# Bringing Federated Learning to Space

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.14889 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.14889/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 11 of its 32 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 18 Nov 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 11 of 11)

- [Communication-Efficient Learning of Deep Networks from Decentralized Data](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1602.05629/) (2016)
- [Federated Optimization in Heterogeneous Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1812.06127/) (2018)
- [LEAF: A Benchmark for Federated Settings](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1812.01097/) (2018)
- [Flower: A Friendly Federated Learning Research Framework](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2007.14390/) (2020)
- [Federated Learning with Buffered Asynchronous Aggregation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2106.06639/) (2021)
- [FATE-LLM: A Industrial Grade Federated Learning Framework for Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.10049/) (2023)
- [Ground-Assisted Federated Learning in LEO Satellite Constellations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.01348/) (2021)
- [FedHAP: Fast Federated Learning for LEO Constellations Using Collaborative HAPs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.07216/) (2022)
- [Federated Learning in Satellite Constellations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2206.00307/) (2022)
- [Fast model inference and training on-board of Satellites](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.08700/) (2023)
- [Onboard Processing of Hyperspectral Imagery: Deep Learning Advancements, Methodologies, Challenges, and Emerging Trends](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.06526/) (2024)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Communication-Efficient Learning for Satellite Constellations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.20220/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

As Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations rapidly expand to hundreds and thousands of spacecraft, the need for distributed on-board machine learning becomes critical to address downlink bandwidth limitations. Federated learning (FL) offers a promising framework to conduct collaborative model training across satellite networks. Realizing its benefits in space naturally requires addressing space-specific constraints, from intermittent connectivity to dynamics imposed by orbital motion. This work presents the first systematic feasibility analysis of adapting off-the-shelf FL algorithms for satellite constellation deployment. We introduce a comprehensive "space-ification" framework that adapts terrestrial algorithms (FedAvg, FedProx, FedBuff) to operate under orbital constraints, producing an orbital-ready suite of FL algorithms. We then evaluate these space-ified methods through extensive parameter sweeps across 768 constellation configurations that vary cluster sizes (1-10), satellites per cluster (1-10), and ground station networks (1-13). Our analysis demonstrates that space-adapted FL algorithms efficiently scale to constellations of up to 100 satellites, achieving performance close to the centralized ideal. Multi-month training cycles can be reduced to days, corresponding to a 9x speedup through orbital scheduling and local coordination within satellite clusters. These results provide actionable insights for future mission designers, enabling distributed on-board learning for more autonomous, resilient, and data-driven satellite operations.