Open Cosmos Successfully Completes Fourth Launch

Open Cosmos, the data satellite specialist, has successfully launched its fourth Earth Observation satellite of the year, ALISIO-1. The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California onboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. ALISIO-1 has been deployed from the D-Orbit ION vehicle and is now in its final orbit.

Shortly after deployment, ground control established first contact with the satellite. The technologies used for ALISIO-1's mission were developed under the UK Space Agency-funded ESA PIONEER Programme.

ALISIO-1, which stands for Advanced Land-Imaging Satellite for Infrared Observations, is a 6U satellite developed for the Instituto Astrofísico de Canarias (the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands). Its primary payload, DRAGO-2, is a camera operating in the Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) range, providing precise observations of the Canary Islands and other regions around the globe. These observations will play a crucial role in various applications, including wildfire monitoring, volcano activity monitoring, oil spill detection, desertification control, and crop humidity monitoring.

In addition to its imaging capabilities, ALISIO-1 is equipped with an optical communications terminal for Space-Earth communications. This technology utilizes laser beams to transmit data through space, offering advantages such as enhanced data transfer and heightened security.

This successful launch marks a significant step forward for future space missions and satellite communications, where robust and secure communication channels are paramount. Furthermore, ALISIO-1's design and build process has validated a suite of technologies that record every test digitally, enabling faster problem identification and resolution throughout the satellite's lifecycle. This semi-automated approach enhances Open Cosmos's capability to deliver space missions faster, more reliably, and affordably.

"The Pioneer partnership is instrumental in developing space missions in an affordable, efficient, and reliable manner for customers," says Open Cosmos VP Florian Deconinck. "We have been able to digitalize many parts of the mission lifecycle process, from design to test recording and operations. This is fundamental to growing our business capability for satellite constellations, increasing our delivery speed while maintaining our reliability in orbit."

Open Cosmos has had a successful year, launching four satellites, including MANTIS, which provides high-resolution imagery for logistics and natural resource monitoring, and Platero, which combines Earth Observation and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to monitor biodiversity. In September, Open Cosmos secured $50 million in Series B funding from ETF Partners, Trill Impact, and A&G to accelerate international growth and expand its offering.