Thales Alenia Space enlists HyperScout® M to unlock on-orbit applications from the ISS to benefit Earth

HyperScout® M, the most compact version of Cosine’s HyperScout product line, has been adopted by Thales Alenia Space, as high-performance Earth Observation sensor of choice to unlock new on-orbit climate data applications to gather unmatched Earth observation insights.

HyperScout M will be launched into space and will collect Earth Observation data on board the International Space Station. Thales Alenia Space, in collaboration with Microsoft, agreed to work together on remote sensing and on-orbit computing to unlock new on-orbit data processing applications to benefit the sustainability of our planet. Thales Alenia Space has selected the HyperScout M hyperspectral imager as Earth Observation instrument for these activities, to gather new data as well as to exploit the image processing capabilities embedded into HyperScout, which in combination with onboard computing hardware and an on-orbit application framework will enable unprecedented climate data processing applications.

Rafael Navarro, Optical Payload Engineering Manager at Thales Alenia Space in Spain, says, “Thales Alenia Space selected cosine’s HyperScout M product because it provides a full spectral imaging solution and has a proven track record in space. This makes it suitable for the purpose of our research program.”

Features such as customization of operating modes, different levels of image processing and data manipulation on board provide optimal flexibility for both research and operational space programs. The app-like upload environment, which allows the deployment of new algorithms and runs them in- orbit, will help to address the challenging mission constraints.

Dr. Nathan Vercruyssen, senior scientist-engineer at Cosine, adds, “HyperScout M is the most compact version of cosine’s hyperspectral product line. It provides the same capabilities as the other HyperScout models, while saving even more mass and volume, therefore allowing other subsystems to be more comfortably integrated into the spacecraft.”

HyperScout has already demonstrated the ability to run the latest image processing algorithms in space, which represents one of the main features valued by Thales Alenia Space.

“We look forward to supporting this program as it allows cosine to further increase our knowledge and experience in this cutting-edge field,” adds Dr. Marco Esposito, managing director at Cosine Remote Sensing. “We are proud that one of our optical instruments has been selected to support this ambitious research program, since it matches our ambition to exploit state-of-the-art spectral imaging solutions with onboard image processing capabilities for the benefit of society.”