PCI Geomatics, operating under the CATALYST brand, has announced the delivery of new in-orbit edge data processing capabilities designed to optimise satellite performance and dramatically reduce the time required to generate usable Earth observation imagery.
The new capability enables near real-time orthorectification and geolocation to be performed directly onboard satellites, allowing imagery to be transformed into analysis-ready, map-accurate products while still in orbit. By shifting processing from the ground segment to space, the approach reduces reliance on downlink bandwidth and ground infrastructure, accelerating time-to-insight for mission-critical applications.
Traditionally, Earth observation satellites downlink raw imagery that must be corrected and georeferenced on the ground before it can be used operationally. This process requires significant bandwidth, specialised infrastructure and post-processing teams, often introducing delays that limit the value of the data. As satellite constellations continue to grow, shared bandwidth constraints further compound these challenges.
CATALYST addresses these limitations by integrating advanced orthorectification and geolocation algorithms into an efficient onboard processing pipeline optimised for modern radiation-tolerant processors. The system enables imagery to be processed from raw sensor data to analysis-ready products in seconds rather than hours, while filtering and prioritising data so that only the most critical information is transmitted to Earth.
PCI Geomatics chief executive officer June McAlarey said speed to insight has become a defining challenge for modern Earth observation missions. She said the new edge processing capabilities draw on more than four decades of photogrammetric expertise and allow data providers to achieve both high-quality outputs and rapid delivery without compromise.
The solution supports full multispectral processing across eight bands and is designed to leave sufficient power and compute capacity available for onboard artificial intelligence analytics, including tip-and-cue operations and direct-to-customer data delivery. Its sensor-agnostic architecture allows configurable workflows to support a wide range of satellite platforms, from small satellite constellations to government missions.
PCI Geomatics chief product officer Kevin Jones said reducing processing time translates directly into operational and commercial value for satellite operators. He said the ability to discard unusable data before it consumes onboard storage or downlink bandwidth delivers significant cost savings while improving overall mission efficiency.
The edge processing capability is intended to support time-critical applications across defence, disaster response, maritime domain awareness and commercial Earth observation markets, where rapid access to accurate data can directly affect mission outcomes. Potential use cases include emergency response scenarios where minutes matter, intelligence and surveillance operations requiring fast turnaround, and commercial operators seeking to maximise satellite productivity.
CATALYST Edge Processing is available for integration during satellite design or build phases, with demonstration systems currently supported on x86 platforms and ARM architectures. The solution builds on CATALYST’s heritage in processing imagery from more than 70 aerial and satellite sensors, with over 30,000 licences deployed across more than 150 countries worldwide.
