Spire Global Announces Space Services Deal to Scale Constellation for HANCOM InSpace

Spire Global, a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, announced an agreement with HANCOM InSpace, initially a spin-off by Korea Aerospace Research Institute and now a part of HANCOM Group, for Sejong-2 and Sejong-3 two additional satellites with Spire Space Services. Under this agreement, Spire will build and operate the satellites, expanding the capabilities of HANCOM-1 (Sejong-1). Together, these satellites will form a constellation for Korea’s first three-satellite remote sensing image data service.

HANCOM specialises in commercial and government applications of image analysis, including detection of vehicles, aircraft and ships, changes in roads and buildings, and pine tree death detection. The missions are focused on collecting optical imagery for applications in the agriculture sector, including landscaping applications and the expansion of its existing image analysis portfolio offerings. HANCOM plans to launch and operate a constellation of up to 50 satellites.

Sejong-1, a Spire satellite carrying an optical payload for HANCOM, launched in May 2022 on the SpaceX Transporter-5 Mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It was the first commercial satellite deployed for a private South Korean company.