Ibadan, 22 September 2026. – German Earth-observation company Marble Imaging and German IT and consulting group msg systems have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop sovereign intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions, combining satellite-based Earth observation with AI, open-source intelligence and secure digital infrastructure.
Marble Imaging and msg combine EO and AI
The cooperation is intended to combine data from Marble Imaging’s future satellite constellation with AI, intelligence sources and secure digital infrastructure to support ISR applications for defense and security users. The companies also aim to develop the resulting capabilities within a European technology and infrastructure ecosystem.
Under the cooperation, Marble Imaging will contribute its Earth-observation capabilities and future satellite constellation, while msg will provide expertise in software development, artificial intelligence, data integration and secure IT infrastructure. The companies intend to combine these capabilities to connect satellite imagery and other intelligence sources with the software and systems used to process, analyze and deliver information to ISR users.
“The demand for timely and trustworthy situational information is continuously growing, in Germany, in Europe, and beyond. By combining our Earth Observation and analysis capabilities with the security expertise of msg, we create the basis for powerful ISR solutions that make our customers more independent and capable,” said Alexander Epp, Chief Business Development Officer of Marble Imaging GmbH.
Marble Imaging’s future Earth-observation constellation is intended to provide very-high-resolution optical imagery and frequent access to data for applications including security and defense. The company’s first satellite, MarbleSat-1, is currently in integration ahead of a planned Q1 2027 launch and will establish the initial space-based component of the company’s broader EO architecture.
Building a multi-source ISR capability for defense users
Within the ISR partnership, this planned constellation data layer will be combined with AI and other intelligence sources to provide more comprehensive and persistent information for defense and security users, including armed forces, government authorities and organizations responsible for national security.
By connecting satellite-derived information with other intelligence sources and existing operational systems, the companies aim to make space-based observations more directly usable within military decision-making and multi-domain operations.
“The ability to quickly convert large amounts of data from different sources into reliable insights is becoming increasingly important for security and defense organizations. Together with Marble Imaging, we want to build the bridge between Earth observation, AI, and sovereign situation-picture platforms and thus contribute to the technological sovereignty of Europe,” added Andreas Höher, Head of the Defense & Aerospace division of msg systems ag.
