HOTSAT-1's pathfinder success transforms setback into opportunity for SatVu
SatVu, the trailblazing climate tech company is announcing an anomaly which is expected to impact ongoing operations in the mission of its pathfinder satellite, HOTSAT-1.
Designed to be the world’s first high resolution infrared thermal imaging satellite, HOTSAT-1 launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in June 2023.
Following a successful commissioning period, over the last six months HOTSAT-1 has exceeded expectations - proving its novel, world-changing capabilities. The satellite has already completed thousands of orbits, capturing thermal images and video from every continent, as well as over our poles and oceans.
SatVu shared its First Light images in October 2023, and is already working with public, private, academic, and not-for-profit organisations globally to help solve some of the planet’s biggest climate challenges.
The team are working closely with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), the UK-based company that built HOTSAT-1, on the assessment of the anomaly on the insured satellite and will release updates in due course.
Anthony Baker, CEO and Co-Founder of SatVu:
"Our learnings from this mission are unparalleled. We are armed with enough data to develop incredible products that will be integral to shaping our future commercial offering. Our primary mission remains unchanged – we will persist and move ahead. We have ample financial runway to propel us to the next satellite and beyond.
“We understand that in the realm of pioneering space exploration, things can go wrong. Addressing some of the planet’s most pressing climate challenges was never going to be an easy journey and HOTSAT-1 as a pathfinder satellite, has done everything it needed to do and more.
“It’s crucial to acknowledge the exceptional milestones we've achieved this year – from a successful launch, showcasing First Light imagery, validating our commercial business model, collaborating with humanitarian organisations, and showcasing our groundbreaking thermal imagery alongside the recent COP28 conference.”
HOTSAT-1 is designed to be the first satellite in a planned constellation, providing invaluable insights into economic activity and our climate. SatVu’s world-first high resolution thermal images represent a completely new category of earth observation data.
The global images captured since June, have demonstrated the potential for this technology to act as a new ‘data layer’ to visualise the Earth’s surface, augmenting our understanding of environmental and heat related phenomena.
Data-led decision making is fundamental to the mission to repair and regenerate our planet, as is the ability to monitor progress and hold countries and organisations to account on climate goals. Images to date provide unique insights, including proof of its ability to monitor industrial activity and climate events - as seen in the high resolution capture of the Canadian wildfires in July 2023.
SatVu is unwavering in its commitment to capturing the highest resolution thermal data from space for a safer and more sustainable Earth. The company is already in advanced discussions around the launch of its second satellite - HOTSAT-2 - and continuing to build out its planned constellation.