Microsoft can produce drone-like photography from space with the power of Azure and AI
Microsoft’s Azure is being used to take clearer photos from space.
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What you need to know
Microsoft announcedseveral partnerships and capabilities for Azure Space today, including work with Airbus, SpaceEye, and iDirect. Much of Microsoft’s work centers around getting clearer images and information from satellites in space. Additionally, Azure Orbital is now in preview, letting users control satellites and communicate from ground stations around the globe.
Microsoft’s own ground stations, as well as partner stations around the world, make it easier and more affordable to communicate with satellites. The Azure Orbital preview supports both KSATlite and Microsoft ground stations. The program allows customers to use antennas from these stations to communicate with satellites. Next year, ViaSat and USEI ground stations will also work with Azure Orbital.
Because 67% of the earth is covered in clouds, getting clear images of the ground can be difficult. SpaceEye is an AI system that’s built on Azure. It creates images of the earth every day without any clouds. A combination of data from radar and optical images are combined with image predictions from AI to create a representation of what the world looks like without clouds. These images can be used for agriculture, disaster response, and monitoring land.
Azure also powers technology that helps enhance images taken from space. Microsoft’s Project Turing can create images that are comparable in resolution to shots taken from the air. One way this technology is used is to improve Bing Maps.
Microsoft partnered with Airbus to bring high-resolution satellite imagery and elevation data to Microsoft Azure Maps.
Esri, Blackshark.ai, and Orbital Insight also have new partnerships with Microsoft.
Previously, Microsoftworked with the International Space Stationto accelerate research. The company alsopartnered with the South Australian governmentregarding space tech.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
