Array Labs, a pioneering startup headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, is leading the charge in harnessing cutting-edge technological advancements to revolutionize our understanding of the world. The company is proud to announce its ambitious mission to construct an intricate 3D map of the Earth using innovative radar satellite clusters and state-of-the-art computation techniques.
Array Labs is capitalizing on remarkable progress in launch affordability, satellite manufacturing efficiency, and computational capabilities to propel the creation of an unprecedented high-resolution 3D digital replica of our planet. By orchestrating the deployment of coordinated radar satellites in low Earth orbit, capturing diverse viewpoints of the same locales, Array Labs aims to unveil a comprehensive and intricate representation of Earth’s topography.
Distinguished by its “multistatic radar” approach, this ingenious technique brings together a network of radar satellites functioning harmoniously across spatial expanses. The voluminous 3D data resulting from Array’s groundbreaking technology holds immense promise across diverse industries. Applications span from cutting-edge autonomous vehicle fleets and immersive augmented reality experiences to data-driven insights for insurance analytics and fortifying national security.
While not the initial endeavor to pioneer space-based radar for generating global 3D imagery, Array Labs stands out due to its capacity to overcome earlier constraints such as computing power limitations and data storage bandwidth requirements. Andrew Peterson, CEO of Array Labs, emphasized the pivotal advancements in computing potency, underscoring that technology now sized merely as a thumbnail outperforms predecessors by a staggering 100-fold margin in terms of both performance and cost-effectiveness.
Array Labs was founded in 2021, boasting instrumental backing from esteemed angel investor Brian McClendon, a luminary credited with his pivotal role in shaping Google Earth. The company’s trajectory has been further propelled through strategic affiliations with acclaimed accelerators, including Seraphim Space Camp and YCombinator, enabling the expansion of its operational scope. In a decisive stride towards scaling up, Array Labs successfully concluded a $5 million seed funding round in October 2021, headlined by Seraphim Space and Agya Ventures, with notable participation from additional investors.
The company’s blueprint encompasses the launch of multiple satellite clusters, each comprising dozens of individual satellites. An individual cluster alone is poised to capture a staggering 5% of the Earth’s surface—equivalent to 95% of the global population—within biweekly intervals. Embarking on this visionary mission, Array Labs is scheduled to dispatch its inaugural test satellite aboard a SpaceX ride-share mission in the imminent year, systematically fine-tuning and mitigating various technological aspects.
Array Labs is meticulous in its approach, currently undertaking comprehensive ground testing initiatives. The establishment of an indoor radio frequency (RF) test range is a testament to the company’s commitment to validating image formation algorithms and software. Ensuring transparency throughout its journey, Array Labs is dedicated to sharing its dynamic progress through informative blog posts and active collaboration with likeminded entities, fostering an environment of innovation in this groundbreaking domain.