OVHcloud, a European leader in cloud solutions, and Serco, a key player in the space industry with over 40 years of experience, have joined forces to develop the Destination Earth (DestinE) platform, an ambitious project by the European Space Agency (ESA) aimed at creating a digital twin of the Earth. This effort is designed to enhance the analysis of Earth observation data through advanced artificial intelligence models, with the goal of aiding in climate change adaptation.
A Key Initiative for the Planet’s Future
The Destination Earth initiative (DestinE) is backed by the European Commission and involves collaboration with three leading agencies: the ESA, which is responsible for the platform; EUMETSAT (European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites); and ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). Its aim is to provide accurate information on the effects of natural phenomena and human activity on Earth.
The DestinE Platform is Already Operational
With the platform now operational, the project aims to develop a digital twin of the Earth that will allow for the monitoring and simulation of long-term environmental changes. This will facilitate the implementation of adaptation strategies and the design of specific policies to address climate challenges.
Cutting-Edge Cloud Technology for DestinE
To manage the large volume of processed data, OVHcloud provides advanced solutions that ensure security, scalability, and efficiency for the platform. The implemented services include:
- Advanced processing with state-of-the-art CPUs and GPUs optimizing artificial intelligence algorithms.
- Microservices orchestration through Kubernetes and Rancher, enabling a flexible and modular architecture.
- Managed databases tailored for storing and processing structured, unstructured data, and time series.
Additionally, the initiative aligns with OVHcloud’s commitment to European digital sovereignty and sustainability, integrating energy efficiency measures such as water cooling (PUEPower Usage Effectiveness (PUE) is the ratio of total building energy usage to the energy used solely for IT equipment. 1.26 and WUE 0.37).
Serco’s Key Role in Developing DestinE
Serco leads the industrial consortium responsible for the development and implementation of the platform, leveraging its expertise in space services. Its role includes:
- Design and maintenance of the platform.
- Support for the user community.
- Integration of external services to enhance functionality and performance.
A Strategic Alliance for Europe’s Digital Future
Caroline Comet Fraigneau, Chief Sales Officer of OVHcloud, emphasized, “We are proud to collaborate with Serco on this historic project. Our partnership reflects our commitment to innovation, technological autonomy, and sustainability.”
For his part, Guido Vingione, Director of Space Business Development at Serco Europe, stressed, “This collaboration is key to addressing the challenges of climate change. The combination of technology and expertise will ensure a resilient and high-performance infrastructure for the DestinE platform.”
This agreement strengthens Europe’s position in developing advanced digital solutions and its commitment to environmental protection.