Satellite Vu, the UK satellite firm set to become the world’s global thermometer from space, has commissioned a new clone of its original satellite in collaboration with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) to double its data collection capacity.
The deal sees SSTL begin construction on the second of Satellite Vu’s Mid Wave Infra-Red (MWIR) thermal imaging satellite’s which will collect thermal data day and night of the natural and built environment at any location on the planet, enabling the measurement of heat signatures and heat loss of any building in the world.
The satellites will form a constellation of satellites which will have the capacity to measure the energy efficiency of buildings, alongside fire spread prediction and water pollution, multiple times a day, providing real time data-driven climate insights.
The contract for the first Satellite Vu satellite was signed in 2021 with SSTL ready for shipment in the first quarter of 2023 for a launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
The second satellite, which is an exact clone of the first, is expected to be launched in early 2024 in response to market demand for greater capacity and more frequent revisit times.
The news comes after Satellite Vu recently completed their funding via the UKSA National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP), helping to implement de-risking technology and make significant operational improvements.
Anthony Baker, Founder and CEO of Satellite Vu said:
“Environmental issues are at the forefront of everyone’s minds, from governments to businesses to consumers, as we collectively recognise the urgency of creating a green and sustainable future for all.”
“To create this future, we urgently need verifiable data sets to measure our progress and provide comparable metrics, therefore our satellites are set to revolutionise climate change by tackling energy wastage and connecting governments and businesses with the necessary data to reduce their carbon emissions.”
“The procurement of another satellite is driven by market demand for more capacity to address urgent customer problems and investor confidence in the team to accelerate the execution of the company business plan.”
Phil Brownnett, Managing Director of SSTL, said:
“I am delighted to sign another contract with Satellite Vu for a second thermal imaging satellite and look forward to continuing to work closely with Satellite Vu to achieve their business goals.”
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the original New Space renegade and is at the forefront of space innovation delivering customisable complete mission solutions for Earth observation, science, communications, navigation, in-orbit debris removal and servicing and exploration beyond Earth infrastructure.
Since 1981, SSTL has built and launched 71 satellites for international customers, as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA, international governments and commercial customers.
SSTL uniquely combines innovative capability with heritage-earned engineering expertise and is well known for innovative missions such as the CARBONITE satellites, the NovaSAR S-band radar imaging satellite and the RemoveDEBRIS space debris removal technology demonstrator.
Headquartered in Guildford, UK, SSTL is part of Airbus.
