Spotlight EAP: Introducing HEO Robotics
SatVu is launching the world’s first constellation of high-resolution infrared imaging satellites. Delivering a first-to-market, space-based solution to enable governments and commercial organisations to tackle the environmental impact of modern life through the use of high-resolution infrared tasking data.
Ahead of the launch, 66 organisations have committed to harnessing the unique power of infrared imagery by signing up to our Early Access Programme.
As early adopters, these organisations enjoy preferred access to our high-resolution infrared satellite imagery and the opportunity to secure valuable capacity on the inaugural satellite.
Our Spotlight EAP Partners series will showcase these businesses and the innovative products and services they offer.
In this edition we learn about HEO Robotics, an Australian Space Technology company based in Sydney, Australia, with an office in London, United Kingdom. Founded in 2016 by Dr. Will Crowe and Dr. Hiranya Jayakody.
Introducing HEO Robotics
Founded under the belief that space should be transparent, HEO Robotics is the first company to offer commercial in-orbit satellite inspection services. Providing resolved imagery and intelligence on objects in orbit through their proprietary satellite imaging and analytics generation software, HEO Inspect.
As more organisations seek better access to space data to help them understand, assess, and act on their space assets, HEO Robotics is providing a hybrid space infrastructure to give access to non-Earth imagery and analytics. By providing 100% uptime, HEO Inspect has revolutionised the decision-making process by delivering unique intelligence on objects of interest to support policy making, national security, intelligence assessment, maintenance, operations, and supply chains.
A software-first company, HEO Robotics repurposes cameras from in-orbit satellites to help government, defence and commercial customers in Australia, the USA, and the UK understand the behaviour, capability, and intent of in-orbit objects. HEO Robotics prioritises partnerships to support space domain awareness, space traffic management, satellite operations, and national defence.
Joining SatVu’s EAP
Describing the Early Access Programme as a “great opportunity”, HEO Robotics plan to experiment integrating SatVu’s thermal imagery into their software platform, HEO Inspect.
If successful, the imagery will be used to expand coverage and provide insights on the activity state of key satellites to HEO Robotics’ customers. Identifying the thermal emissions of satellite components, such as solar panels, antennas, and batteries; helping to monitor the health of satellites and improve their maintenance and operation processes.
Climate Talk
While not directly related to climate initiatives, monitoring space objects from space contributes to the overall goal of maintaining a safe and sustainable orbital environment. This includes cataloguing and tracking the movement of satellites, rocket stages, and space debris.
Accurate monitoring helps prevent collisions and assists in characterising space debris and the associated environmental impacts in the event of re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. By providing real-time information HEO Robotics contributes to a safer space environment, which aligns with the broader goal of sustainable space activities.
The Future of Space
Currently in an experimentation phase, the first priority for HEO Robotics is to test our infrared tasking imagery with their HEO Inspect software platform. The success of this integration will inform next steps. Keeping space sustainable is vital as the industry continues to grow. HEO Robotics’ proprietary satellite imaging and analytics generation software, in collaboration with SatVu’s infrared imagery, could play a pivotal role in prolonging the health of satellites and improve their maintenance and operation.
“Our planet is our only home, and it's our responsibility to safeguard it for future generations. To achieve this, we need to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's climate system.”
Dane Brumm, Communications Officer, HEO Robotics.