SerenSat.
AI CubeSat

SerenSat-AI is the UK’s first 2U AI-powered CubeSat equipped with three onboard cameras and real-time edge processing, it pioneers onboard machine learning, autonomous Earth observation, and intelligent data handling in orbit.

Our Team

A new era of intelligent space systems

At the heart of Infinity Space’s mission is a bold commitment to redefining what small satellites can do. SerenSat-AI marks the beginning of a new chapter in British space innovation, one where satellites don’t just observe, but think. Designed and built in Wales, this groundbreaking 2U CubeSat integrates artificial intelligence directly into orbit, enabling real-time decision-making and autonomous imaging far above Earth. As the UK's first CubeSat to demonstrate onboard AI edge processing through a triple-camera payload, SerenSat-AI represents a shift toward smarter, faster, and more efficient satellite systems, offering a glimpse into a future where intelligent spacecraft work independently to support science, security, and sustainability across our planet.

A New Chapter in British Space Innovation SerenSat-AI

The UK has a proud history of pushing boundaries in science and technology, and now, SerenSat-AI carries that legacy into low Earth orbit. Developed by Infinity Space in Wales, SerenSat-AI is more than just a satellite; it is a milestone for British-led space innovation. By embedding artificial intelligence into the very core of its operations, this 2U CubeSat will not only observe the Earth but will interpret what it sees, adapt in real time, and decide what data truly matters, all without direct input from mission control.

This marks a fundamental shift in how we design and operate space systems. Traditionally, satellites have relied heavily on ground-based processing, often sending vast amounts of raw data back to Earth. SerenSat-AI breaks that mold. It uses edge computing and neural networks onboard to filter, analyse, and act instantly. This ability to process and prioritise data in orbit opens new doors for scientific research, environmental monitoring, disaster response, and space-based AI development.

SerenSat Spacecraft Specifications

CubeSat Platform: Infinity Space NextStar 2U Chassis
Payload Volume: 1.2U
Payload Average Power Consumption: 850 mW
Peak Power Generation: 3 W
Primary Payload: Triple-Camera Imaging Suite (Nadir, Oblique, Star Tracker Cameras)
Secondary Payload: Onboard AI Edge Processing Unit for Real-Time Image Analysis
Tertiary Payload: Environmental and Attitude Sensors for Contextual Data Fusion
Antenna: 437 MHz UHF Dipole Antenna
Data Storage: 256 Mb NOR Flash Memory
Payload Data Downlink Rate: 5.2 Mb/s (UHF)

What Makes SerenSat-AI Different from Traditional Satellites?

SerenSat-AI represents a significant departure from the conventional satellite model by integrating artificial intelligence directly onboard. Unlike traditional satellites that capture vast amounts of raw data and rely heavily on ground stations for processing, SerenSat-AI processes and interprets its own data in real time using advanced edge AI technologies.

Furthermore, SerenSat-AI's unique triple-camera system enhances its observational capabilities by capturing images from multiple perspectives simultaneously. Coupled with its onboard AI processing unit, the satellite can analyse complex scenes, detect anomalies, and adapt its imaging strategy without waiting for human input.

Tranciever Specifications. Communication Performance and Security

SerenSat-AI’s transceiver operates from a single 5V input with low-noise 3.3V and 4.2V rails, optimising power use for reliable communication. Transmit power consumption is 5.12 W, while receiving uses just 0.24 W, balancing efficiency and performance. With a 25 kHz bandwidth, the transceiver supports a 5.2 Mb/s payload data downlink over UHF. Both uplink and downlink data are secured using AES-128 encryption, ensuring mission data remains protected throughout transmission.

System Communication Specifications.

The system operates seamlessly with a single 5V DC input, maintaining low noise levels on its 3.3V and 4.2V rails for stable performance. The UART systems interface is characterized by a transmit power consumption of 5.12 W and a remarkably efficient receive power consumption of 0.24 W, contributing to energy-conscious operation. Communication parameters are optimized with a 25 kHz bandwidth, ensuring reliable data transfer.

The payload data downlink capability reaches 5.2 Mb/s through UHF, demonstrating high-speed and efficient communication capabilities. Additionally, the system incorporates an AES-128 encryption for uplink data, reinforcing security measures and safeguarding sensitive information during downlink transmission.

