SatVu launches HotSat-3

MD One portfolio company SatVu, the British high-resolution thermal intelligence company, has successfully launched HotSat-3 aboard SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

HotSat-3 is SatVu's third 3.5m resolution mid-wave infrared (MWIR) satellite. Following commissioning, it will operate alongside HotSat-2, which began delivering high-resolution thermal intelligence to customers in June 2026. With two operational satellites, SatVu will be able to collect thermal imagery anywhere on Earth, day and night, every 24 hours. That doubles the capacity available to customers across the defence and intelligence, economic intelligence and climate resilience sectors.

Thermal imagery shows whether an asset is active or idle, and where activity is taking place. Repeated observations build a time series that shows not only an asset's status but how its operations are changing. For defence and intelligence users, this provides an independent layer of information on activity at strategic sites and critical infrastructure. It works at night and in places where ground truth is limited or delayed.

Capacity on HotSat-2 and HotSat-3 is already heavily subscribed. HotSat-4 and HotSat-5 are in production, with launches secured. HotSat-3 will now enter commissioning ahead of the start of commercial operations.

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Anthony Baker, CEO and Co-Founder, SatVu:

"HotSat-3 is where the constellation redefines what we can deliver for customers. With two operational satellites, we will have double the capacity: customers can collect twice as much imagery, monitor twice as many sites, or return to the same site more often."

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William McManners, Founder and Managing Partner, MD One Ventures:

"Huge congratulations to Anthony and the whole SatVu team on another successful launch. Persistent, independent thermal intelligence is becoming an essential capability for governments and their allies, and we are proud to back a British company leading in this field."

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SatVu launches HotSat-3, doubling constellation capacity and advancing high-resolution thermal intelligence from space

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‍About SatVu

SatVu is a British company that captures high-resolution thermal data from space, providing thermal intelligence to customers in defence and intelligence, economic monitoring and climate resilience. Its investors include the NATO Innovation Fund, the British Business Bank and MD One Ventures.

About MD One

Founded in 2021 as Europe's first National Security specialist VC, MD One Ventures is a Venture Capital firm, investing in Pre- Seed to Series A National Security technology companies.

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