Payload will be first in the commercial industry
El Segundo, Calif., Sept. 10, 2014 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received its first commercial order for the 502 Phoenix small satellite from HySpecIQ of Washington, D.C. The satellites will carry the commercial remote sensing industry’s first high-resolution hyperspectral payload, capable of providing spectral imaging fidelity that far exceeds what is currently available.
Boeing will deliver a complete satellite system initially consisting of two satellites, available for launch in 2018; command and control operations; image processing; and data storage of collected imagery. The contract includes options for long-term operations and maintenance.
“This combines a flexible satellite system design with an innovative business model, demonstrating our commitment to evolve our satellite portfolio into adjacent markets,” said Craig Cooning, president of Network & Space Systems. “Our 502 Phoenix is well-suited for a range of missions that includes electro-optical imaging and remote sensing, space situational awareness and satellite communications.”
Hyperspectral imaging is an information-rich technology that uses spectral color bands to identify objects and materials in an image. More than 200 spectral colors in the visible and shortwave infrared spectrum are collected to uncover diagnostic spectral patterns not visible to the naked eye. The technology provides valuable data and enables the delivery of information products to key markets, including the global oil, gas, mining, agriculture and environment monitoring industries, as well as U.S. government agencies and partner countries.
“Boeing’s in-depth experience in hosting electro-optical payloads, coupled with its unmatched record in the delivery of commercial space systems, was the deciding factor in this award,” said William R. Sullivan, HySpecIQ founder and executive chairman. “Working closely with Boeing’s team will allow us to bring forward a technical design with unparalleled remote sensing capability that will set a new standard in this industry. We have every confidence that Boeing will deliver flawlessly in meeting our performance, cost and schedule requirements.”
Boeing will manage sales, processing and distribution of the hyperspectral imagery products to the U.S. Government intelligence community, Department of Defense and international partner customers. HySpecIQ will manage sales, processing and distribution of the hyperspectral imagery products to the global civil and commercial market.
The satellites will be based on the Phantom Phoenix prototype, developed by Boeing Phantom Works. Boeing’s sites in Huntington Beach and El Segundo, Calif., Puget Sound, Wash., Colorado Springs, Colo. and Springfield, Va. will support the program.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 56,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.