Satellite Vu, an Earth observation company which offers the highest resolution thermal imagery and insights, has secured a major new funding boost from the UK Space Agency.
The funding of almost £1 million was announced as the UK hosts COP26 in Glasgow and will support trailblazing technology that will help tackle climate change and predict global disasters using satellites.
It is part of the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme, which has seen 11 UK organisations awarded a share of just under £7m of government funding to put into action the latest advances in space innovation.
The majority of the projects focus on climate change or environmental management, with others designed to secure our telecommunication systems and protect digital infrastructure against cyber-attacks.
British satellite scaleup Satellite Vu was founded in 2016 and recently successfully raised £15 million as it looks to ramp up its plans to launch seven thermal and infrared imaging satellites into space that will be able to provide real-time data on how green every building on the planet is.
Stanlow, Liverpool: Image, right, taken from an aircraft with an engineering model of Satellite Vu’s space camera
“We’re thrilled to receive this crucial funding from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme, an initiative which has shown a real commitment to backing companies that can help tackle the climate change emergency,” said Anthony Baker, CEO.
“With the COP26 summit in full swing, the NSIP grant award will rapidly accelerate the development of our infrared and thermal imaging satellite technology, offering governments around the world a real-time view into temperatures across buildings and cities.
“With 40% of all carbon emissions coming directly or indirectly from buildings, such insights will enable world leaders and elected mayors to quickly identify energy wastage and put in place plans for improvements to develop cleaner, greener cities that are fit for the future.”
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The government recently launched the National Space Strategy which outlines the long-term plans to grow the UK space sector and make Britain a science and technology superpower, including building on manufacturing and technology capacity, attracting investment and working internationally.