Locations
European law firm Fieldfisher has advised British scale-up Satellite Vu, an Earth observation company that offers the highest-resolution thermal imagery and insights, on its contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) to build its first satellite.
The new satellite is due to be launched into low earth orbit in Q4 2022.
The satellite will collect thermal data day and night of both the natural and the built environment at any location on the planet.
The full constellation will have the ability to measure the heat signature of any building multiple times a day, enabling Satellite Vu to derive new insights in real time about building heat loss, activity and insulation.
The deal comes following Satellite Vu’s £15 million series A funding round, and an additional £1 million grant from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP).
The satellite has been designed with a high resolution 3.5m resolution mid-wave infrared imager with video capability.
The satellite video generation capability adds unique advantages over traditional imagery, allowing the detection of highly dynamic features in scenes to be provided and extracted, such as 3D profiles, movement tracking, and speed measurement useful for a range of applications relating to human activity, including defence and security and disaster monitoring.
The satellites and applications development has been supported by the UK Space Agency, via two National Space Innovation Grants and a European Space Agency (ESA) General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) grant.
The Fieldfisher team advising Satellite Vu on the contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd and the UK Space Agency grants was led by John Worthy, partner and head of the firm's award winning Satellite and Space Projects group, along with director Emily Parris and associate Alex Harbin.
Anthony Baker, CEO, Satellite Vu said:
“After months of perfecting and developing the core technology, we’re excited to have formally signed this agreement with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd to build the first of our seven planned satellites, which will offer near real time high resolution temperature profiles of cities around the world. Satellite Vu will become the thermometer of the world.
“With the climate change emergency reaching critical levels, our insights will enable any business, building owner or government on the planet to obtain an independent, ongoing assessment of their energy wastage and efficiency, as well as the ability to monitor water pollution.
“Getting access to this data will enable organisations to take immediate action to improve their green credentials, as well as giving shareholders and investors a unique view into their company’s ESG performance.”
Fieldfisher's John Worthy said:
"We are delighted to have worked with Satellite Vu in successfully closing these strategic deals, creating the platform for their innovative thermal imaging services, which will provide a key weapon in combating climate change.
"This is the latest example of our award winning Satellite and Space Projects team supporting innovative space businesses which will make a real difference to the communities of tomorrow."
About Fieldfisher
Fieldfisher is a European law firm built around its people. We are a full-service firm with market-leading practices in energy and natural resources, technology, financial services and life sciences.
Our network of more than 1,700 expert people spans 25 offices in 11 countries, including our US and China locations, acting alongside our international partner firms, enabling us to advise clients around the world with seamless efficiency and dedication across time zones and disciplines.
A Times Top 20 Law Firm, we are highly commended by the European Financial Times Innovative Lawyers rankings and repeatedly nominated for awards in areas including dispute resolution, public and regulatory, M&A and IP.
Our lawyers are consistently recognised by legal directories as leading professionals in their areas of specialism and we are ranked tier 1 or 2 in a number of our key practice areas.
For more information about our firm, please see: About | Fieldfisher