SIBILA

Summary

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GTD has been selected for Phase II of the SIBILA project—an R&D initiative to develop an onboard artificial intelligence prototype that dramatically reduces the volume of satellite data transmitted to the ground by performing edge computing in orbit. Funded under Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR) and co-financed by CDTI and DIGEID of the Spanish Ministry of Defense, SIBILA builds on GTD’s VPDU-BOX-AI expertise and fosters synergies across GTD’s business units. Backed by Airbus DS GEO and Airbus Crisa, the prototype is slated for delivery by the end of 2025, marking a major milestone in satellite autonomy and data-flow optimization.

What SIBILA Is

• Onboard AI Solution: SIBILA embeds machine-learning algorithms directly on satellites, enabling real-time data filtering and analysis in orbit to minimize downlink bandwidth and latency.
  
  
• Edge Computing Architecture: By processing raw sensor and telemetry data on the spacecraft, only high-value insights are transmitted to ground stations, boosting autonomy and reducing operational costs.
  
  
• Space-Ready AI: The software prototype will leverage robust inference engines optimized for radiation-hardened processors, applying adaptive models that can update during flight.
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Funding & Consortium

• PRTR Framework: SIBILA is financed through the Spanish government’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, coordinated by CDTI and supported by DIGEID, which channels NextGenerationEU funds into strategic digital and R&D projects.
  
  
• Industrial Partners: Airbus DS GEO and Airbus Crisa provide satellite bus integration and subsystem expertise, ensuring SIBILA’s algorithms seamlessly interface with existing satellite architectures.
  
  

GTD’s Role

• Algorithm Development: GTD leads the design of AI models for onboard anomaly detection, data prioritization, and intelligent compression, drawing on our VPDU-BOX-AI heritage.
  
  
• Prototype Implementation: Our R&D teams will deliver a flight-ready software stack by Q4 2025, integrating CI/CD pipelines to support in-orbit updates and rigorous validation under realistic space conditions.
  
  
• Cross-Sector Innovation: SIBILA fosters collaboration across GTD’s defense, telecommunications, and space segments, accelerating technology transfer and strengthening our competitive edge.
  
  

Benefits & Applications

• Reduced Downlink Load: Cutting data volumes by up to 80 % lowers ground-station costs and frees bandwidth for additional payloads.
  
  
• Enhanced Autonomy: Onboard decision-making enables satellites to react to critical events—such as space-weather anomalies—without waiting for ground commands.
  
  
• Operational Resilience: Edge computing mitigates the impact of intermittent communication links, ensuring continuous mission support even in contested or remote regions.
  
  
• Scalable Framework: SIBILA’s modular AI engine can be adapted for Earth-observation, communications, and defense satellites, opening new markets for GTD’s space systems expertise.