Unibap Space Solutions AB, Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, is driving innovation in edge computing hardware, software, and services for intelligent space missions. With a mission to deliver “trustworthy innovation in space,” Unibap specializes in rugged, space-hardened computing platforms that empower satellites to run advanced AI/ML workloads in orbit, enabling real-time data processing, autonomy, and transformative use cases. With over six missions flown, 30+ units in orbit and more than 3,000 accumulated days in space, Unibap has firmly established its expertise in edge computing for space systems.
Solutions and Products for Intelligent Space Missions
Unibap Space Solutions has created a unique niche in the global aerospace ecosystem by pioneering edge computing technologies for space-based platforms. The company offers an advanced suite of radiation-tolerant hardware, software and integrated systems that enable satellites to carry out real-time data processing, AI inference and autonomous decision-making in orbit, without the need for constant ground communication. This shift from centralized ground-based processing to in-satellite intelligence is critical for missions where latency, bandwidth, and autonomy are operational constraints.
Unibap’s product suite focuses on high-performance space computing:
- iX5 and iX10 Edge Computers: The radiation-tolerant iX5, ideal for smaller satellites with power efficiency and the powerful iX10, equipped with multi-core CPUs, GPUs, VPUs, and FPGAs, offer unmatched processing density for tasks like hyperspectral imaging and real-time analytics. The iX5 is a compact, energy-efficient processor designed for CubeSats and small satellites, ideal for running basic onboard analytics, data compression and mission control algorithms. The iX10 is a high-performance computing platform built with multi-core CPUs, GPU acceleration, FPGA integration and high-speed I/O, offering a level of processing power rarely seen in space-rated systems. These processors support advanced machine learning (ML) and computer vision applications, which are increasingly vital for commercial Earth observation, defense and scientific missions.
- Application Development System (ADS): A software-hardware package enabling mission teams to prototype applications for space deployment dramatically shortening development time. Developers can validate AI and software pipelines in conditions identical to their target space hardware, thereby shortening development cycles and de-risking mission integration. This Application Developmet System (ADS) supports popular frameworks and operating environments like Ubuntu, ROS and TensorFlow, enabling seamless transitions between ground and flight systems.
- Unibap SCOS OS and LOOM Pipeline: An Ubuntu-based operating system with long-term support, complemented by a hyperspectral preprocessing software stack that facilitates onboard data reduction and sensor fusion. SCOS integrates tightly with Unibap hardware and software stacks and provides a flexible, secure, and open-source platform for executing onboard tasks, whether scientific data collection, environment monitoring or AI-driven payload operation.
- SpaceCloud Services: A cloud-like edge environment enabling on-orbit computing, data processing, and distribution for applications including disaster monitoring, agricultural analysis, and space domain awareness. These solutions distinguish Unibap from competitors by offering serial production, robust qualification, open-platform architecture, and proven flight heritage, all key for customers seeking scalable intelligence in orbit. SpaceCloud Services combine edge computing with advanced data management tools. SpaceCloud brings open software compatibility, making it easier for clients to port and run AI, data analytics and sensor fusion algorithms directly on-orbit. This capability transforms satellites into smart, responsive platforms capable of real-time event detection, such as tracking wildfires, floods, or unauthorized maritime activity with minimal delay. These services allow users to process data onboard, perform real-time analytics, and prioritize the most valuable data for downlink dramatically reducing bandwidth requirements while enhancing mission effectiveness. The services include modular software components for data compression, encryption, image preprocessing, and sensor fusion tailored for diverse customer applications.
Missions and Collaborations
Unibap Space Solutions has been instrumental in a series of high-profile missions and collaborations that underscore its influence in the space technology sector. These missions span across defense, commercial Earth observation, scientific research and governmental initiatives demonstrating the versatility and robustness of the in-space computing systems. The notable collaborations is with the European Space Agency (ESA) through the InCubed programme by ESA Φ-lab, Unibap successfully demonstrated its SpaceCloud computing platform in orbit, showcasing the feasibility of advanced onboard analytics for Earth observation data. This mission proved the concept of using artificial intelligence and cloud computing in space, enabling satellites to autonomously detect and process relevant Earth observation events such as floods, wildfires and crop health anomalies drastically reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted back to Earth. Another landmark collaboration includes the DISA (Distributed Space Analytics) project with Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) and OHB Sweden, where Unibap supplied onboard computing hardware for distributed AI processing across satellite constellations. The mission explored a next-generation satellite data processing concept where multiple satellites work together to perform coordinated analytics and decision-making tasks, an essential capability for future autonomous constellations.
A partnership with Dragonfly Aerospace integrates Unibap’s iX5/iX10 edge processing platforms with spectral imaging payloads (Gecko, Mantis, Chameleon, Caiman), enabling onboard AI/ML workflows. Unibap has also partnered with D-Orbit, a leading space logistics company, integrating its iX10 high-performance computer into ION Satellite Carriers. These orbital transfer vehicles utilize Unibap’s edge computing solutions to process telemetry data, monitor mission health, and optimize satellite deployment procedures in real-time setting a new standard for autonomous space logistics and in-orbit services. These strategic collaborations validates Unibap’s technologies and serve as a springboard for future innovations in autonomous space systems, inter-satellite communication and real-time in-orbit data analytics.
Application Areas & Use Cases
Unibap systems are deployed across critical use cases:
- Edge Computing: Onboard processing of Earth-observation imagery to detect events like wildfires in seconds, reducing latency and downlink bandwidth .
- Autonomous Operations: Satellite self-management including collision avoidance and responsive tasking without ground intervention.
- Payload Control & Sensor Fusion: Merging hyperspectral, infrared, and visible data streams to produce richer intelligence and facilitate cognitive sensing.
- Cloud Computing in Space: Seamlessly offloading compute from constrained satellites to nearby spacecraft, enabling distributed in-orbit processing architectures
Unibap Space Solutions is at the forefront of the space edge computing revolution, providing scalable, flight-proven solutions that empower satellites to become intelligent, autonomous systems. With a strong pipeline of missions, strategic industry partnerships and leadership in AI/ML payload integration, Unibap is set to define the future of intelligent space systems.
