ESA title

Data Segment
  • Data Analytics, Insights & Applications
  • Data Processing & Visualisation
Ground Segment
  • Ground Networks & Data Distributions
  • Ground Stations & Mission Management
Space Segment
  • Payload
  • Platform
TESLA VISION is an Earth Observation mission delivering Radio Frequency reconnaissance Data As A Service (DAAS) via web-portal.
Objectives of the Product

The global trade scenario is rapidly changing due to new geopolitical arrangements and global emergencies. Around 90% of the worldwide traded goods are shipped by sea, hence its critical infrastructures are more than ever a valuable and strategic asset for every country. In this context, the clear need of a high-responsiveness and more efficient maritime traffic monitoring lead to the exploitation of newly available solutions exploiting cost-efficient satellite infrastructures. Indeed, the main objective of TESLA VISION is the geolocation of Radio Frequency sources in order to provide valuable services, such as:

  • Asset Tracking;
  • Border and Custom control;
  • Environmental monitoring;
  • RF Spectrum monitoring;
  • Data for Geo Marketing and Analytics.

Customers and their Needs

TESLA VISION addresses the need of reliable “anytime, anywhere” data and information, on both cooperating and non-cooperating vessels, of two different customers segments:

  • Maritime Traffic Surveillance: public authorities (Customs, Regulation Authorities, Environmental Agencies, Law Enforcement, …), maritime shipping companies and NGOs (National and Internationals rescue organization, …);
  • Value Added Service Providers (VASP): Geo-information, Geo-Marketing and Analytics companies.

Target customers/users countries

National and European public authorities, international commercial companies and NGOs.


Product description

TESLA VISION provides timely and reliable data and information on maritime traffic via a user-friendly web-based platform. Thanks to its cutting-edge technology, the system is able to geo-locate maritime Radio Frequency sources from satellite anytime of the day and anywhere on the Globe while enabling the monitoring of non-cooperating ships, the so-called dark vessels.

The user data access system consists of three components:

  • A Web-GIS commercial portal that provides all graphical user interfaces, procedures and web services so that users can access the system functions using AI driven processor to reduce data storage and post processing elaboration time. The web tools allow users to request a dataset (which can be both Basic RF Sources and processed data) that meets their needs for coverage of a specific area in a certain time interval.
  • A QGIS plug-in to use most of the graphical user interface for requesting data and their processing in the QGIS desktop GIS software.
  • OGC Standard Services in order to access basic RF sources data and processed information via OGC standards such as Web Map Service WMS (WMS).

Show the product/system architecture (on a high level), highlighting the main system building blocks (on a high level).


Added Value

The detection of Radio Frequency sources from space is not yet widespread in civil applications but it is increasingly required as a solution for customs control and monitoring of protected or prohibited areas. It is a formidable tool when integrated with other data sources and systems such as AIS or satellite images acquired with SAR technologies. RF data are a powerful source of information complementing other data sources.

Thanks to the use of AI and a miniaturize payload, TESLA VISION is able to timely and accurately identify and localize the RF source anytime and anywhere using just a single satellite. This allows the lowering of production, launch and operations costs as compared to competitors. Furthermore, the use of an SDR architecture ensure flexibility by enabling the updating of the on-board processing software during the mission in order to address new requirements and increase performances.


Current Status

TESLA VISION is currently performing the de-risking phase. Details of the system are defined using a user-driven approach, thus by continuously discussing with prospects, in order to better and consistently prepare for the product development phase.

Prime Contractor Company
Intecs Solutions
Italy Flag Italy
SUBCONTRACTOR
ARCA Dynamics
Italy Flag Italy
SUBCONTRACTOR
N.P.C. New Production Concept s.r.l. (NPC Spacemind)
Italy Flag Italy
SUBCONTRACTOR
CNR-IIA
Italy Flag Italy
Contractor Project Manager
Name
Filippo Giuliani
Address
Via Giacomo Peroni, 130 00131 Rome, Italy
ESA Technical Officer
Name
Nori Ait-Mohammed

Current activities