Unlocking the Skies: Skyint's Cloud-Based Satellite Data Platform for a New Era of Accessibility

As the space industry continues to open up, a persistent gap remains for smaller satellite operators, research institutions, and non-space organisations who seek access to satellite data that is both usable and affordable. Many of the existing solutions on the market are either too expensive, too technically complex, or rely on infrastructure that is out of reach for most users, such as dedicated ground stations and specialised radio frequency setups. Recognising this challenge, Skyint set out to reimagine how satellite data can be accessed and used. The company aimed to develop a scalable and user-friendly platform that delivers satellite data as a service, eliminating the need for costly hardware and advanced technical knowledge. By doing so, Skyint set a new standard in making Earth observation data widely accessible and practical for a diverse range of users across different sectors.

During its incubation period at the ESA Business Incubation Centre in Hungary, Skyint embarked on the development of an innovative Space-Data-as-a-Service platform. This solution was built on a fully cloud-native architecture, leveraging both AWS Ground Station and Microsoft Azure Orbital to support the real-time downlink, decoding, and visualisation of satellite telemetry data. What set this approach apart was its ability to operate entirely without the need for any local infrastructure, making it uniquely accessible to users regardless of their technical capabilities or geographic limitations.

To ensure high performance and reliability, the Skyint team developed custom signal processing modules and implemented full support for the Packet Utilization Standard protocol. These proprietary features provided the backbone for a robust system capable of handling complex satellite data streams with accuracy and consistency. The architecture was also intentionally designed to be flexible and scalable, enabling seamless use across a wide variety of sectors including academic research, commercial operations, and space technology startups.

The outcome was a truly plug-and-play platform that removed traditional barriers to entry in satellite data access. Users no longer needed antennas, radio frequency setups, or in-depth expertise to interact with Earth observation data. Skyint's platform made working with satellite telemetry as simple as opening a web interface, redefining how satellite data can be accessed and used in the modern digital landscape.

Skyint's Space-Data-as-a-Service platform marked a significant step forward in improving access to satellite data. By removing the need for physical ground stations and complex technical infrastructure, the platform drastically simplified how satellite telemetry could be obtained and interpreted. One of the most measurable impacts was a reduction of more than sixty percent in the time required for data acquisition and visualisation when compared to conventional methods. This efficiency allowed users to work with satellite data more rapidly and with far fewer resources, making it especially valuable for those outside the traditional space sector.

The proof of concept showcased the platform's capabilities in real-world conditions, as over 50GB of data from the AQUA Earth Observation satellite was successfully downloaded and processed during a single 12-minute pass. Despite this high-performance throughput, the total cloud resource costs over the two-year project remained approximately 1,300 EUR, highlighting the platform's cost-efficiency and scalability.

Skyint's cloud-native architecture and user-friendly interface empowered researchers, analysts, and commercial users who previously lacked the infrastructure or expertise to engage with space-based data. By broadening participation in the space data ecosystem, the platform demonstrated that advanced satellite communication and analysis can be delivered in a streamlined, accessible format—without compromising on quality or reliability.

Beyond its immediate impact, the platform served as a successful proof-of-concept that validated the feasibility of cloud-first ground segment operations. It offered strong technical and strategic foundations for the company's future growth and commercial deployment plans. As a result, Skyint established itself as a pioneering force within the ESA BIC Hungary innovation ecosystem, providing a clear and accessible pathway for users to harness the value of Earth observation data in entirely new ways.