Israeli satellite company unveils AI-powered Earth observation platform

Israeli satellite company ImageSat International (ISI) announced Tuesday that it has developed EROS NOVA, an AI-powered Earth observation platform designed to analyze data from multiple sensors and allow operators to gather and operationalize intelligence in real time, even from thousands of miles away.

The EROS NOVA satellite will capture imagery of objects on Earth’s surface at a native resolution of 25 cm (a little less than 10 in), which the company describes as “very-very-high resolution.” The satellite is also designed to combine high-resolution optical imaging, short-wave infrared sensing and video collection on a single platform, allowing customers to access multiple types of intelligence without purchasing separate datasets from different satellite providers.

“EROS NOVA represents the next generation of space-based intelligence, bringing together advanced imaging, multiple sensing capabilities and onboard intelligence in a single satellite platform,” said Noam Segal, CEO of ISI. “It is designed to help intelligence organizations extract greater value from every collection and respond more rapidly to evolving operational needs, providing greater flexibility and a faster path from satellite collection to operational insight.”

The company says its AI capabilities will allow data collected by the satellite and other sensors to be processed and analyzed more quickly, potentially giving intelligence and defense organizations faster access to actionable information.

ISI describes itself as a provider of sovereign space-based intelligence systems, offering satellite missions, ground infrastructure and AI-powered analytics. About half of its business involves satellite construction, while the remainder focuses on ground-based infrastructure used to collect, process and analyze satellite data.

The company’s first satellite, EROS A, was launched in 2000 in cooperation with Israel Aerospace Industries. It reportedly provided imagery at a resolution of 1.8 meters (about 6 feet). Subsequent satellites in the EROS series have progressively improved imaging capabilities.

ISI’s satellite and intelligence products have attracted international demand, with the company regularly announcing multimillion-dollar contracts with customers whose identities are often not disclosed.

“With a strong international presence and a diverse product portfolio, ISI is well-positioned to respond to evolving security needs and continue expanding its backlog,” Segal said following a recent contract announcement. “I am confident that our technological innovation, global customer base, and the increasing demand in the defense space market will support our continued success in the years to come.”

ISI also operates GeoImpact, which it describes as an AI-powered, multi-intelligence platform designed to integrate space and cross-domain data and provide defense organizations with what the company calls “operational decision advantage.”

The development of EROS NOVA reflects the broader push by commercial satellite companies to combine increasingly high-resolution imagery with AI and multiple sensing technologies. Rather than simply providing raw imagery, these systems are increasingly designed to process large volumes of data and deliver analyzed intelligence to customers more quickly.