Microsoft joins forces with Australian Institute for Machine Learning to soar into space

Nicholas Moretti and Professor Tat-Jun Chin

Nicholas Moretti (left) and听Professor听Tat-Jun Chin

Exploring how advanced cloud, AI and machine learning can be used in space and to create bold new solutions for terrestrial challenges

Microsoft has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the 成人大片鈥檚听Australian Institute for Machine Learning,听to jointly听explore how advanced cloud computing, AI, computer vision and听machine learning听can be applied in space, beyond Earth鈥檚 surface.

鈥楶roject AI Off Earth鈥櫶齱ill听focus on the cutting edge of innovation in space. It will听conduct modelling, emulation and simulation of complex space operations and systems;听build听algorithms for on-board satellite data processing;听develop solutions for the remote operation and optimisation of satellites,听constellations听and swarms; and address space domain awareness and debris monitoring.

The 成人大片鈥檚 Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) is ranked among world leaders in the application of AI, computer vision and machine learning to real world problems. Microsoft听has deep experience in advanced cloud computing and cognitive systems and听is building Azure Space, a set of cloud offerings which allow organisations to leverage geospatial data,听access anywhere bandwidth,听digitally engineer space systems,听and听engage in remote edge computing听鈥 including in space.

Nicholas Moretti and Professor Tat-Jun Chin discuss the new partnership between Microsoft and the 成人大片's Australian Institute for Machine Learning.

The 成人大片鈥檚 Professor听Tat-Jun Chin is the SmartSat CRC Professorial Chair of Sentient Satellites at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning.

鈥淭he relationship with Microsoft will give us access to cloud-based platforms that will allow us to focus on the investigation on the performance of algorithms used to analyse large amounts of earth-observation data from satellites, without needing to be concerned about gaining access to space at the onset,鈥 he said.

鈥淥ur work on these algorithms has the potential to contribute to many applications, including agricultural land management, water management, mining practices and understanding of economic activity among many other applications.

鈥淎IML鈥檚 vision is to be global leaders in machine learning research, and high impact research translation. To penetrate the global market we need to collaborate with international partners and this relationship with Microsoft presents the opportunity to do that.鈥

Nicholas Moretti, Azure Space Engineer, Microsoft Australia said; 鈥滻 first got exposed to the space industry while I was studying for my undergraduate degree at the 成人大片 and crossed paths with Professor Chin,鈥 he said.

Moretti, who is now based at Adelaide鈥檚 innovation precinct, Lot Fourteen, added; 鈥淲e are delighted to be working with AIML and believe this will help identify important opportunities to use these technologies and capabilities to support agriculture and ecology, economics and financial systems as well as the burgeoning space sector itself.

鈥淎lthough focused on in-space technologies,听Project听AI听Off Earth听will explore听how space related technologies and data, and cognitive systems can be used to support听automation of听multiple听different industries,听help establish听smart cities, as well as address听sustainability and important environment challenges.鈥

AIML and Microsoft are already collaborating using Microsoft Azure Orbital Emulator 鈥 a cloud-based native space emulation environment that enables massive satellite constellation simulations. Using Azure Orbital Emulator, AIML and Project AI Off Earth can quickly develop, evaluate, and train algorithms, machine learning models and AI听intended听for space without need to听launch a single satellite.

鈥淭he 成人大片 undertakes world-leading research in the space sector, as well as many other fields, which aims to find solutions to the challenges facing society,鈥 said the 成人大片鈥檚 Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Anton Middelberg.

鈥淭his exciting new relationship between the Australian Institute for Machine Learning and Microsoft will help AIML鈥檚 expertise to have an impact on a truly global scale.鈥

This important collaboration comes at a time of soaring interest in the space-related economy; the Australian Space Agency鈥檚 goal is to triple the space sector鈥檚 contribution to GDP to $12 billion and create an additional 20,000 jobs by 2030.

South Australian Minister for Trade and Investment, Stephen Patterson said; 鈥淎delaide has established itself as the very heart of Australia鈥檚 space industry. This agreement between AIML and Microsoft, which is building a space team, is a signal of what鈥檚 to come. Australia has the opportunity to be a leading player in the global space industry and this sort of international collaboration 鈥 centred on Adelaide but with a truly global focus 鈥 will strengthen the local industry, help build skills in this important area and reinforce Adelaide鈥檚 reputation as the epicentre of space activity in this part of the world.鈥

AIML and Microsoft Azure Space also intend to use Project听AI听Off Earth to advocate for STEM careers, to advise on structuring of STEM traineeships and scholarships, and to encourage greater participation by women, underprivileged groups, and underrepresented groups.

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