There are 10,000 satellites orbiting the Earth and the industry is prepared to launch another 33,000 over the next decade. As we prepare to welcome new spacecraft, inspect existing ones, and monitor old ones, HEO is extending its coverage by launching additional cameras as hosted payloads on third-party spacecraft.
Introducing Adler
To unravel in-orbit mysteries and monitor existing satellites in unique orbits like high-low Earth orbit (High-LEO) and Geosynchronous orbit (GEO), we need exceptional tools. As our second in-orbit imaging system, Adler is set to revolutionise our understanding of spacecraft. Adler benefits from the knowledge generated by our first imager, the Holmes Imager. As the largest camera dedicated to non-Earth imaging, it is optimised to achieve higher resolutions at a much larger frame rate, all in a compact design.
Adler is designed specifically for satellite-to-satellite imaging whilst operating as a hosted payload. Once launched, Adler relies on the host spacecraft for ground communication, power, attitude control, GPS time, and telemetry for operation.
A Closer Look at Adler
Adler is a marvel of engineering and technology. Operating as a hosted payload on small to large-sized satellites, it is purpose-built for capturing high-resolution images of satellites. Let's delve into some of the key specifications that make Adler stand out:
Aperture Size: 194 mm
Adler boasts an aperture size of 194 mm. This feature is crucial for gathering as much light as possible from distant objects in space, allowing for exceptionally clear and detailed images.
Compact Design
Despite its impressive capabilities, Adler manages to keep a sleek and efficient profile. Measuring at 480 mm in length, 220 mm in width, and 224 mm in height, it is compact enough to be hosted on various small to large-sized satellites. This flexibility ensures that Adler can be deployed for a wide range of missions, making it an invaluable asset for spacecraft looking to expand their business and undertake non-Earth imaging missions.
High Resolution at Any Altitude
One of Adler's greatest features is its ability to achieve high resolution even at great distances. Adler can capture images with a resolution of 1.1 metres at 500km (GSD). This level of detail allows us to study in-orbit objects with unprecedented clarity.
Sharper Images
Adler’s frame rate of 100 frames per second equips HEO Inspect to do much more in post-processing, allowing us to see more detail. We’ll even be able to catch short videos!
Other Specifications:
Field of view : 0.4 deg
Type : Snapshot, CMOS, PAN
Mass (with housing) : 8.7 kg
Operating Voltage : 5.0 V
Max current : 1.4 A
Max power consumption : 7.0 W
Communication interface : 1x UART/RS485 (up to 1.5 Mbaud), 1x USB3.0 (or USB2.0), 1x GPS Pulse Per Second
Advancing Space Exploration
We are thrilled to unveil Adler and continue our growth as a software company empowered by hardware to promote space sustainability. Our cutting-edge telescope technology, integrated into satellites bound for space, represents a proactive step towards securing the enduring sustainability of space missions while diminishing the necessity for more satellite launches.
Adler’s mission is clear: to enable us to expand our network of in-orbit sensors, access unique orbits such as high-LEO and GEO, and provide unparalleled views of spacecraft in orbit to empower HEO Inspect.
If you’re looking to fast-track your entry into the non-Earth imaging market and realise additional revenue during satellite downtime, we want to hear from you!
