Irish Innovation Soars: Ubotica Joins NASA’s FAME Mission

We often hear about Irish companies making strides on the global stage, but it is not every day we see an Irish startup heading into space with NASA. That is exactly what Dublin-based AI company Ubotica is doing, as it teams up with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the cutting-edge FAME mission. This collaboration marks a significant moment for Irish technology and its role in shaping the future of space exploration and Earth observation.

For those of us who follow the tech scene, particularly in Ireland, Ubotica has been a name to watch. Founded in 2016 by Fintan Buckley, John Bourke, and Aubrey Dunne, the company specialises in onboard AI systems for satellites. Their technology is designed to give satellites the ability to process data and make decisions in orbit, a capability that represents a huge leap forward from traditional methods. The FAME mission, or ‘flight demonstration of federated autonomous measurement,’ is set to showcase this capability on an unprecedented scale.

What is the FAME Mission?

The FAME mission is an ambitious project led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with Ubotica and UK satellite provider Open Cosmos also playing key roles. The goal is to create the largest autonomous satellite operations test ever attempted. Imagine a network of more than 50 spacecraft, all linked and working together to observe Earth. This network will use Ubotica’s onboard AI to monitor, identify, and understand events on our planet in real time. We are talking about everything from wildfires and volcanic activity to tracking rogue ships.

The traditional approach to Earth observation involves satellites collecting data and then sending it back to Earth for processing. This often means a delay before insights can be extracted and acted upon. Ubotica’s technology turns that model on its head. Their AI platform empowers satellites to “think, see, and act autonomously,” processing imagery right there in orbit. This means critical intelligence can be transmitted to Earth immediately, allowing for much faster responses to unfolding events.

A Coordinated Dance in Orbit

What makes FAME particularly exciting is its aim to demonstrate this autonomous capability across an entire constellation of satellites. This is not just about one satellite making smart decisions; it is about a whole network of them interpreting observations, making sense of them through AI, and then coordinating their actions. If one satellite spots something, others in the network can adjust their behaviour accordingly, working together as a truly intelligent system. This coordinated dance in orbit is a game-changer for how we monitor our planet.

The foundation for FAME was laid in a previous collaboration between NASA, Ubotica, and Open Cosmos. In July 2025, they successfully demonstrated what they called ‘dynamic targeting.’ This allowed a spacecraft to reorient itself rapidly to capture confirmation imagery of an event, all without needing instructions from ground personnel. It was a clear proof of concept for the power of onboard AI.

Fintan Buckley, Ubotica’s CEO, put it well, explaining that dynamic targeting showed what a single satellite with onboard AI could do. FAME, he says, will show what happens when that capability is coordinated across a whole network. He emphasises that Ubotica’s contribution is the “intelligence inside the Ubotica nodes,” detecting what matters, processing it in orbit, and then passing that information to whatever asset can act on it fastest. This is how you achieve a response speed that is actually useful.

The Rollout and Future Impact

The multiyear flight demonstration of FAME is set to kick off this summer with an initial set of six spacecraft. The first year will focus on refining flight capabilities and testing the AI and notification systems across this core constellation. As we move into years two and three, the plan is to scale up to a network of more than 50 spacecraft. This expanded network will be processing thousands of automated alerts and executing hundreds of autonomous on-orbit tasking commands, pulling in assets from various operators and agencies.

This collaboration is a testament to the growing strength of Ireland’s space-tech sector. Ubotica’s involvement highlights the country’s capability in advanced AI and its application in demanding environments like space. The company was also among the first chosen to participate in Ireland’s European Space Agency Phi-Lab, located at Irish Manufacturing Research in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, further cementing its position as a leader in this field.

The implications of the FAME mission are far-reaching. Imagine a world where emergency services receive immediate, precise information about a developing wildfire, allowing them to deploy resources more effectively. Or where maritime authorities can track illegal fishing or piracy with unprecedented speed. This is the future Ubotica and its partners are building, and it is exciting to see an Irish company at the forefront of such critical innovation. The journey of Ubotica with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is more than just a space mission; it is a clear signal of Irish ingenuity reaching for the stars and bringing real-world benefits back home. For more information on NASA’s pioneering work, you can visit the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory website.