Simera Sense Supplies Loft Orbital, Launches
Simera Sense has contracted to supply 10 HyperScape100 hyperspectral imagers to Loft Orbital and has launched a new dual-use version of its xScape200
Loft Orbital has ordered 10 HyperScape100 hyperspectral imagers from Simera Sense. The procurement supports Loft's multi-sensor, AI-based space infrastructure services.
Simera Sense is a European provider of optical payloads for small-satellite missions. The new contract expands its role in that market.
Flexible Hyperspectral Imaging
The HyperScape100 is a compact hyperspectral imager. It delivers 32-band imagery at a 4.75-meter ground sampling distance from low Earth orbit.
Its architecture is configurable for mission flexibility. Operators can select 32 spectral bands from a library of 400 available positions. These selections can be updated in orbit, allowing the payload to adapt to changing objectives.
Simera Sense designs its payloads for Earth observation applications like environmental monitoring and maritime awareness. The company emphasizes high performance and a compact form factor with proven heritage on small-satellite missions.
"Loft operates in exactly the kind of environment for which our imagers were designed," said Thys Cronje, Chief Commercial Officer at Simera Sense. He stated that supplying 10 imagers over the past year speaks to the strength of the relationship and the importance of mission-ready payloads.
New Dual-Use Payload Launch
Separately, Simera Sense has launched the xScape200 Dual-Use, an update to its xScape200 product line. The new variant is designed to support commercial, government, and defense missions.
The model retains the 1.5-meter resolution from a 500 km orbital altitude. However, it features a compact 12U form factor and weighs 3 kg less than its predecessor. This reduced mass and lower power consumption enable high-resolution imaging on smaller satellite platforms.
A key change is the removal of a military-use restriction. The original xScape200 could not be used for military applications due to end-use restrictions on its detector. The Dual-Use model employs a different U.S.-made detector that eliminates this limitation.
"It brings high-resolution imaging without the mass, cost and complexity typically associated with larger payloads," explained Simera Sense CEO Johann du Toit. He said operators can now use the same compact platform across diverse applications without compromising on its 1.5 m resolution.
Portfolio and Market Trends
The contract with Loft Orbital reflects growing demand for compact, reliable, and flight-proven optical payloads. Ease of integration has become more crucial as satellite operators serve an expanding range of customers.
For Simera Sense, the agreement strengthens its relationship with Loft Orbital. It also demonstrates increasing industry adoption of compact hyperspectral payloads as operators seek diverse sensing capabilities.
Alongside the xScape200 Dual-Use, Simera Sense unveiled the xScape-XGS45000 Imager Electronics. The two products together highlight the growing convergence of institutional and commercial Earth observation requirements.
| Product | Key Specification | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| HyperScape100 | 32-band imagery at 4.75m GSD | Configurable bands, selectable from 400 spectral positions |
| xScape200 Dual-Use | 1.5m resolution from 500 km | 12U form factor, 3 kg lighter than predecessor, no military-use restriction |
The company's payloads are designed to support a range of applications requiring timely, high-quality imagery from orbit.
