14.01.2025

Dragonfly Aerospace, a leading provider of high-performance electro-optical payloads and satellite solutions, is thrilled to announce its partnership with Australian Earth observation company, LatConnect 60. The collaboration will see Dragonfly supply three state-of-the-art Chameleon SWIR (shortwave Infrared) imagers to LatConnect 60 for their upcoming SWIRSAT satellites, scheduled for launch in 2026. LatConnect 60 is supported by the Australian Space Agency and the Western Australian State Government for the project funding to develop the SWIRSAT satellites.

The agreement represents a significant milestone for both companies, marking the beginning of a shared mission to enhance Earth observation capabilities. Manufactured in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the Chameleon SWIR imagers will serve as the primary payloads for the SWIRSAT satellites, enabling LatConnect 60 to deliver cutting-edge data products to its global customer base. Upon completion, the imagers will be delivered to LatConnect 60 in Australia for integration into their satellite platforms.

Expanding the Frontier of Satellite Imaging

Dragonfly Aerospace expanded its Chameleon imager range in 2024 to include the versatile Chameleon SWIR, joining an innovative lineup that also features snapshot and multispectral VIS-NIR options as well as hyperspectral solutions. This addition has significantly broadened the application range of Dragonfly’s imaging systems, opening up new markets for both the company and its commercial partners.
SWIR technology, which operates in wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum, unlocks new dimensions of Earth observation. Its unique capabilities allow for clearer imaging through atmospheric interference such as smoke or haze and deliver spectral insights unavailable in traditional optical imagery.

The Chameleon SWIR is designed to address some of the most complex challenges in Earth observation, including:

• Methane Gas Detection: Monitoring greenhouse gas emissions by identifying leaks and emissions with precision, supporting sustainability goals and regulatory compliance.
• Precision Agriculture: Providing detailed data on crop health, soil conditions, and water usage to optimise agricultural productivity and resource management.
• Disaster Management: Enhancing situational awareness during emergencies, such as wildfires, floods, and oil spills, to guide rapid and effective response efforts.
• Mineral Exploration: Improving resource discovery and extraction processes by analysing the spectral signatures of minerals.

These capabilities make the Chameleon SWIR an invaluable asset for industries relying on accurate, actionable geospatial data.

A Partnership for Progress

“This partnership underscores Dragonfly Aerospace’s commitment to enabling groundbreaking Earth observation solutions,” says Francois Mostert, CEO of Cameras at Dragonfly Aerospace. “We are excited to work with LatConnect 60 to deliver our advanced Chameleon SWIR imagers, which will empower end-users with unparalleled data insights for tackling critical challenges across industries.”

The Chameleon SWIR’s advanced imaging capabilities will empower LatConnect 60 to provide exceptional data insights, supporting critical industries such as environmental monitoring, energy, and agriculture.

LatConnect 60 CEO, Venkat Pillay, commented, “Partnering with Dragonfly Aerospace allows us to leverage the latest innovations in SWIR imaging to deliver high-value data to our customers with customised spectral bands that we have specified, to meet our unique needs. The SWIRSAT satellite constellation will mark a new era in Earth observation, particularly for high-resolution carbon emissions monitoring, and we’re excited to embark on this journey with a trusted partner.”

The partnership highlights Dragonfly Aerospace’s growing influence in the global space industry, showcasing its ability to deliver mission-critical solutions for advanced Earth observation missions.

Quelle: Dragonfly Aerospace