The SupersharpUnfolding Telescope
Our unfolding self-alignment technology enables us to fit big telescopes in small satellites. We are improving on the current state-of-the-art technology by making an unfolding optical system that is lightweight and self-aligning. We are developing new technologies for existing areas and take a disruptive approach. Our innovations include:
- An unfolding primary and deployable secondary mirrors
- Scalable design
- Self-aligning optics
To capture TIR images, satellite operators would need to use conventional telescopes with a fixed optical system. Compared to the convention, our unfolding telescopes offer 10x better resolution per unit cost and are designed for satellites as small as 16U CubeSats (6 m GSD) up to 150-200 kg Small Satellite platforms (2 m GSD).
Unique self-alignment technology
Our innovative and unique self-alignment technology is the complete solution to the longstanding problem of how to align deployed optical systems that require extremely accurate positioning. Whereas it was previously believed that extremely accurate, highly stable unfolding strategies were needed, our solution removes the reliance on such systems by utilising closed loop active optical control. This enables us to create large light-weight precision optical systems to fit large telescopes in small satellites.
Image credit: Satellogic
The SuperSharp Extreme Telephoto Telescope
Our high-resolution, wide field of view (WFOV) thermal infrared (TIR) imaging payload utilises extreme telephoto technology for Earth Observation. This allows us to use very long focal lengths to capture highly detailed images of distant subjects. Our technology offers high resolution combined with rapid global coverage, among other characteristics:
- A compact large aperture telescope assembly with diffraction limited optics
- A unique combination of high resolution and wide field of view
- A mosaic of microbolometers arrays resulting in 4x more pixels than current and planned offerings.
The proposed payload’s ability to capture panoramic images dramatically increases the satellite’s revisit rate, without sacrificing image resolution.
Image Following Systems Technology (IFS)
Precision in Earth observation relies on advanced imaging techniques designed to capture clear and accurate data. Our Image Following Systems Technology (IFS) ensures that imaging sensors actively track scenes in real time.
Satellites orbit Earth at incredibly high speeds—around 7 kilometres per second. Because of this, when a satellite takes a picture of the ground, the image can become blurry as it moves.
To fix this, we have developed IFS technology to gently shift the camera sensor while taking the picture, keeping the image steady and clear. After each shot, the sensor moves back to its starting position to get ready for the next picture.
Since the satellite takes photos in quick succession, each new image slightly overlaps with the previous one, ensuring complete coverage of the scene without any gaps and enabling strip mapping.
By enhancing image coverage by up to fifty times; this innovation ensures more comprehensive and precise observations, strengthening the effectiveness of satellite-based data collection.
Our partners
