Satellite Vu Signs Second Thermal Data Satellite Launch Agreement with SpaceX

British Earth Observation company Satellite Vu has signed a second SpaceX launch contract for their second thermal data satellite, doubling their thermal data collection capacity, faster than planned, amid rising climate concerns.

“Environmental issues are top of the agenda with the summer heatwave and the proliferation of wildfires over the past few months, reminding everyone of the urgent need to take action to provide a hospitable climate for all within our lifetimes."

Anthony Baker, Founder and CEO of Satellite Vu.

The deal will see Satellite Vu’s unique Mid-wave Infrared (MWIR) imaging satellite launched into Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) aboard a Falcon 9 rocket in early 2024. The thermal data satellite, which will be a clone of the first, will collect near real-time thermal data of the natural and built environment both day and night. Satellite Vu intends to use this data to analyze heat signatures and the wasted energy of buildings, industrial plants, and factories, assisting the transition to a Net Zero future, and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees through effective decarbonisation of the economy.

Furthermore, they will support compliance to Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and sustainability credentials (e.g., ESG), combating greenwashing claims, by providing measurable data for accurate reporting. The technology will also be able to monitor the Urban Heat Island effect, which has a disproportionate effect on lower income areas, as well as water pollution which continues to occur despite the known consequences to human and environmental health.

First Thermal Data Satellite Launch Contract was Signed in February

The deal follows on from their first deal signed with SpaceX in February, which will launch the first of Satellite Vu’s planned constellation of satellites in May 2023, meeting the urgent demand from businesses for data that can assist the energy transition.

“Environmental issues are top of the agenda with the summer heatwave and the proliferation of wildfires over the past few months, reminding everyone of the urgent need to take action to provide a hospitable climate for all within our lifetimes," said Anthony Baker, Founder and CEO of Satellite Vu. "We are excited to have agreed our second deal with SpaceX to launch our thermal monitoring satellites which will guide the improvement and enforcement of environmental standards during this critical time.”

“Reusing the design of our first satellite allows us to reduce the engineering work - and therefore the emissions from the factory - required before launch. Using less CO2, we'll add to our constellation faster than previously planned, and deliver more data to customers monitoring heatwaves, wildfires, and industrial emissions," said Isobel Gray, Sustainability Officer at Satellite Vu. "Recent extreme events - such as 40-degree temperatures in the UK, and March's deadly heatwave in India and Pakistan - have been made much more likely by climate change, so the faster we can deliver data to help reduce emissions and inform adaptation measures, the better.”

(Images provided with Satellite Vu news release)