OVM StarTracker: Precision Space Navigation

Our cutting-edge OVM StarTracker module delivers low-cost, power-efficient attitude and angular velocity determination for CubeSats. Designed for our SerenSat mission, it ensures precise orientation in the challenging environment of space. This innovation paves the way for affordable and reliable satellite navigation.

Why Intelligence Matters
More Than Ever in Orbit

As the number of satellites and space missions grows exponentially, onboard intelligence becomes crucial to managing limited resources like power, bandwidth, and communication windows. Traditional satellites often send large volumes of raw data to Earth, creating bottlenecks and delays. SerenSat-AI changes this paradigm by processing data onboard in real time, allowing the satellite to prioritise what is important and reduce unnecessary transmissions.

On Board Avionics Specifications

The system is equipped with a Texas Instruments TMS570 microcontroller, ensuring robust processing capabilities. Its external memory features a 128 Mb NOR flash, providing ample storage for efficient data handling. The file uplink and downlink protocol are facilitated through the CCSDS File Delivery Protocol, promoting seamless communication. A bootloader is incorporated, enabling over-the-air firmware updates using the CFDP protocol. The non-volatile configuration table is capable of storing up to three tables in MRAM, ensuring persistent and reliable data retention. Operating on FreeRTOS v10, the system benefits from a reliable real-time operating system. Additionally, an integrated NovAtel OEM719 GNSS receiver enhances the system's navigational capabilities.

Turning Images into Insight. AI-Powered Interpretation in Real Time

SerenSat-AI leverages advanced onboard AI to transform raw satellite images into actionable insights instantly. Instead of sending vast amounts of unprocessed data to the ground, the satellite’s AI system analyses images in orbit, detecting important features such as cloud cover, wildfires, or urban expansion. This real-time interpretation allows the mission to prioritise valuable data, making communications more efficient and timely.

This capability not only saves bandwidth but also enables faster response times for critical applications like disaster monitoring and environmental assessment. By embedding machine learning directly into its imaging pipeline, SerenSat-AI represents a major step toward truly autonomous satellite operations, where decision-making happens where the data is captured — high above the Earth.

Power System Specifications

Day Time Efficiency: 87% average
Night Time Efficiency: 70% average
Power Distribution Voltage Accuracy: ±3%
Short Circuit Protection: Latch Off, under 5us
Transient Recovery Time: 150us
Deployment Timer: 30 minute deployment timer
Requirements for Lithium-ion Batteries Applicable to CubeSats & Small Satellites on the Vega Launch Vehicle

Smarter, Smaller, Faster. The 2U CubeSat Platform Behind the Mission

The SerenSat-AI mission is built on the compact and versatile 2U CubeSat platform, a form factor that packs powerful capabilities into a small, lightweight package. This compact design enables quicker development, lower launch costs, and greater flexibility for a wide range of space missions.

Despite its small size, the 2U CubeSat platform is engineered to support complex operations, including precision attitude control, power management, and high-speed data transmission. By leveraging proven subsystems and innovative engineering, SerenSat-AI can deliver sophisticated onboard intelligence while maintaining resilience in the harsh environment of low Earth orbit. This blend of smart design and compact engineering makes the 2U CubeSat an ideal foundation for advancing the next generation of autonomous space technology.

What the Satellite Will Be Looking For and Why It Matters

SerenSat-AI is equipped with a sophisticated triple-camera system and onboard AI designed to monitor and analyse a variety of Earth features and phenomena. From detecting wildfire hotspots and monitoring cloud coverage to observing coastal changes and urban expansion, the satellite’s intelligent imaging capabilities enable it to identify and prioritise data that is most relevant for environmental monitoring, disaster response, and scientific research. This targeted observation reduces unnecessary data transmission and accelerates the delivery of critical information to decision-makers.

Learning in Orbit. Testing AI Resilience in the Harsh Environment of Space

Operating artificial intelligence systems in the demanding conditions of low Earth orbit presents unique challenges, including exposure to radiation, extreme temperature fluctuations, and limited power availability. SerenSat-AI is designed not only to demonstrate onboard AI capabilities but also to test how these systems perform and adapt in space’s harsh environment. By monitoring the AI’s behaviour over time, the mission will gather valuable data on model accuracy, fault tolerance, and system reliability, paving the way for more robust autonomous space technologies.