Planetek Italia announces the successful launch of AI-eXpress 1 Plus (AIX-1+), the third satellite in the AI-eXpress constellation. The mission marks the completion of the first generation of this advanced in-orbit artificial intelligence system designed to redefine how organisations access, use, and benefit from satellite data.
The AIX-1+ satellite lifted off on November 28, 2025, at 10:44 a.m. PT (7:44 p.m. GMT+1) aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 / Transporter 15 rocket from the Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and was successfully deployed almost an hour after launch into a 520km Sun-Synchronous Orbit.
A New Milestone in Edge Intelligence
Together with its predecessors AIX-1 and AIX-1p, the AIX-1+ satellite establishes a fully operational first-generation constellation capable of processing information directly in orbit. The satellite’s hybrid edge/cloud architecture integrates artificial intelligence, blockchain, and modular application deployment, delivering real-time, secure, and trusted insights.
The AIX-1+ satellite is not just a mission; it is a fully operational digital laboratory in space, enabling:
- Domain-adaptive AI inference.
- App Store-based experimentation.
- Secure, low-latency insights for decision-makers.
- A template for rapid scaling of commercial EO services.
From Data to Decisions in Seconds
Unlike traditional Earth Observation missions, which rely on ground-based processing, the AI-eXpress constellation performs AI-based analytics directly on board. This approach enables near-zero data latency, smart tasking, and autonomous decision-making. It also supports app-based experimentation through an orbital “Space App Store.”
For users, this means faster answers, reduced data-handling effort, and the ability to run tailored analytics directly in orbit - turning space data into immediate decisions. Stakeholders can already join this environment to test, validate, or deploy their own AI models - shortening the path from idea to in-orbit service.
Collaboration across Europe
Led by Planetek Italia, in collaboration with D-Orbit and AIKO, and co-funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) InCubed programme, an Earth Observation Programme managed by ESA Φ-lab, the AI-eXpress mission aims to transform satellites into real-time data hubs. An innovative, operational, and flexible solution, poised to create new opportunities in the global space landscape.
Giovanni Sylos Labini, CEO of Planetek Italia, commented: “With this third flight of the AIX-1+ satellite we are going to demonstrate the full capacity of our SpacEdge™ concept, aligning sensing, onboard thinking and actions. This is a true demonstration of the strength of our alliance with D-Orbit".
“The AIX-1+ satellite marks an important milestone in our collective journey to a thriving space economy,” said Viney Jean-Francois Dhiri head of Business Development for Space Cloud Services at D-Orbit. “Through our collaboration with Planetek Italia and AIKO, we’re demonstrating how digital infrastructure deployed in orbit unlocks real-time intelligence and autonomous operations. By leveraging the versatility and launch frequency In Orbit Now Services, integrated with our SpaceCloud architecture, we anticipate fast-forwarding into this new era of Edge Intelligence and expanding what’s possible in space".
"AI-eXpress is more than just a satellite; it's a complete, integrated ecosystem.” observes Giuseppe Borghi, Head of the ESA Φ-lab division. “From advanced imaging to onboard AI processing and seamless data delivery, ESA has supported the development of a truly end-to-end system that delivers insights faster and more efficiently than any traditional Earth Observation approach. This marks a fundamental change in how we access and utilise space-based information".
Applications and Early Users
The AI-eXpress mission enables onboard AI models for maritime domain awareness and anomaly detection, rapid disaster response, infrastructure and land-use monitoring, and adaptive tasking and prioritization of targets.
The AI-eXpress programme is already supported by partners and early adopters who are actively deploying, testing, or co-developing innovative capabilities onboard:
- Eni – developing advanced research for low-latency and AI-aided onboard processing pipelines for actionable information direct-to-users delivery.
- S&T, VAKE, NOSA – validating the REMIS intelligent monitoring technology through the AI-eXpress mission’s In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) service.
- Ubotica – experimenting with neural network optimization and edge-AI portability.
- IBM – deploying its foundation model TerraMind.tiny to enable software-defined satellite services that deliver real-time Earth insights at the edge.
- Microchip – as part of the broader AI-eXpress satellite series, the PolarFire® SoC and VectorBlox® acceleration IP are being validated and characterized for radiation-hardened, AI-capable onboard computing. These technologies were flown on earlier AI-eXpress missions in 2025 and are slated to be integrated into next-generation avionics platforms currently being designed by D-Orbit as part of its future in-orbit infrastructure.
Towards an AI-Powered Space Cloud
By turning satellites into intelligent nodes of a distributed orbital cloud, AI-eXpress opens a new paradigm in space infrastructure — where processing, analysis, and decision-making happen directly in orbit.
Planetek invites organizations to join the AI-eXpress ecosystem and explore opportunities for in-orbit experimentation, validation, and service co-development.
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