rasdaman newsletter 03/2026
SkyFed Takes Off: Federated Datacubes for Space
The SkyFed project introduces federated datacubes to a satellite's onboard computer. Using rasdaman technology, modern big data cube analysis is becoming available on edge devices, especially nano satellites. This will help overcome downlink limits and incompatibilities in massive Earth observation data streams.
The project officially launched with the kick-off on January 23 where the three research partner teams met, rasdaman GmbH (RAS, lead), Constructor University (CU) and Bremen University of Applied Sciences (HSB). The teams are led by Prof. Dr. Peter Baumann (RAS/CU) and Prof. Dr. Antonio Francisco García Márquez (HSB).
Together, the team has started developing a space-ready onboard datacube server, based on low-cost consumer electronics. The construction of this prototype is intended to lay the foundation for smart, yet cheap satellites that can collaborate and process data in a federated manner.
Technically, the demonstrator integrates a Raspberry Pi on which the rasdaman server is installed, operating in parallel and independently from the original single-board computer that controls the satellite. Open standards enable hardware and data integration, edge intelligence, and data fusion. This satellite stack can be operated on satellites as well as drones, federated with data centers, clouds, et. Thus, SkyFed is paving the way for the largest geo-data pool in orbit with standardization.
The two-year project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE), including via the Senator for Economic Affairs, Ports, and Transformation, and Bremer Aufbaubank (BAB).
More information: SkyFed Space Website
contact: Prof. Dr. Peter Baumann and Prof. Dr. Antonio Francisco Garcia Marin