AIRIS image capture and ship detection results
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has successfully conducted an in-orbit demonstration using AIRIS (Note 1), an AI-equipped object detector that utilizes a next-generation space-grade MPU (Note 2). AIRIS consists of an AI-equipped data processing device developed by Tokyo University of Science and an earth observation camera, and detects ships from sea images.
AIRIS uses SOISOC4, a next-generation space-grade MPU jointly developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to operate AI on a satellite and detect objects from satellite images. AIRIS was launched on the small demonstration satellite “RAISE-4” (Note 3) on December 14, 2025 as part of JAXA’s “Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Project,” and has been proceeding with technology demonstrations in orbit. Going forward, MHI plans to establish a continuous cycle of improving AI performance by retraining the AI on the ground using images of the ship acquired during operations and updating the AI on board AIRIS in orbit.
The in-orbit demonstration using AIRIS’s “Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Unit 4” will include an in-orbit demonstration of the SOISOC4 MPU in addition to an AI operational demonstration. Through the development of these devices, MHI will continue to strive for technological innovation in the development of cutting-edge space equipment and contribute to the advancement of space exploration and utilization in Japan.
Data processor (left) and
Earth observation camera equipped with AIRIS (right)
Cycle demonstrated by AIRIS
AIRIS theme mark
