Earth observation

Leveraging Commercial Space for Earth and Ocean Remote Sensing
Commercial advances in satellite system development, launch capabilities, and measurement technologies have led to a paradigm shift in the space industry. U.S. government agencies have the opportunity to leverage these new technologies, such as cl…

Quad nations unveil satellite-based maritime monitoring initiative
Leaders of the United States, Japan, India and Australia have agreed to launch a satellite-based initiative to help countries in the Indo-Pacific region track illegal fishing and other suspicious maritime activities.

NaraSpace Technology closes $7.88 million Series A for nanosatellite project
South Korean startup NaraSpace Technology will use the $7.88 million to pursue the development of optical remote-sensing nanosatellites.

NRO plans for immediate and long-term acquisition of commercial satellite data
The National Reconnaissance Office has issued contracts to satisfy immediate needs for commercial satellite data, while drafting requirements to bring commercial capabilities into an integrated architecture that includes classified U.S. government systems.

Orbital Insight brings Satellogic data into its platform
Geospatial intelligence company Orbital Insight announced plans April 25 to bring high-resolution imagery from Satellogic, an Earth observation company based in Argentina, into its geospatial intelligence platform.

Kleos unveils dedicated, taskable RF monitoring missions
Kleos Space announced plans April 25 to offer customers dedicated, taskable radio frequency monitoring capabilities.

Planet Pelicans to offer high resolution and revisit rates
The Pelican constellation, scheduled to begin launching in early 2023 will offer at least 10 daily views of Earth’s land mass and as many as 32 views of midlatitude locations with a resolution of 30 centimeters per pixel.

Ursa Space raises $16 million in Series C round
Ursa Space, a geospatial and analytics company, raised $16 million in a Series C round led by Dorilton Ventures.

Acme plans 250-satellite weather data constellation
Acme AtronOmatic, vendor of the MyRadar weather app, won FCC approval to launch satellites to demonstrate technology for a constellation that ultimately could include 250 satellites or more.

“Nothing to share”: South Korean firm turns down Ukrainian request for satellite imagery
South Korea’s Earth observation company SI Imaging Services (SIIS) turned down a request to share satellite imagery of Ukraine and neighboring countries to assist Ukrainian efforts to repel Russia’s invasion.

EOS Data Analytics issues urgent plea for imagery of Ukraine
EOS Data Analytics is asking Earth observation companies around the world to share up-to-date optical and radar satellite imagery of Ukraine.

Orbital Sidekick notes growing demand for hyperspectral data
Capacity is the biggest constraint for Orbital Sidekick, the hyperspectral imaging startup that is acquiring data from Aurora, its first sensor launched in June.

SDA seeks commercial Earth-observation data
The Defense Department’s Space Development Agency is looking for ways to rapidly acquire Earth observation data.

Small satellite constellations promise resilient communications and Earth observation
Small satellite constellations provide valuable communications links in the wake of natural disasters, according to speakers at the SmallSat Symposium here.

Near Space Labs to offer 10-centimeter resolution imagery
Near Space Labs is upgrading instruments mounted on its Swifty high-altitude balloons to capture imagery with a resolution of 10 centimeters per pixel.

Iceye raises $136 million in Series D round
Iceye raised $136 million in a Series D investment round led by Seraphim Space.

NASA to continue buying Earth-observation datasets
NASA intends to continue buying data gathered by commercial Earth-observation satellites.

Sony putting camera in orbit for shutterbugs, not scientists
Sony plans to launch a six-unit cubesat with a full-frame camera later this year as part of its Star Sphere project that seeks collaboration with artists, entertainers and educators.

Four NASA Earth Science missions to launch in 2022
NASA’s Earth Science Division is preparing to launch four satellite missions in 2022 to provide observations of weather conditions, mineral dust, oceans and surface water.

HyspecIQ selects advisers, offering clues to early applications
HyspecIQ is beginning to fill out its advisory board, a move that offers clues to the hyperspectral imagery applications the startup plans to address.