Simera Sense and Zaitra Partners to Enhance EO Efficiency with Tailored On-Orbit Intelligence Solutions
Simera Sense and Zaitra have announced a strategic partnership aimed at combining their respective technologies to address pressing bottlenecks in Earth Observation data processing, ultimately delivering immediate actionable insights to end-users.
Through this partnership, the two companies emphasise a new era where satellites evolve from passive cameras to intelligent systems capable of making instant, efficient decisions. The driving force behind this collaboration is their shared ambition to unite cutting-edge capabilities, smart compression, rapid detection, and real-time decision-making, and deliver a breakthrough onboard processing solution that elevates Earth Observation to a new level.
A Rapidly Evolving Market
Reflecting on this partnership, both companies understand that the Earth Observation sector is rapidly evolving. Compared to the last decade, the next ten years (2025–2034) are expected to see 2.75 times more Earth Observation satellites launched, with four times as many equipped with space-based edge computers. This rise is fuelled by the explosion of high-resolution data and the growing demand for real-time insights. In this context, the collaboration between Simera Sense and Zaitra positions both companies at the forefront of this industry transformation.
Addressing the Data Bottleneck
Simera Sense’s advanced sensors, such as the MultiScape100 and HyperScape100, produce gigabits of data per scene, quickly exceeding available downlink capacity and slowing the flow of critical information. In situations where lives, assets, and resources are at risk, latency is not an option.
An Integrated Approach to On-Orbit Processing
- Capture: Simera Sense’s instruments collect rich multispectral and hyperspectral imagery tailored for applications such as disaster response, agriculture, and urban planning.
- Detect: Zaitra’s SKAISEN AI engine pinpoints high-value targets, including urban areas, infrastructure, and disaster zones, while filtering out irrelevant data such as clouds.
- Compress Smart: SKAIPACK applies advanced JPEG2000 compression with Region of Interest (ROI) prioritisation, preserving critical regions in lossless quality and heavily compressing lower-value areas.
- Transmit Fast: SKAIDOCK delivers high-speed onboard processing and progressive transmission, ensuring that the most important pixels reach analysts within minutes of acquisition.
Furthermore, the new onboard processing solution combines advanced imaging and AI-driven compression to overcome data bottlenecks and deliver actionable insights in minutes.
Leadership Vision
Commenting on this innovative collaboration, Marek Marusin, CEO of Zaitra, said:
“We’re bringing intelligence to the edge, enabling satellites to analyse data before they transmit and deliver insights exactly when they’re needed. Our technology achieves results 10 times faster and 10 times cheaper than the industry standard. And this is only possible thanks to our partnership with Simera Sense. Their flight-proven cameras provide the high-quality data our models rely on, enabling a seamless, integrated payload that raises the benchmark for commercial Earth observation.”
Thys Cronje, Chief Commercial Officer at Simera Sense, added:
“Our imagers produce some of the most detailed data in the industry, and we understand that delayed data means late decisions. With Zaitra’s Edge Suite onboard, we can overcome the bottlenecks that have long limited Earth Observation’s potential.”
About Zaitra
ZAITRA is a Czech space startup founded in 2020, developing onboard AI-powered software SKAISEN, and space-grade Data Processing Units SKAIDOCK. By enabling real-time data processing in orbit and enhancing mission autonomy, ZAITRA helps satellite integrators reduce reliance on ground segments. In 2024, ZAITRA secured EUR 1.7 million in pre-seed funding, with products already deployed in multiple commercial and defence missions.
About Simera Sense
Simera Sense is a leading provider of optical payloads and data analytics for satellite Earth observation. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Belgium, with offices in France, South Africa and the United Kingdom, the company serves over 50 clients worldwide. It delivers end-to-end solutions for small satellite imagers across RGB, video, multispectral, and hyperspectral applications.