HEO has acquired Satellogic's in-orbit satellite NewSat-34, renaming it Continuum-1. This landmark deal makes HEO the first Australian entity to own and operate a sub-meter resolution satellite. The acquisition provides immediate operational capacity, significantly bolstering the nation's sovereign space capabilities.
A New Paradigm for Sovereign Capability
This agreement establishes a new pillar of Australian space sovereignty by bypassing traditional development cycles. Acquiring an existing in-orbit satellite provides immediate access to advanced capabilities. This approach reduces the cost, complexity, and time associated with launching a new national asset from scratch.
Luciano Giesso, a Vice President at Satellogic, called this model the fastest path to sovereign space capability. He explained that ownership delivers full priority and mission capacity, enabling a higher cadence than shared access allows. This removes a major operational constraint for governments seeking speed and control over space assets.
The transaction also highlights a commitment to orbital sustainability by both companies. Repurposing a legacy satellite extends its operational life for a new application. This demonstrates how existing space hardware can continue to deliver meaningful value in adjacent sectors like non-Earth imaging.
Advancing Non-Earth Imaging and Research
For HEO, Continuum-1 will primarily function as a dedicated in-orbit research and development platform. The satellite is instrumental in advancing the company's specialized non-Earth imaging (NEI) services. This gives HEO full operational control over its first owned satellite to accelerate core product development.
The company plans to use the satellite to test novel image acquisition modes and expand its deep catalog of satellite imagery. This dedicated testbed will also help generate comprehensive, AI-ready datasets. These datasets are critical for accelerating the development of HEO's autonomous non-Earth imaging systems.
Owning the satellite allows HEO to maneuver the asset at will, a key advantage over using partner satellites during their downtime. The company intends to demonstrate advanced maneuvers, including Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) to image other satellites. This will help prove and refine its unique NEI methods for future deployment.
Supporting National Interests and Deepening Partnership
Beyond its primary NEI mission, Continuum-1 will deliver tangible national benefits for Australia. The satellite's original high-resolution Earth observation capabilities will be leveraged to support domestic priorities. This includes applications such as advanced wildfire monitoring and enhanced maritime domain awareness for the nation.
Dr. Will Crowe, CEO of HEO, described the acquisition as a historic shift in Australia's space maturity. He emphasized the nation is moving from dependency on foreign partners to direct ownership of a critical asset. This ensures Australian interests have priority access to high-resolution data from a satellite under sovereign control.
This deal expands a longstanding commercial relationship between the two companies. HEO, previously a customer for Satellogic's imagery services, now transitions to satellite ownership and operations. Satellogic will continue providing operational support, leveraging its expertise while HEO maintains full control of its new asset.
The acquisition of Continuum-1 is a multifaceted strategic victory for HEO and a significant leap for Australia's space sector. It provides HEO with an invaluable R&D platform while establishing an agile model for achieving sovereign space capabilities. This innovative approach underscores a shift towards more efficient and sustainable uses of in-orbit assets.