Juan Tomás Hernani, SATLANTIS:Earth Observation Has Created Incredible Interest In Capital Investors

Introduction to Satlantis and Its Technology

Overview of Satlantis

• Satlantis is a specialized company focusing on proprietary optical camera technology, currently managing five space missions with a sixth planned for October.

• The company has evolved from smaller CubeSats (16U) with 2m resolution to larger microsatellites weighing 115 kg, equipped with four cameras for comprehensive territorial observation.

Mission Capabilities

• Huan Hnani, CEO of Satlantis, discusses the company's vision of democratizing satellite imagery through advanced technology.

• The conversation emphasizes the importance of Earth observation in attracting significant capital investment despite its relatively small market size compared to telecom and other sectors.

Understanding Market Dynamics in Earth Observation

Investor Interest and Market Size

• There is skepticism about whether investors are irrational or if they see potential in Earth observation; the market remains around $5-$6 billion.

• Hnani argues that critical data from Earth observation is essential across various sectors, including automotive and agriculture.

Applications of Earth Observation Data

• Key applications include monitoring production levels in industries like oil and agriculture, as well as traditional uses such as forestry protection and crop monitoring.

• The industry struggles to deliver timely information due to disorganization, which presents an opportunity for companies like Satlantis.

Customer-Centric Approach in Satellite Missions

Tasking vs. Traditional Data Access

• Hnani critiques the current "tasking" approach—where customers request specific data—arguing it should be more proactive by anticipating customer needs.

• He advocates for regular data collection based on customer requirements rather than sporadic image capture based on uncertain demand.

Future Directions for Satlantis

• Emphasizing a shift towards prioritizing customer needs will drive market evolution; identifying key customers can facilitate this change.

Conclusion: Specialization and Collaboration at Satlantis

Unique Positioning in the Market

• Satlantis positions itself uniquely by specializing in optical camera technology while collaborating with partners who understand specific customer challenges.

• This strategy allows them to provide tailored solutions rather than relying solely on platform owners who may lack expertise in addressing critical issues.

Satellite Technology and Customer-Centric Solutions

Overview of Mission Objectives

• The mission focuses on providing a comprehensive solution to customers by utilizing a global network of antennas, emphasizing the importance of technology proximity to customer needs.

• Currently, there are five missions in space with a sixth planned for October, evolving from smaller CubeSats to larger micro-satellites equipped with advanced imaging capabilities.

Unique Features of ISIM Technology

• The flagship technology, ISIM, offers multispectral satellite imagery with submeter spatial resolutions, distinguishing itself from other imaging technologies in the market.

• ISIM leverages astrophysics technology originally developed in the 1960s for star observation, now adapted for Earth observation through sophisticated image processing algorithms.

Image Processing and Resolution Capabilities

• The system captures 52 images across different spectrum bands as the satellite moves, allowing for enhanced image composition and resolution adjustments based on environmental conditions.

• Users can select various modes (precision, contrast, brightness), enabling flexibility in achieving optimal image quality depending on situational factors like time of day and angle.

Advantages Over Traditional Imaging Technologies

• ISIM significantly increases revisit times by 10 to 20 times compared to traditional methods. For example, monitoring a pipeline can yield up to 50,000 kilometers of data monthly instead of just hundreds.

• This capability allows for more efficient target selection and tracking over vast areas without needing multiple satellites in orbit.

Multispectral Imaging Comparison

• While competitors may offer high-resolution images (e.g., 30 cm), their multispectral capabilities often drop significantly (to around 1.2 meters). In contrast, Satlantis maintains consistent resolution across all spectral bands.

• By capturing all bands simultaneously at native resolutions (90 cm), Satlantis provides superior data quality essential for algorithmic analysis rather than human interpretation.

How Does Satlantis Facilitate End-to-End Solutions for Small Satellites?

Overview of Satlantis' Approach

• Satlantis focuses on providing end-to-end solutions for small satellites, emphasizing their upstream technology capabilities rather than downstream applications.

• The company collaborates with various verticals and operates satellites on behalf of customers, enhancing service offerings through asset federation.

• They acknowledge the challenge of working with downstream specialists who may lack a comprehensive understanding of specific environmental issues.

Applications in Methane Emission Detection

• Satlantis specializes in methane emission detection due to partnerships with gas midstreamers, making it a key focus area for the company.

• The complexity of detecting methane emissions is highlighted by the need for precise calibrations and converting satellite data into actionable metrics (e.g., kilos per hour).

• Challenges include weak absorption signals affected by atmospheric conditions, necessitating probabilistic communication with clients regarding emission measurements.

Regulatory Context and Future Developments

• Current regulatory environments are turbulent, particularly in the U.S., where emitter regulations are temporarily frozen but expected to resume due to ongoing climate concerns.

• Methane's potency as a greenhouse gas (80 times more impactful than CO2) underscores the urgency of addressing emissions effectively.

• Upcoming satellite advancements will incorporate polarimetry and cryo cameras to enhance detection capabilities and improve measurement precision over time.

What Capabilities Does Satlantis Offer Beyond Earth Observation?

Space Situational Awareness Technology

• In addition to Earth observation, Satlantis is developing technologies for space situational awareness (SSA), focusing on monitoring objects around Earth rather than just terrestrial observations.

Dual-Camera System

• The SSA technology utilizes a dual-camera system: one camera offers high precision while another provides a wide-angle view, maintaining consistent technological application across different projects.

Star Observation Mission

• Leading the Arais mission involves using 170 cameras to observe stars close to Earth, requiring adjustments during satellite movement to capture accurate images over extended periods.

Cosmology and Dark Matter: Insights from Satlantis

The Role of Satlantis in Cosmology

• The mission aims to provide critical input to cosmology, specifically addressing whether Einstein's theories and the hypothesis about dark matter are accurate.

• Scientists discuss alternative propositions if current observations suggest that movements are not fast but cold, indicating a need for reevaluation of existing theories.

Journey with WGIC

• Juan reflects on his experience with WGIC, expressing pride in being part of the association despite Satlantis being a unique entity within it.

• He emphasizes the importance of adapting GIS requirements to better understand available image data and space data, suggesting a shift in perspective is necessary.

Innovations in Data Collection

• Juan advocates for collecting observations using tailored methods that align with specific spectral bands and characteristics rather than relying on general approaches.

• He highlights the potential for hardware, software, and service projects that are affordable and efficient, breaking away from traditional satellite pricing models.

Future Vision for WGIC

• Juan envisions WGIC playing a crucial role in managing complexity within the rapidly evolving geospatial industry by promoting open architecture solutions.

• He stresses the importance of maintaining openness and standards to facilitate integration across new technologies while navigating increasing complexity.