Finland taps new AI satellite to track toxic algae from space

Tech startup Kuva Space is working with the Finnish Environmental Institute (Skye) to analyse the health of the Nordic country’s waters with a specialised satellite. 

The pilot test will harness Kuva’s hyperspectral sensors, which can analyse a wider light spectrum than traditional sensors. From space, the company’s probe can read the spectral signatures of almost any material on Earth — including toxic cyanobacteria.

Also known as blue-green algae, these tiny organisms proliferate in Finland’s lakes and seas during summer. In high concentrations, they can be harmful and even fatal to humans and other animals. 

However, cyanobacteria are visually indistinguishable from other, harmless algal blooms. The most accurate way to monitor them currently is to take water samples, which is time-consuming and expensive.    

Kuva and Skye are exploring a potentially better alternative. The partners are training AI models on hyperspectral satellite imagery, as well as water samples and ...