Open Cosmos, a company based at UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, has completed the MANTIS satellite mission, a programme that provided high-resolution images and insights based on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Founded in 2015 in the United Kingdom, Open Cosmos simplifies access to space orbit by offering a complete and integrated service for satellite missions, from design and manufacturing to launch and operations. One of the pillars of this mission is OpenConstellation, a shared satellite infrastructure that redefines how organisations in various sectors access information.

Over two years, MANTIS has completed more than 10,000 orbits, capturing high-resolution images of a total area of more than 500,000 square kilometres every day. Its advanced optics and embedded artificial intelligence have enabled it to transform raw images into actionable information in near real time – faster and more efficiently than traditional missions – enabling the energy, mining and environmental sectors to make faster and more informed decisions.

The satellite, launched on 11 November 2023 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-9, was ESA’s first InCubed satellite, supported by the UK Space Agency. Designed with a focus on sustainability, MANTIS was safely deorbited, leaving no debris behind and setting a new standard for responsible space operations.

Open Cosmos: Historic mission with significant impact

The MANTIS mission has boosted the use of AI in orbit and validated new technologies, processes and operational models, which are now integrated into OpenConstellation, the global Earth Observation constellation managed by Open Cosmos and used by governments, companies and organisations to address global challenges such as climate change, resource management and environmental protection through space data.

“MANTIS was a landmark mission for Open Cosmos. It demonstrated our ability to offer end-to-end Earth observation with state-of-the-art optical and AI technology and provided crucial data for sectors facing challenges related to climate, energy and land management”, said Rafel Jordà Siquier, founder and CEO of Open Cosmos.

23 October 2025