HEO Robotics launches world’s first commercial camera dedicated to non-earth imaging

Sydney-based HEO Robotics’ Holmes Imager, hosted by Turion’s Droid-1, was also launched successfully into space from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The Holmes Imager is the world’s first commercial camera dedicated to non-Earth imaging and was manufactured entirely in Australia. The Holmes Imager serves to empower HEO Inspect. HEO Inspect is an in-orbit satellite inspection software platform that enables non-Earth imaging (NEI) and delivers intelligence on space objects. HEO Inspect will process and analyse Holmes’ captured data, enabling customers to explore and interpret space objects with great clarity and accuracy.

Since its unveiling in August 2022, HEO Inspect has been used by governments, defence, and commercial industry to visually monitor space objects. The Holmes Imager will increase HEO Robotics’ coverage in space by providing satellites a transformational new capability while helping to develop solutions for customers to better understand space assets and their environment through non-Earth images.

The Holmes imager will enable HEO Inspect to deliver innovative solutions that benefit space players, while:

• Reducing the time from tasking to data download
• Extending space-based imaging operations with HEO Robotics’ owned and operated sensors
• Conducting experiments to identify limitations and potential areas for improvement in NEI

“By equipping satellites already launching into space with our state-of-the-art camera technology, we are taking a proactive approach to ensuring the long-term sustainability of space operations, reducing the need for additional satellite launches,” says the company.

“We are thrilled to put an Australian-manufactured camera in space and continue on our mission of making space transparent,” said Will Crowe, CEO of HEO Robotics. “We need high-quality data to make evidence-based decisions. As a world-first, the Holmes Imagers will provide improved data to HEO Inspect so our customers have access to non-Earth imaging and analytics on the space objects that matter to them.”

Holmes Imager is a testament to Australia’s technological capability and strong research and industry supply chain. This achievement was made possible through capabilities of HEO Robotics’ Australian partners: Additive Engineering, the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF), The Australian National University (ANU), Emax Engineering, Infinity Avionics and Ironbox Engineering. Their expertise in high-precision diamond turning, optics and electronics design, manufacturing, and 3D printing has been instrumental in advancing our hardware products.

“The Holmes Imager launch once again demonstrates how Australians can achieve incredible success when we have access to the ideas, talent, drive and infrastructure to bring our innovations to life,” said Jane Fitzpatrick, CEO at Australian National Fabrication Facility. “We look forward to this launch and hope to continue providing support to this project and many others in the Space domain.”

HEO Robotics was the first company to offer commercial in-orbit satellite inspection services and now specialises in in-orbit satellite inspection services and analytics for government, defence and commercial customers in Australia, USA, and UK.