We’ve developed onboard inference algorithms that analyze data directly in orbit,” he explained during the GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis. This capability allows the satellites to process sensor data immediately—reducing latency and enabling near real-time insights without relying on ground stations.
First Satellites to Launch on SpaceX Rideshares
The initial “VISTAsat” satellites will piggyback aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-16 and -17 rideshare missions in early 2026. NOVI’s ultimate vision is a 40-satellite constellation orbiting by 2028, capable of providing daily revisits to any location on Earth. This rapid revisit frequency aims to serve both military and commercial needs.
A Multi-Sensor Approach for Versatile Observation
The early satellites will carry a combination of sensors: electro-optical, RGB digital cameras, and hyperspectral sensors with 96 and later 600 spectral bands, including thermal and shortwave infrared. This variety supports a broad spectrum of applications from environmental monitoring to intelligence gathering.
Onboard AI Powering Rapid Decision-Making
The core of NOVI’s innovation is its onboard computing hardware—specifically, the SP240 computer paired with AI/ML software—that has achieved Technology Readiness Level 9. These systems are already operational in missions with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and Missile Defense Agency, validating their reliability and performance.
Defense Proven, Ready for Commercial Expansion
In 2023, the AFRL selected NOVI to develop a Low-Latency Intelligence and Monitoring Experiment (LIME) satellite, which launched in January. This mission validates the ability to transmit processed sensor data via Iridium satellites. Similarly, NOVI’s SEED payload, launched in April 2025 on a Space Force mission, tests onboard processing hardware on the International Space Station.
Reducing Costs to Unlock Commercial Markets
Bartholomeusz emphasizes that onboard processing drastically reduces data transmission costs and response times, which has traditionally been a barrier for commercial remote sensing. “The biggest hurdle has been high costs, which deter many potential customers like farmers or resource managers,” he said. NOVI aims to democratize access to satellite data by making it more affordable and seamless to use.
A New Era for Space Data Utilization
By integrating AI with small, agile satellites, NOVI Space is poised to revolutionize remote sensing—delivering faster, cheaper, and more tailored data directly from space. This approach not only enhances military capabilities but also paves the way for broader commercial applications, ushering in a new era of space-based data intelligence.
