This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
image/svg+xml
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
image/svg+xml
  • Home
  • Topics
    • BIM
    • GIS
    • GNSS
    • Laser Scanning/LiDAR
    • Mapping
    • Modeling
    • Photogrammetry/Imaging
    • Remote Sensing
    • UAS/UAVs
  • Digital Edition
  • Products
  • Blogs
  • Resources
    • GeoLocator
    • POB eNewsletter
    • Events
    • List Rental
    • Connect
    • POB Store
    • Special Reports
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Staff
    • Subscribe
  • POB Home
Home » Hera Systems Gains Access To Cutting-Edge NASA Technology
Geodatapoint

Hera Systems Gains Access To Cutting-Edge NASA Technology

December 9, 2015
Press Release
Reprints
No Comments

NASA’s Ames Research Center and Hera Systems have executed a licensing agreement on two pending patents for the Cost Optimized Test of Spacecraft Avionics and Technologies (COTSAT) spacecraft.

The agreement enables Hera Systems, a satellite information and analytics company, to leverage NASA’s cutting-edge technology in the development of an ultra-high resolution commercial imaging system that Hera Systems anticipates launching in 2017. The news comes on the heels of Hera Systems’ Nov. 19 announcement revealing plans for the launch of a 1-meter-resolution imaging satellite constellation in late 2016.

COTSAT is a rapid-prototype, low-cost spacecraft for science experiments and technology demonstration. The spacecraft platform is designed to accommodate low-cost access to space for variable remote sensing payloads, while maintaining an architecture that allows for expansion of advanced imaging systems. COTSAT is the result of a six-year NASA program intended to assess the use of commercial, off-the-shelf components to radically reduce the cost of satellite program deployment.

“Acquisition of NASA’s COTSAT intellectual property allows us to fast-track the development of our next-generation spacecraft,” says Bobby Machinski, CEO of Hera Systems. “We anticipate saving millions of dollars in development costs, and reducing the launch schedule by up to 18 months,” he added.

The license arrangement with NASA Ames grants Hera Systems unlimited access to the COTSAT source code associated with two pending patents: the modular spacecraft software architecture and the low-burden star tracker. With this unlimited access, Hera Systems is already leveraging COTSAT technology, research and components as it develops a sophisticated imaging system that will allow the collection of sub-meter resolution imagery of the Earth.

The star tracker’s ultra-fine pointing knowledge and jitter control system are essential to supporting Hera Systems’ plans to launch an advanced constellation of high-performing spacecraft, according to Machinski. “These are remarkable capabilities, and crucial for precision communication systems and sub-meter resolution imaging,” he says.

Hera Systems is planning to demonstrate the new system, featuring many of the COTSAT-based technologies, in 2017. With a plan to simultaneously test three advanced payloads, Machinski says, Hera Systems will demonstrate it is possible to achieve a highly reliable, accurate and affordable spacecraft within a compressed schedule.

About NASA’s Ames Research Center

Ames Research Center, one of 10 NASA field centers, is located in California’s Silicon Valley. For more than 75 years, Ames has been a leader in conducting world-class research and development.

About Hera Systems

Hera Systems is a satellite information and analytics company that collects images of Earth every day, enabling commercial and government organizations to monitor change and make smart decisions in near-real time. Hera Systems’ initial satellite constellation will enable customers to acquire imagery and video, as well as intelligent analytics and derived information, on demand through a simplified user interface. Future generation systems will feature higher resolution imaging capabilities and other advanced technologies.

Subscribe to POB

Recent Articles by Press Release

THSOA Announces 2017 Hall of Fame

Woolpert Names New President, CEO

U.S. HYDRO 2017 Accepting Abstracts, Exhibitors

Septentrio Unveils new Altus APS3G RTK Receiver

Harris Offering Icaros OneButton with ENVI

Related Articles

Stampede Releases Cutting-Edge Drone Video System

Florida Utility Cuts Costs With Terrago Edge

Publicly Accessible US Elevation Mapping Gains New Federal Partners

Hera Systems Reveals 2016 Satellite Launch Plans

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment


GDP-Digital-Edition
Click here to view the
February edition of GeoDataPoint!

 

Tweets by @GeoDataPoint

POB

POB December 2019 cover

2019 December

In the December 2019 issue of POB, learn how GNSS field mapping played a crucial role in creating the Port of New Orleans first enterprise GIS. Also in this issue, find out how a recent regulatory proposal could restrict UAV flights.
View More Subscribe
  • Resources
    • Construction Group
    • List rental
    • Survey And Sample
    • Associations & Industry Links
    • Subscribe
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Order Reprints
    • Want More
    • Connect
    • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
    • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • My Account
    • Renew
    • Create Account
    • Change Address
    • Pay My Bill
    • Free eNewsletters
    • Customer Care

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing