05/14/24

KP Labs Announces LeopardISS Experiment to Join the Polish Mission on the International Space Station


Gliwice, Poland, May 14th, 2024 - KP Labs, a Polish company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for the space sector, is thrilled to announce that its revolutionary LeopardISS project has been selected to participate in the Polish Mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Gliwice-based company's Leopard Data Processing Unit (DPU) will be onboard the ISS, serving as a cutting-edge testing module for scientists, entrepreneurs, and students worldwide.

As part of the LeopardISS project, the advanced data processing unit will demonstrate how AI solutions can be implemented in space. Placed on the ISS, Leopard DPU will allow mission designers to test and refine artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms in actual space conditions, gaining valuable flight heritage and confirming the technology's readiness for orbital deployment. This solution allows scientists, institutions, and companies to validate their technologies in real space without launching their satellites. The project aims to advance Edge Computing technology and Space-Based Data Centers, promoting autonomous data processing in orbit.

The autonomous processing technology was recently tested in orbit by Intuition-1, a satellite launched by KP Labs aboard a SpaceX Falcon rocket. The Leopard DPU processed acquired hyperspectral images and transmitted detailed planetary surface images to Earth. In this case, onboard processing allowed faster reaction times to detect phenomena, reducing analysis time, data transmission, and processing costs.

During the first phase of the experiments onboard the ISS, the Poznan University of Technology, a project partner, will develop tools essential for space exploration, focusing on 3D image mapping. This solution could be applied to planetary rovers in the future. In the second phase, selected scientists, institutions, or companies will be able to run their algorithms in a controlled environment to verify their effectiveness in orbit

"Leopard is proof that we can meet the most demanding challenges of the space sector. Enabling the testing of artificial intelligence algorithms and data processing in space conditions represents a milestone in providing access to space for research, academic, and commercial entities. I am confident that the experience gained during this mission will contribute to developing our partners' projects and open up new international prospects" 
-- said Michał Zachara, Vice President of KP Labs.

Experiments planned as part of the Polish Mission on the ISS will be conducted by a Polish astronaut, who will head to space in early 2025 on the Dragon spacecraft and spend ten days on the ISS. His task will be to test advanced technologies created by Polish engineers and conduct a series of scientific experiments. These space experiments will be possible thanks to an increase in Poland's financial contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA).

"Conducting experiments in microgravity conditions will enhance the competitiveness of Polish research and accelerate the commercialization of Polish space technologies. Each of the planned experiments contributes to the development of global scientific knowledge and offers a unique opportunity for the practical application of research findings in future technological solutions on Earth"
-- adds Professor Grzegorz Wrochna, President of the Polish Space Agency.

Media Contact
Julia Wiśniowska
+48 530 523 011
jwisniowska@kplabs.pl

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About KP Labs
Founded in 2016, KP Labs is a New Space company with a mission to accelerate space exploration by advancing autonomous spacecraft operation and robotic technology. They operate as a comprehensive provider, offering an integrated package of hardware, software, and algorithms developed in-house for on-board data processing. Currently, KP Labs is carrying out more than 25 projects for ESA, NASA, and private entities, actively participating in space missions within international consortia. The company employs about 80 specialists and has the status of Research and Development Centre granted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Poland.