TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 Japan\u2019s IHI is considering adding next-generation hyperspectral satellites from Finnish startup Kuva Space to its planned 100-strong, multi-sensor sovereign Earth observation constellation.<\/p>\n
The companies announced a memorandum of understanding July 21 to explore building and operating Kuva\u2019s Hyperfield-2 satellites in Japan, including potentially manufacturing them in the country.<\/p>\n
The agreement envisages orders from the Japanese aerospace manufacturer in 2027, when Kuva also plans to demonstrate the 70-kilogram microsatellite in orbit for the first time, after deploying two 12-kilogram Hyperfield-1 cubesats over the past two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cA secure and resilient space capability is increasingly important for Japan\u2019s national security,\u201d said Atsushi Sato, president of IHI\u2019s aero-engine, space and defense business.<\/p>\n
\u201cHyperspectral satellite data can provide insights that conventional imagery cannot, supporting both security and wider dual-use applications.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hyperfield-2 would extend Kuva\u2019s sensors into short-wave infrared, improving the constellation\u2019s ability to identify and distinguish materials by their spectral fingerprints.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, IHI is assessing the capability to detect vessels that are not broadcasting Automatic Identification System signals, potentially to conceal their location or activities, as well as mapping changes in land cover and use.<\/p>\n
According to Kuva, around 20 Hyperfield-2 satellites would be enough to provide daily coverage of about 20 million square kilometers across Japan, neighboring countries and surrounding ocean areas.<\/p>\n
The Finnish venture ultimately plans to deploy 100 satellites by the end of 2030, which it says could provide sub-daily monitoring across East Asia.<\/p>\n
IHI would receive coverage in proportion to the number of satellites it procures, Kuva said, while benefiting from the revisit performance of the wider constellation.<\/p>\n
The Japanese group, which deployed a hyperspectral demonstrator last year that was built by Lithuania\u2019s Kongsberg NanoAvionics, has been evaluating data and analytics from Kuva\u2019s Hyperfield-1 spacecraft since November.<\/p>\n
Sensor integration<\/p>\n