Array Labs Plans to Map Earth on 3D

The exponential growth of scientific computing is enhancing Earth mapping capabilities, potentially benefiting industries from automotive to virtual reality. Embracing advances in computational capabilities, graphic processors (GPUs) and radar software, Array Labs is crafting a 3D cartography of the Earth. 

To map the Earth effectively, the company plans to deploy constellations of radar satellites into low Earth orbit, choreographed to simultaneously capture imagery of specific locations from varying perspectives, explains Andrew Peterson, CEO, Array Labs. This approach, also known as "multistatic radar," synthesizes the collaborative information enabled by multiple radar satellites across spatial distances into one cohesive 3D map.

“If one could take all of this superpower that we are seeing in radar and scientific computing, and could it couple with really low-cost satellites… there could be a really, really interesting way to do a new type of Earth observation,” says Peterson.

While Array Labs' objective is focused at building an all-encompassing and high-resolution 3D digital archive of the planet, mapping applications could extend far beyond the realms of space industry. These enhanced technologies could benefit autonomous vehicle fleets, augmented reality headsets, insurance analytics and national security strategies. 

The quest for space-based radar-generated global 3D imagery is not unprecedented. Back in 2003, the Air Force Research Lab embarked on a similar mission with TechSat 21, which faced roadblocks stemming from computational limitations. 

“The system that they had come up with was ten spinning hard drives that are all rated together,” says Peterson. “It weighed maybe 20lb and took 150W. Now, something the size of my thumbnail has 100 times better performance and costs 100 times less,” says Peterson.

Array aims to launch clusters of satellites, each comprising about 24 units. Eventually, the company plans to deploy and manage 10-20 such clusters. "A single cluster will be capable of capturing 5% of the world’s surface, which accounts for 95% of the world’s population, every two weeks," says Peterson.

To facilitate expansion, the startup worked with accelerators Seraphim Space Camp and Y Combinator to amass US$5 million in a seed funding round in October 2022. The startup's inaugural test satellite is expected to launch aboard a SpaceX ride-share mission.