SatVu restarts commercial operations with HotSat-2
British thermal imaging startup SatVu announced the start of commercial services June 29 for HotSat-2, marking a return to revenue-generating operations after its debut satellite failed in low Earth orbit in 2023. The post SatVu restarts commercial operations with HotSat-2 appear
Home / SatVu restarts commercial operations with HotSat-2
HotSat-2 thermal imagery of the Sasol Secunda complex in South Africa, showing the operational status of one of the world's largest synthetic fuel and chemicals facilities. Credit: SatVu
TAMPA, Fla. — British thermal imaging startup SatVu announced the start of commercial services June 29 for HotSat-2, marking a return to revenue-generating operations after its debut satellite failed in low Earth orbit in 2023.
HotSat-2 is now routinely delivering mid-wave infrared imagery to government and commercial customers following its launch in March, the company said, including for Norwegian defense and aerospace giant Kongsberg’s geospatial intelligence services.
“Many of our original HotSat-1 customers have recommitted to HotSat-2, with further announcements to come,” SatVu CEO and cofounder Anthony Baker told SpaceNews.
“We’ve used the time between the two missions to refine our products and customer service, including improved calibration that lets customers measure thermal change across a timeseries of imagery.”
SatVu released first imagery from HotSat-2 in May, using 3.5-meter-resolution thermal data to show reduced operational capacity at the world’s largest refinery in India during disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, along with domestic crude oil refining in Cuba and production at an Australian liquefied natural gas facility.
“Our first-light images demonstrated how high-resolution infrared delivers new and improved insight into thermal activity,” Baker said.
“In the weeks since, we’ve been rehearsing service delivery to meet customer expectations from day one, and improving image quality through careful calibration of the detector.”
He declined to comment on what led HotSat-1 to cease operations just six months into its five-year design life, impacting services for customers that included Japan Space Imaging Corporation, a geospatial information provider.
SatVu earlier said the 160-kilogram HotSat-1 demonstrator, built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL), likely suffered a power circuit issue.
“We’re satisfied that extensive efforts were made to investigate the root cause and take corrective action, alongside exhaustive testing of the whole satellite,” Baker said.
SSTL also built HotSat-2 and is constructing another spacecraft, HotSat-3, which he said is being prepared to ship for launch later this year to increase capacity and improve revisit rates.
Construction work has also already started on follow-on spacecraft, Baker added, toward a constellation of 10 or more satellites to meet anticipated demand.
_Related_
Jason Rainbow
Jason Rainbow writes about satellite telecom, finance and commercial markets for SpaceNews. He has spent more than a decade covering the global space industry as a business journalist. Previously, he was Group Editor-in-Chief for Finance Information Group,... More by Jason Rainbow
SALE EXTENDED: Use UNICORNS30 for 30% off any new SpaceNews subscription. Ends June 30 ~~June 26~~. Terms apply.
Sign in or register
Close
Continue with Google
Or
Enter the code sent to your email
Email address
Enter your password
Sign in by entering the code we sent to , or clicking the magic link in the email.
ContinueResend codeEmail me a one-time code instead Forgot password Go back
Continue Set a password (optional)
We'll send a verification code to %EMAIL%.
Send code
Skip for now
30% OFF ANY NEW SPACENEWS SUBSCRIPTION: Use code UNICORNS30 and save on unlimited access to our news and analysis, including our June cover story tracking the surge in space companies valued at $1 billion or more. _Sale ends June 30._
To continue reading this article:
Register now to get
2 more free articles this month.
You’ll also receive our weekly Editor’s Choice, SpaceNews This Week and Opinions newsletters. Opt-out at any time.
Sign up
Sign in to an existing account
Get unlimited access to SpaceNews.com, the SpaceNews app and our digital monthly magazine for less than $5 per week.
$250/year
Subscribe now
_Cancel anytime. Sales tax may apply. No refunds._ _Terms and conditions apply._
Link
Copy link
Digital All-Access Subscription (Monthly) $25.00 / monthDigital All-Access Subscription (Quarterly) $70.00 every 3 monthsDigital All-Access Subscription (Yearly) $250 / yearDigital All-Access Subscription (2 Years) $450 every 2 yearsPurchase
Sign in to an existing account Cancel