constellr selects Space Inventor to build next-generation satellite platforms for the HiVE Thermal Intelligence Constellation

(left to right)_ Karl Kaas, Space Inventor CEO shaking hands with Marius Bierdel, constellr co-founder and VP of Program Management

Space Inventor has been selected by constellr, a pioneer in thermal Earth observation, to build two satellite platforms for the next critical phase of the High-Precision Versatile Ecosphere (HIVE) program.

Slated for launch in 2028, the spacecrafts will support constellr's expanding constellation, driven by recent funding and a surging global demand for high-precision thermal data across security, infrastructure, and resilience sectors.

constellr's HiVE is an advanced satellite constellation designed for absolute temperature monitoring from space. By capturing high-precision thermal intelligence, HiVE adds a critical capability to Earth observation (EO). Where optical systems see structures and radar systems see through clouds, constellr's thermal imaging reveals hidden activity, heat patterns, and behaviors that would otherwise remain invisible.

For Space Inventor, this contract represents a strategic next step to advance its European manufacturing base of small satellite constellations and form vital partnerships with fellow space industry leaders in Earth observation technologies. As a dedicated mission partner with extensive, proven experience in remote sensing for both science and defense missions, Space Inventor is fully equipped to scale alongside constellr.

"Our partnership with constellr perfectly aligns with Space Inventor's core strategy to advance Earth observation missions utilising our Flexible Modularity approach to system integration," says Jan Smolders, Chief Commercial Officer. "We're excited to join this Europe-based EO innovation initiative and are fully ready to help bring the objectives of the HiVE Next-Generation programme to life."

Space Inventor's highly scalable satellite platforms provide an ideal foundation for constellr's advanced thermal imaging payloads, enabling both the flexibility of payload integration and delivery of high-precision thermal intelligence from orbit. constellr's growing constellation is poised to steadily advance EO intelligence in critical sovereign domains, such as national security, maritime awareness, infrastructure monitoring, climate resilience, and food and water security.

By revealing temperature patterns, thermal anomalies and activity that may not be visible through traditional Earth observation methods, the constellation will provide decision-makers with a powerful new layer of space-based insights into both natural and human environments.

"We needed a platform built around the payload, not the other way around. Space Inventor's system-level approach means our thermal sensors perform exactly as designed once they're in orbit." says Marius Bierdel, co-founder and VP Program Management.

To support an Earth observation mission of this complexity, Space Inventor's spacecraft architecture is guided by four fundamental principles: decentralised architecture, modularity, redundancy, and scalability. Together, these pillars provide the ultimate robustness and flexibility in a satellite platform to help further constellr's leadership and ambitions in global thermal intelligence.