Orbital Sidekick (OSK) has finalized plans to deploy their Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellite constellation, known as GHOSt. The hyperspectral imaging (HSI) constellation consists of six, 100 kg, ESPA class satellites designed and manufactured by Astro Digital, with Maverick Space Systems providing mission integration and management services for the launches on SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The custom hyperspectral imaging payload is provided by OSK.
GHOSt leverages OSK’s previous experience collecting and analyzing hyperspectral data with its HEIST mission on the International Space Station in 2019. The custom payload will produce the highest resolution commercial hyperspectral imagery launched to-date with a GSD of approximately 8 meters. The payload will be integrated into Astro Digital’s Corvus-XL satellite platform and will take advantage of its industry leading Ka-band data downlink capability.
Maverick Space Systems will provide mission integration hardware and services to launch GHOSt on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 starting in December 2021 and continuing into 2022.
GHOSt will capture more than 400 spectral bands in the visible to shortwave infrared range of 400 – 2500 nm to feed OSK’s Spectral Intelligence Global Monitoring Application (SIGMATM) platform.
“We’re excited to partner with Astro Digital and Maverick Space for this initial constellation. Both companies bring a high degree of agility with proven execution to our mission, allowing OSK to focus on the payload and extracting information from our unique hyperspectral data,” said Pete Friedhoff, Director of Space Systems for Orbital Sidekick.
“Persistent, hyperspectral imaging is a critical new capability in remote sensing,” said Chris Biddy, Co-founder and CEO of Astro Digital. “We are very pleased to be supporting Orbital Sidekick’s mission with our proven satellite technology and capabilities.”
“Taking advantage of frequent low-cost launch opportunities is critical to achieve Orbital Sidekick’s constellation. We are excited to partner with them and further reduce their per-satellite launch costs by aggregating two GHOSt satellites per ESPA port,” said Roland Coelho, CEO of Maverick Space.
