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After 7 first-generation missions, our team took everything we’d learned and started again from scratch. The result is HEO’s second-generation Non-Earth Imaging camera suite.
Meet Adler Mk2, the next evolution in our Non-Earth Imaging capabilities, built for distant and demanding orbits. Every component has been re-engineered to survive a minimum of five years in geostationary orbit (GEO), a region exposed to intense radiation and extreme thermal shifts and one where resolved imagery of satellites remains rare.
Adler Mk2 extends HEO’s mission to place advanced cameras across as many vehicles as possible, meeting the growing demand for eyes in deep orbit. Its first flight to GEO is scheduled for 2026.
Built for Distant Orbits
Our customers have been asking for deeper coverage and Adler Mk2 is our answer. The structure, power systems, and optics have been hardened for high-radiation environments and long-duration missions. With a five-year design life, Adler Mk2 can continuously image high-value assets in GEO, unlocking resolved imagery in a region where capability has lagged behind demand.
A New Optical System
The team has completely re-engineered the optical system. Improved alignment tolerances, advanced coatings, and refined optical surfaces increase resolution and sharpness. The camera supports frame rates up to 100 fps, capturing still imagery and also short video sequences for dynamic assessment of spacecraft behaviour.
Colour-Capable
One of the most visible changes is the addition of optional RGB imaging. This gives operators richer context for spacecraft inspection, anomaly detection, and material analysis.
Detection on the Edge
Adler Mk2 carries forward our heritage of autonomous Non-Earth Imaging, now with the ability for detection running directly on the edge. It autonomously detects spacecraft within captured datasets and transmits only the frames containing targets, minimising data transfer and enabling faster responses in constrained link conditions.
Evolving Through Flight Heritage
Each HEO mission before Adler Mk2 contributed to its evolution, from the early Holmes and Adler’s first-generation flights. Lessons from every orbit informed improvements to optics, mechanics, and onboard processing. The camera’s architecture has also been reconfigured to give customers more integration flexibility, supporting both hosted payloads and dedicated missions.
Expanding Non-Earth Imaging
There are not enough cameras in orbit to meet current demand. Adler Mk2 is designed to scale, bringing reliable imaging capability to any platform and extending visibility across orbital regimes. By increasing camera availability, HEO is accelerating access to transparent, persistent awareness in space.
Adler Mk2 Specifications
