• Funding to support the expansion of SatVu’s capability to provide round-the-clock ‘Activity Intelligence’ using space-based thermal imaging.
• SatVu to expand multi-satellite constellation, scaling its high-resolution thermal capability to deliver intelligence on mobilisation, operational activity and infrastructure that other commercial sensors cannot detect.

The NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) has participated in a £30m funding round to back space-based thermal intelligence company SatVu. The NIF joines British Business Bank, Space Frontiers Fund II (with SPARX Asset Management Co. Ltd. as the Fund Manager), and Presto Tech Horizons to help SatVu unlock activity insights previously unavailable from commercial sources, which are critical to the resilience of NATO nations.

SatVu has two satellites planned for orbit in 2026 and an additional three initiated under contract, mapping a path to deliver a multi-satellite constellation. While a single satellite can observe any point on Earth, a constellation increases revisit frequency – enabling persistent monitoring of activity and operational readiness, and allowing customers to track patterns of life and operational change throughout the day. HotSat-2 and HotSat-3 are planned for orbit in 2026, while HotSat-4 and HotSat-5 – together with long-lead elements of HotSat-6 – are now under contract, locking in the critical path to constellation delivery.

This funding will support near-term launches and accelerate the build-out required to deliver persistent, scalable thermal intelligence. With the constellation on its critical path, SatVu is transitioning from capability demonstration to commercial scaling – a key credibility signal for sovereign and defence customers.

The round also includes participation from existing investors Molten Ventures (as lead), Adara Ventures, Ridgeline Ventures, NOA, Lockheed Martin, Seraphim Space Fund and Stellar Ventures.

Why SatVu – Building the world’s highest resolution thermal infrared satellite constellation

By Trisha Saxena, Senior Investment Associate

Earth observation satellites today largely operate in the visible spectrum, which limits them to daytime monitoring, or use radar sensors, which show only the exterior structure of buildings. There is nothing available today which provides a way to see what’s happening day and night, and inside buildings, such as at industrial plants or data centres. SatVu have developed a high resolution infrared satellite constellation to image the Earth’s surface and measure the actual thermal emissions of objects. This means you can “see” inside structures and detect changes and activity that would be invisible to any other satellite modality no matter the resolution – such as whether ships are on or off, or if hidden nuclear plants have been commissioned.

SatVu is building the world’s highest resolution thermal infrared satellite constellation, providing imagery of the Earth’s surface from space at a 3.5m resolution, revealing data that has never been seen before. This is a completely unique offering in the earth observation market, and provides the defence, security, finance and commodities markets with unprecedented insights into thermal and economic activity on the ground, enabling them to make timely and impactful decisions.

Infrared satellite surveillance significantly bolsters NATO’s strategic capabilities, particularly in missile defence and intelligence gathering. This technology aids in maintaining situational awareness, facilitating search and rescue operations, and assisting in environmental and disaster monitoring. Crucially, it helps NATO keep a vigilant eye on the proliferation of weapons and nuclear capabilities, ensuring the alliance can preemptively address security challenges.