SuperSharp and NanoAvionics to partner on a disruptive Thermal InfraRed (TIR) imaging satellite

UK based SuperSharp, part of the Satlantis group, has selected Kongsberg NanoAvionics's (NanoAvionics) MP42 microsatellite platform for a first-of-its-kind Thermal InfraRed (TIR) mission called Blue Moon. The mission will embark SuperSharp's flagship instrument HIBISCUS, an 80kg payload, onboard NanoAvionics' flight-proven MP42 satellite bus. The launch is scheduled for the second half of 2026 onboard a SpaceX's Transporter rideshare service.

The capabilities of Blue Moon will extend beyond that of conventional Earth observation (EO) satellites since the instrument is designed to acquire images day and night.

The disruption of SuperSharps‘ innovation, however, lies in its proprietary unfolding payload technology, capable of delivering 4x higher resolution per unit cost.

HIBISCUS can capture Long-Wave InfraRed (LWIR) imagery at a spatial resolution of three metres. The data generated by this category-defining satellite will support applications in the field of climate resilience, such as urban heat monitoring, as well as those in the domain of national security. It aims also to enable new applications in these fields.

In parallel to this agreement, NanoAvionics will also supply an additional two MP42 microsatellite platforms to Satlantis for its new generation of sub-meter resolution Earth Observation satellites.

Powered by a team of more than 30 engineers SuperSharp is a University of Cambridge spin-out founded in 2017 and part of the Satlantis group since 2023. The company specialises in the design and manufacture of very high-resolution Thermal InfraRed (TIR) imaging satellites.