Surrey satellite to be launched by SpaceX

By Stephen Emerson

23 February 2022

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The Business Magazine article image for: Surrey satellite to be launched by SpaceX

ISS orbiting over the end of the Amazon River. Top down view. Planet map and ISS model from NASA: https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/74000/74192/world.200411.3x21600x21600.D2.png https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/2378/international-space-station-3d-model/ Tools and software used: Blender 2.8

Satellites constructed by a Surrey firm are to be sent into orbit by Elon Musk’s SpaceX firm.

The launch of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited's (SSTL), thermal data collection satellite, is the first in a planned constellation of seven UK built, low Earth orbiters. It will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket later this year.

SpaceX is the private sector space exploration firm founded by Elon Musk.

The Surrey based firm, which employs 380 people, built the satellites for fellow UK space firm, Satellite Vu.

One hundred people were involved in the construction of the space technology which designers describe as the: "world’s highest resolution thermal imaging satellite."

SSTL was founded in 1980. There are currently 14 SSTL built satellites operated from their spacecraft operations centre. One of which has been in orbit for 35 years.

The satelliteVu project will see the newly constructed models collect thermal data in a bid to help lower emissions and tackle global warming. The satellites will be capable of doing so over any location on the planet.

The full constellation, when operational, will have the ability to measure the heat signature of any building multiple times a day. This allows Satellite Vu to provide near real time insights on building heat loss, energy optimisation investments and an ability to offer substantial cost saving benefits to both public and private sectors.

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SatelliteVu designed the craft with a 3.5m resolution mid-wave infrared imager with video capability and a temperature sensitivity of less than 2 degrees Celsius.

The satellite video generation capability adds unique advantages over traditional imagery, allowing for the detection of highly dynamic features and the building of 3D profiles.

This permits for a wide variety of applications, from monitoring the pollution of waterways from industrial processes, to reducing the cost of heating buildings, increasing energy efficiency, or assessing the activity status of solar farms among others.

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By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.