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Toward Real-Time Earth System Intelligence Through Advancements in Onboard AI Processing: A review

delete2026-04-03
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PRE
AI
D
Domenico Barretta
L
Luca Marini
F
Francesca Razzano
G
Giorgia Guerrisi
S
Sanna Sandberg
R
Roberto Del Prete
V
Valentina Zancan
E
Eleonora Mariotti
G
Gianluca Furano
L
Livia Manovi
J
Jian Guo
S
Silvia Liberata Ullo
N
Nicolas Longépé
G
Gabriele Meoni
DOI:10.1109/mgrs.2026.3665978delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The Earth Observation (EO) sector is rapidly evolving into Earth Action (EA), with onboard Artificial Intelligence (AI) processing emerging as a key enabler. This technology offers strategic advantages through 1) enabling autonomous and low-latency EO missions with adaptive data processing capabilities that overcome the limitations of ground-based post-processing in handling the vast data volumes produced by growing satellite constellations and 2) supporting the evolution toward AI-driven and distributed EO mission architectures. This review explores the key technological advancements, mission architectures, and emerging paradigms that are shaping the next-generation EO systems. Pioneering EO missions are presented to showcase current capabilities, while the commercial, technical, and operational implications are analyzed alongside key challenges and ongoing research efforts (January 2020 to March 2025) aimed at enabling Real-Time (RT) Earth system intelligence.
Keywords:
Space missions
Low earth orbit satellites
Payloads
Earth Observing System
Space technology
Sentinel-2
Artificial satellites
Telemetry
Satellite images
Space exploration

Journal

IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine cover
IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine
IF:
16.4
Papers:
1.0W
Citations:
5.1K

Organization

E
esa
Scholars:
53
Papers: 39
Citations: 3
University of Sannio cover
University of Sannio
Scholars:
2.3K
Papers: 2.2K
Citations: 2.3K
D
delft university of technology
Scholars:
2.4K
Papers: 1.1K
Citations: 0
U
university of naples parthenope
Scholars:
146
Papers: 83
Citations: 0
U
university of bologna
Scholars:
4.9K
Papers: 2.1K
Citations: 0
E
European Space Research and Technology Centre
Scholars:
33
Papers: 19
Citations: 5.8K
T
Tor Vergata University of Rome
Scholars:
185
Papers: 81
Citations: 0
E
european space agency
Scholars:
396
Papers: 225
Citations: 0
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