Balkan-1: New step in Earth Observation with AI-Powered Satellite Imaging Capability

Balkan-1, our first Copernicus Contributing Mission satellite, set to significantly enhance the European Sentinel constellation’s coverage.

Balkan-1 is EnduroSat’s pilot Copernicus Contributing Mission which will provide high resolution multispectral images to improve the coverage of the European Sentinel constellation. Balkan will supply images with 1.5 meter resolution critical for agricultural monitoring, forestry, land cover change management, climate impact as well as biodiversity and plant monitoring. Apart from imaging and downlinking the space data to the ground, Balkan-1 carries innovative AI algorithms for image processing, developed by the French company Agenium. These enable the satellite to pre-process the images and detect events or objects of interest such as fires and other natural disasters. In case such an event is detected, Balkan-1 can send a beacon to notify authorities without sending the entire image but only its coordinates and basic assessment. This makes Balkan-1 unique in capability – all traditional EO satellites send the raw data to the ground, where it is processed and similar events are extracted, leading to hours of delay for the detection. This satellite is the first for the Balkan constellation. Increaasing the number of cameras in orbit with this capability, shortens the time for identifying important changes. It also supplies faster than ever before actionable data in the hands of stakeholders.

Transporter 12 carries two satellites built by EnduroSat with 10 more planned for launch within the first half of 2025, including additional satellite for Balkan Constellation.