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Earth observation satellites operated by a US company will soon “point their cameras to space” while travelling over the sea to provide data to a Sydney-based firm.
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HEO’s innovative “seven-figure” deal will effectively see it take advantage of unused capacity – or dead time – from BlackSky Technology, meaning satellites can be useful at both collecting data from Earth and out to space during a single orbit.
Specifically, HEO will use BlackSky’s sensors when they’re passing over the ocean or travelling across the “dark side of Earth”.
“HEO is driving innovation in space by delivering non-Earth imaging (NEI) solutions at scale, giving our customers in-orbit insights when timing is crucial,” said Dr Will Crowe, co-founder of HEO.
“Adding BlackSky’s high-resolution constellation to HEO’s sensor network through this partnership will unlock even more applications of NEI data across industries.”
HEO uses cameras already in space to take photos of satellites, spacecraft and space junk, allowing its clients to avoid collisions or gather intelligence.
It also uses its pioneering software to predict the location of satellites to allow the cameras to point in the right direction.
Under the new agreement, the two companies will partner to integrate BlackSky’s current constellation into HEO’s sensor network.
“BlackSky will provide proprietary mid-inclination orbit, high-resolution imagery to HEO,” the US firm said in a statement.
“BlackSky’s high-cadence imaging capabilities are expected to increase the feasibility of capturing NEI data over the middle latitudes of Earth.
“Activating NEI capabilities gives BlackSky the ability to leverage unused capacity typically associated with satellites passing over the ocean or satellites in eclipse, travelling across the dark side of Earth.”
The extra data will then be provided to HEO’s defence and commercial clients and added to its 46 in-orbit sensors in its network.
BlackSky CEO Brian O’Toole said the deal unlocks “additional value” from its constellation.
“Space situational awareness is critically important for our customers as the space domain continues to become a highly contested operational environment,” he said.
“Automatically tasking and receiving NEI products reflects yet another pioneering innovation that gives customers reliable and actionable space-based intelligence about spacecraft or on-orbit objects of interest at mission speed.”
This news comes after Defence Connect’s sister brand, Space Connect, reported that HEO, previously known as HEO Robotics, raised $12 million in a new funding round last year.
The Sydney-based business said an increase in foreign satellites flying close to commercial satellites was behind the decision to seek more investment sooner than anticipated.
