Blue Moon mission drives NanoAvionics SuperSharp thermal imaging innovation
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 24, 2025
Primarily based within the UK and a member of the Satlantis group, SuperSharp has chosen the Kongsberg NanoAvionics MP42 microsatellite platform for its pioneering Blue Moon mission. This distinctive Thermal InfraRed challenge will carry the corporate’s flagship HIBISCUS instrument weighing 80kg and is scheduled to launch within the second half of 2026 aboard SpaceX Transporter rideshare.
Blue Moon is ready to redefine Earth remark by working its superior imaging system repeatedly, each throughout daylight and darkness. Its design goes past conventional satellites by incorporating a proprietary unfolding payload that delivers 4 occasions the decision per unit value in comparison with customary applied sciences.
The HIBISCUS instrument is engineered to seize Lengthy-Wave InfraRed imagery at a spatial decision of three metres. The ensuing high-quality knowledge will help a spread of functions from city warmth monitoring to broader local weather resilience efforts and nationwide safety, whereas additionally fostering progressive new makes use of.
Along with powering Blue Moon, NanoAvionics will present two additional MP42 microsatellite platforms to Satlantis for its upcoming era of sub-meter decision Earth remark satellites. This enlargement underscores the rising collaboration between {industry} leaders in superior house applied sciences.
SuperSharp, a College of Cambridge spinout based in 2017 and built-in into the Satlantis group since 2023, boasts a workforce of over 30 engineers. The corporate makes a speciality of designing and manufacturing high-resolution Thermal InfraRed imaging satellites and is embarking on its inaugural satellite tv for pc mission in partnership with NanoAvionics, a subsidiary of the Kongsberg group.
Marco Gomez-Jenkins, co-founder and CEO of SuperSharp, mentioned: “We’re delighted to accomplice with NanoAvionics on this mission to unlock the worth of ultra-high decision thermal imaging from house. The mix of our HIBISCUS telescope and their MP42 satellite tv for pc platform will allow new functions on this area, from local weather change mitigation to safety and defence.”
“This mission wouldn’t be attainable with out the continuing help of institutional actors, particularly the UK House Company.”
Atle Wollo, CEO of Kongsberg NanoAvionics, mentioned: “Satlantis has been considered one of our earliest industrial Earth remark clients, and we’re excited to construct on the legacy of the primary three nanosatellites we launched with them. These three new missions spotlight how NanoAvionics evolves alongside our clients and their rising wants. By serving to SuperSharp and Satlantis ship industry-leading 3-meter thermal imaging and submeter seen to near-infrared capabilities, we’re setting a brand new benchmark for our customary MP42 microsatellite platform, supporting bigger, extra superior payloads than ever earlier than.”
Juan Tomas Hernani, co-founder and CEO of Satlantis, mentioned: “The race to house is an increasing number of about partnerships. The breakthrough supplied by SuperSharp with its 3 m decision in TIR in a joint mission with NanoAvionics makes us very proud to steer the worldwide technique for this. It additionally offers us a chance to fuse TIR as an prolonged channel into our subsequent missions”
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