Satellite YAM-9: A New Era in Earth Monitoring
Built by Loft Orbital, the YAM-9 satellite has become the first spacecraft to autonomously identify locations on Earth using software from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The experiment leveraged Google DeepMind’s Gemma 3 model, enabling data analysis directly in orbit and significantly reducing the burden on ground-based systems.
YAM-9’s system detected areas where natural environments meet urban development, as well as infrastructure near railway hubs. This capability opens up fresh possibilities for continuous territory monitoring.
'This technology paves the way for persistent surveillance from orbit. You could task the satellite to watch a specific border segment and alert you to suspicious activity, maintaining a dialogue with the user.' Paul Lasser, Head of Artificial Intelligence at Loft Orbital
Technology and Future Plans
Launched in fall 2025, the YAM-9 satellite is equipped with an Nvidia Jetson Orin AGX graphics processor. The NAVI-Orbital software suite was led by Juan Delfa Victoria, technical lead of the AI group at NASA JPL. He noted that 'astronauts in pressurized suits struggle with keyboards, so researchers explored creating an interactive AI assistant similar to those often depicted in movies and video games.'
Currently, Loft Orbital operates 12 satellites in orbit and aims to build a constellation of 50 to 100 for continuous monitoring. As Lasser explained, 'according to estimates, 50 to 100 satellites are needed to observe any point on Earth in real time.' Additionally, one of Loft Orbital’s contracts involves developing, launching, and operating six satellites for EarthDaily.
Planet Labs also uses Jetson Orin processors for object recognition, while Kepler Communications operates the largest constellation of graphics processors in space, as of January 2026. These achievements highlight the rapid advancement of Earth observation technologies and their importance for scientific research and resource management.
The launch of YAM-9 and the deployment of new on-orbit data analysis capabilities offer novel opportunities for environmental monitoring and territorial management. Given the growing demand for tracking natural resources and infrastructure, such innovations could become vital tools for scientists and governments in addressing climate change and other global challenges. As Loft Orbital expands its satellite constellation, we can expect even greater accuracy and speed in data collection for analysis and decision-making.
As advancements in satellite technology continue, the issue of space debris becomes increasingly critical. With over 33,000 objects currently orbiting Earth, the potential for collisions rises, posing risks not only to operational satellites like YAM-9 but also to future missions. Understanding the implications of this growing space junk problem is essential for ensuring the safety and sustainability of space exploration. Learn more about the challenges of managing Earth's orbital environment in our detailed analysis regarding the clutter in space.