on {ai}r | AI for Space - Lifting Off with AI: From Earth to Space | Ateleris
on {ai}r | AI for Space - Lifting Off with AI: From Earth to Space | Ateleris
This series explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the space sector, with a specific focus on its potential to address pressing environmental and societal challenges. The aim is to present current research and practical applications of AI both in processing the huge amount of Earth Observations from satellite data on the ground and in enabling autonomous, resilient operations in space. The format combines scientific presentations with panel discussions, creating a platform for knowledge exchange across academia, industry, and policy.
The series is structured into 2 x 60-minute sessions:
1.) AI at Scale: Big Data Analytics for Climate, Society, and Scientific Discovery
As Earth faces unprecedented challenges due to climate change and biodiversity loss, space technologies, empowered by artificial intelligence, are becoming essential tools for understanding, monitoring, and acting upon these global issues.
This session focuses on the use of AI to analyze satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) data in order to improve our understanding of environmental dynamics and planetary health. It will explore scientific challenges in handling large, heterogeneous datasets, including multispectral, hyperspectral, and radar imagery, with particular attention to time-series modeling, semantic segmentation, and scalable processing pipelines. Emphasis will be placed on large data analysis and exploitation, edge computing, and cloud-based geospatial platforms, all of which are key to enabling near-real-time environmental monitoring at global scale.
--> This first session envisions:
• A 20-minute joint presentation which will focus on the changes our Planet is facing and will showcase how AI can be applied to EO data for deforestation detection, land-use classification, snow coverage, and climate risk mapping. Focus on use cases, technological questions, challenges, and solutions.
• A 25-minute panel discussion among users and specialists who work in the EO sector to address how AI methods are being developed to derive actionable insights from EO data and support long-term decision-making for the benefit of our society and environment.
• A 15-minute Ask Me Anything session where the audience can directly interact with the panelists.
Speakers: Dr. Jasmin Kesselring (UZH) and Dr. Gaetan Petit (askEarth)
Panelists: Simon Felix (Ateleris GmbH), Henry Martin (Jua) and Valerie Zermatten (EPFL)
2.) AI in Space: Enhancing Mission Resilience and Autonomy to Protect Us and Venture Out
The second session shifts focus to the use of AI onboard satellites and other space systems. Key topics include autonomy in spacecraft operations, real-time data processing in orbit, and the role of AI in enabling rapid response to natural disasters and other time-critical scenarios. The discussion will also address long-term challenges in sustainable space logistics and satellite fleet management.
This second session envisions:
• A 20-minute presentation to highlight scientific and technical challenges of deploying AI in space environments, such as energy and computational constraints, radiation-hardened hardware, and model robustness.
• A 25-minute panel discussion will explore current and emerging applications of onboard AI, including in-orbit data triage, anomaly detection, mission planning, and autonomous decision-making for planetary and Earth observation missions.
• A 15-minute Ask Me Anything session where the audience can directly interact with the panelists.
By connecting ground-based and in-orbit perspectives, this series starts from research needs that address key scientific challenges and concludes with panel discussions showcasing how AI can enable innovative solutions for societal resilience and for the benefit of our Planet. The program offers insights into emerging research, practical applications, and opportunities for collaboration at the intersection of AI, space, and sustainability.
Speakers: Laszlo Etesi (Ateleris GmbH)
Panelists: Lars Bromley (UNITAR), Klaus Buchheim (Klepsydra Technologies), Col GS Ludovic Monnerat (Swiss Armed Forces), Dr. Andrew Price (EPFL)
Both sessions are designed to bridge the gap between scientific inquiry and applied innovation. While the talks will highlight current challenges, the panels will focus on solution pathways and technological advances. The series will conclude with a networking apéro to encourage interdisciplinary exchange and foster new collaborations.
📅 Date & Time: 26.9.2025, 14:00–16:00
⏱️ Duration: 2 hours
🌐 Language: English
🗣️ Format: Mix of Presentation, Roundtable, AmA
📍 Location: Live on Zoom
This session is intended for specialists and decision-makers in companies.
🔗 Part of the on {ai}r series by Swiss {ai} Weeks in cooperation with Wildcard Media.
Curious for more? Check out other sessions at swiss-ai-weeks.ch/onair