In a significant stride for thermal imaging, a pioneering satellite from the United Kingdom, HotSat-1, has relayed its first images, unveiling a rich tapestry of heat variations over Earth’s surface. The satellite, equipped with the most advanced commercial thermal sensor in orbit, can discern hot and cold features as small as 3.5 meters in its detailed imagery.
Among the satellite’s inaugural captures, it spotted a train traversing through the Chicago night and meticulously catalogued the explosive fronts of wildfires in Canada. London-based operator SatVu has expressed plans to deploy a further seven spacecraft, enhancing not only the breadth of data collected but also the frequency of surveillance over specific locations.
Constructed by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) in Guildford, HotSat-1 was lofted into space on a SpaceX rocket from California in June. Its primary tool of capture is a mid-wave infrared camera, ideal for creating detailed heat maps. These visuals would find applications in several areas, most notably climate-related studies.
As Tobias Reinicke, the chief technology officer at SatVu, explains, upon completion of the in-orbit testing phase due next week, the satellite would be entirely under their control. And the resultant data would hold valuable insights for their customers.
One of the key applications of HotSat-1’s heat maps, be it static images or short videos, would be to help urban planners visualize rooftops and walls. It would enable them to comprehend the temperature profiles of individual structures, identify energy-wasting infrastructures, and ascertain the need for improved insulation.
The maps could also help urban planners detect “heat islands,” such as expansive, unshaded parking lots contributing to heat stress in cities. Such specific data could guide mitigation plans, like the addition of tree lines for cooling.
Moreover, the fluctuating temperatures captured by the satellite could yield valuable insights for the financial and insurance sectors, and even the military. Such data could reveal the volume and type of output from a factory based solely on its heat signature.
For instance, the thermal snapshots of Las Vegas display how heat retained from tarmac and concrete roads and parking zones during the day contributes to uncomfortable night temperatures. Similarly, the thermal contrast exhibited by the Albuquerque airport enables counting the number of planes around the terminal — a detail unobservable by a standard optical satellite.
The thermal images of Cushing, Oklahoma, can provide companies information about the volume of oil moving through storage depots, far more effectively than remote-sensing drones. And in the Northwest Territories of Canada, thermal imaging of active wildfire fronts could aid in predicting fire progression and potential impact paths.
Unlike traditional satellites that are hampered by smoke and darkness, HotSat-1 and similar satellites can effectively peer through an opaque atmosphere due to their use of longer wavelengths of light.
SatVu has already secured a £100m funding commitment from domestic and international users who wish to leverage this innovative thermal data. Approximately 60 entities are all set to examine this imagery to determine if it meets their requirements. The creation of HotSat-1 was financially backed by research and development funds from both the UK and European space agencies. HotSat-1’s advanced imagery was also showcased to the Prince of Wales on Thursday by SatVu executives in an exclusive unveiling.
