constellr develops and operates thermal microsatellites for absolute temperature measurement and decision-relevant thermal intelligence.
constellr GmbH
Munich (Headquarters) · Freiburg · Berlin · Brussels · Toulouse · Washington, D.C.New on Amplifa
About constellr
constellr GmbH develops and operates thermal satellites for highly precise measurement of land surface temperature. The HiVE (SkyBee) microsatellite constellation delivers absolute surface temperatures with 30 m native ground resolution (sharpened 10 m) and a radiometric accuracy of 1.0–1.5 K, day and night, from a sun-synchronous orbit. The sensor suite comprises four thermal and ten visible/near-infrared channels (VNIR) with a cryogenically cooled payload. The value chain ranges from satellite development and mission operations (Mission Control, Flight Dynamics, Mission Planning) through the ground segment to AI-powered data analytics and a data platform. Application areas include national security, maritime situational awareness, urban dynamics, industrial facility monitoring, and food and water security. Customers include governments and defense agencies; the company is a Copernicus Contributing Mission of the European Commission and ESA-validated. Headquartered in Munich, with additional locations in Freiburg, Berlin, Brussels, Toulouse, and Washington, D.C.
- Site
- Munich
- Processes
- Thermal satellite imaging (thermal intelligence, 4 thermal + 10 VNIR bands, day and night), Thermal analytics / sensor fusion (AI models, analytics, ground resolution 30 m native, sharpened
- Materials
- Thermal infrared sensing with VNIR, Cryogenically cooled thermal payload, Sensor fusion with AI models
- Certificates
- Copernicus Contributing Mission (ESA/EU)
- Industries
- National Security, Defense, Maritime Situational Awareness, Urban Dynamics, Industrial Facility Monitoring, Food & Water Security
- 01
Satellite development (SkyBee)
- 02
Constellation launch and operation (sun-synchronous orbit)
- 03
Ground segment: tasking, downlink, processing
- 04
Data platform (MCS, FDS, MPS)
- 05
AI analytics: thermal intelligence and activity detection
Technology & Processes
Thermal infrared sensing with VNIR
Four thermal and ten visible/near-infrared bands for georeferencing and atmospheric correction.
Cryogenically cooled thermal payload
Enables temperature measurement with NETD 0.05–0.15 K.
Sensor fusion with AI models
Transforms temperature data into behavior, stress, and change patterns.
Locations
Munich
DEHeadquarters
Freiburg
DESite
Berlin
DESite
Brussels
BESite
Toulouse
FRSite
Washington, D.C.
USSite
Systems & Services
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal satellite imaging (thermal intelligence, 4 thermal + 10 VNIR bands, day and night)Testing | 1.0–1.5 K absolute surface temperature | – | – | – | – |
| Thermal analytics / sensor fusion (AI models, analytics, ground resolution 30 m native, sharpenedEngineering | NETD 0.05–0.15 K | – | – | – | – |
1 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal microsatellite (SkyBee, HiVE constellation) | constellr SkyBee | 2 | 30 m native resolution (27.3 m GSD at 510 km altitude), sun-synchronous orbit | – | Orbit |
Validation & Data Quality
The data is validated by ESA and the European Commission; constellr is a Copernicus Contributing Mission partner. The data quality meets the requirements for government and defense use.
| Evidence | Munich |
|---|---|
| Copernicus Contributing Mission (ESA/EU) |
History
- 2022
ISS demonstrator mission validated the thermal technology; over 10 million images captured.
- 2023
Copernicus Contributing Mission status from ESA as well as a multi-year contract with the European Commission.
- 2025
Two satellites operational; first light over Tokyo demonstrated building-level resolution.
- 2026
Full constellation capability planned; part of the Airbus Defence and Space consortium with Rohde & Schwarz, Orbint, and HPS.
- 2028
Planned: annual satellite launches, higher temporal resolution, and expanded analytics.