Q&A With Open Cosmos Founder and CEO, Rafel Jorda Siquier

Founded in 2015, Open Cosmos is a leading space technology business, with facilities in the UK, Spain, Greece and Portugal which manufactures and operates satellites so organisations worldwide can benefit from the richness of satellite data to address their challenges. Open Cosmos has manufactured telecom, earth observation, navigation and scientific satellites that provide solutions to customer problems effectively and sustainably through space-derived insights.

Q: Your OpenConstellation allows for a shared satellite infrastructure. Could you explain how this works / use case for this platform?

A: The Open Constellation is a global, shared satellite infrastructure built by us at Open Cosmos. It allows any country, institution or company to contribute their own satellites and create the world’s biggest mutualised constellation. Our partners, as well as the Open Cosmos team, can use it to access global and reliable shared satellite data that helps them address challenges around climate change, energy, natural disasters and natural resources.

Through the Open Constellation, we are democratising access to this critical data delivering shared end-to-end satellite missions in a fast and affordable way. Sharing that infrastructure minimises the investment required and increases the frequency, abundance and covered areas for everyone’s benefit.

Q: You also offer end-to-end satellite missions, from concept and design, through build, launch procurement and operation of the satellite. How does this benefit the satellite user over the traditional multi stage / company process? Does this enable new industry segments to start using satellite data?

A: As we design, build and operate satellites from our facilities, we’re able to make it much more affordable for businesses to access their own satellite or the critical satellite data we’re able to gather across the Open Constellation. This allows new business cases and the market to grow.

Downstream analytical companies can access a lot of this data in the Data Cosmos platform which provides high-quality data for actionable information on the planet. Here, we use data from our own satellites alongside others already in orbit, algorithms and other sources and partner with AI companies to develop applications so that this data becomes more powerful and actionable. For instance, our partners have applications on the platform that can track changes over time, such as deforestation, urban sprawl or glacier movements, and analyse environmental indicators like air quality, soil moisture, and vegetation health, to support sustainable resource management.

Q: Earlier this year you were selected by the ESA to build an optical constellation for Greece. How does being selected for this project help strengthen your position in the market?

A: This flagship project forms part of the Hellenic Government's procurement of an advanced satellite constellation, demonstrating its commitment to delivering economic and environmental benefits for Greece and European citizens at large. The data collected from this constellation will be instrumental in improving public services such as the land registry, combating sea pollution, and increasing agricultural efficiency.

Our Greek arm - Open Cosmos Aegean builds and operates the satellites and we have opened a manufacturing centre in Athens which will enhance sovereign capabilities in satellite technologies and attract further investment to the country. By overseeing regional sales and complementing other European operations, Open Cosmos Aegean will play a crucial role in future European and international programmes.

Q: You also recently launched Phisat-2 (Φsat2), an AI capable satellite. What are the benefits of AI running on the satellite?

A: AI has already proved invaluable for helping scientists, policymakers and operators analyse terabytes of satellite data. Yet while most of this AI processing takes place on the ground, after the data has been downloaded, the Phisat-2 mission allows it to happen at source and in real-time. Instead of downlinking reams of raw data, the onboard apps can process and transmit only the most essential information back to Earth, giving tangible benefits in data transmission efficiency and resulting in faster decision-making.

This will prove critical for disaster response efforts, maritime monitoring, environmental protection, cloud detection and more.

We’ve already been able to share the first test images of Phisat 2’s onboard camera - captured over Greece, Spain and Gibraltar.

Q: The satellite is currently running 4 AI apps, with 2 more to be uploaded in orbit. Do you see further applications being developed and uploaded to the satellite?

A: Yes - that is one of the great things about satellite technology now that it is possible to develop and test new applications once the satellite has been launched. The NanoSat MO Framework means apps can be installed, updated and operated remotely from Earth.

Q: Do you see AI becoming a more requested feature for future satellite developments?

A: Yes. We are part of a consortium led by TESAT for a pioneering 6G satellite precursor. We will be delivering an in-orbit laboratory gaining knowledge on algorithms and AI methods for potential 5G and 6G use cases. Given the prevalence of AI and the potential impact it will have as a technology across sectors, it’s likely we will continue to see it play a role in satellites and space.

Q: What do you have coming up in the near future?

A: We recently opened a new facility in Space Park Leicester in the UK where we are partnering with scientists and engineers on-site for the development of the Elfen project. The Elfen project aims to measure solar wind in near-Earth space, which is matter blown from the sun into the solar system.

We have also expanded our operations in Portugal, where we will build three Portuguese satellites and incorporate them into our Open Constellation.

We have a number of other projects in the pipeline that will be scheduled to launch next year and into 2026 so watch this space.