AI-Powered Satellite Helps Finland Detect Toxic Algae from Space
Finland is turning to cutting-edge technology to protect its waters. In a groundbreaking pilot project, Finnish tech startup Kuva Space has partnered with the Finnish Environment Institute (Skye) to monitor toxic algae blooms using an AI-powered satellite equipped with advanced hyperspectral sensors. This innovative approach aims to provide real-time insights into water health, especially focusing on harmful cyanobacteria, often called blue-green algae.
These microscopic organisms thrive in Finnish lakes and coastal waters during the summer, posing serious risks to both humans and wildlife. Traditional detection methods, which rely on water sampling, are costly, time-consuming, and limited in scope. Moreover, cyanobacteria are hard to distinguish visually from other harmless algae, making accurate tracking even more difficult.
The Hyperfield-1A hyperspectral satellite from Kuva Space, which was launched in August 2024, can read a wider range of light than regular sensors. This ability lets it find the unique spectral signatures of things on Earth, like toxic algae. The company’s AI models are learning from a mix of satellite images, water samples, and genetic and biochemical analysis. The AI will get better at recognizing certain types of algae and estimating their biomass over time.
Jenni Attila, leading researcher and group manager at Skye, expressed optimism about the collaboration:
Kuva Space has ambitious plans. By 2030, it aims to deploy a constellation of 100 satellites, capable of analysing the chemical composition of both natural environments and human-made materials. While the current focus is on monitoring cyanobacteria, the same technology has a wide range of applications.
In farming, the AI-powered sensors can help keep an eye on the health of crops. They can keep an eye on fish populations, water quality, and even find out if people are fishing illegally in the ocean. The technology could find chemical leaks in factories, and defense agencies might use it to keep an eye on things.
This partnership between Kuva and Skye is a big step forward in keeping an eye on the environment. Finland may soon be the best in the world at managing water quality from space by using hyperspectral imaging and artificial intelligence together.
