Thermal infrared Earth observation company Hydrosat has unveiled its next-generation satellite constellation, named Osiris, which is designed to provide higher-resolution imagery over a wider area than its current VanZyl-1 and VanZyl-2 satellites. The first two upgraded satellites are expected to launch in 2027.
What Happened
Hydrosat CEO Pieter Fossel described the Osiris payload as "VanZyl-2 on steroids," noting that the team accomplished the difficult engineering feat of improving both swath width and resolution simultaneously. Each Osiris satellite will carry five integrated sensors: one long-wave infrared imager capable of capturing imagery at 25-meter resolution over a 160-340 kilometer swath, and four visible near-infrared sensors collectively capable of imaging at resolutions as low as 10 meters.
The company plans to operate Osiris in an "always-on" configuration, capturing stripmaps of the planet continuously. These images will be delivered to Hydrosat’s analytics product, the Discovery Platform, allowing customers to monitor day-to-day changes at selected sites.
Why It Matters
Hydrosat is not waiting for the new constellation to become operational to serve its growing customer base. Current VanZyl satellites, which offer 30-meter resolution in visible near-infrared and 70-meter resolution in long-wave infrared, have already secured contracts with major government entities. The thermal capabilities of these satellites allow for effective Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) campaigns, including night-time monitoring of troop movements and power usage, because thermal sensors do not distinguish between day and night.
Recent contract wins highlight the company’s expanding role in the defense and government sectors. In June, Hydrosat was awarded a NASA CSDA contract; in July, it secured a stage 2 NRO contract, expanding a partnership that began in 2023; and in August, it received an award under the SpaceWERX STRATFI program to further develop its thermal infrared capabilities. Additionally, the company has begun selling its payloads to other constellation operators, recently announcing a memorandum of understanding with the government of Kazakhstan to integrate Hydrosat’s payload and AI analytics into a Kazakh spacecraft.
The Bottom Line
Hydrosat’s Osiris constellation aims to set a new standard for thermal infrared Earth observation by combining high resolution with wide swath coverage. While the company currently derives approximately 40% of its revenue from pure commercial sources, CEO Pieter Fossel indicated that this ratio is expected to shift as the commercial business grows quarter over quarter. With first launches planned for 2027 and a strong foothold in government contracts, the company is positioned to expand its commercial footprint while enhancing its capabilities for defense and scientific applications.