Simera Sense selected by Loft Orbital to supply 10 hyperspectral imagers. Simera Sense has supplied 10 HyperScape100 imagers to Loft Orbital (Loft). The procurement of the 10 HyperScape100 imagers speaks to the growing demand for compact, reliable, and flight-proven imaging payloads that can be integrated quickly into modern satellite platforms. With satellite operators seeking to serve a wider range of commercial and institutional users, the reliability of the payload and speed of its integration are becoming increasingly important to the success of any given mission. Simera Sense's optical payloads combine high performance, compact form factor, and small satellite mission heritage. The company's imagers are designed to support a range of Earth observation applications, including environmental monitoring, infrastructure observation, land-use analysis, maritime awareness, and a number of other data-driven services that depend on timely, high-quality imagery from orbit. The HyperScape100 is the leading compact hyperspectral imager, delivering high-performance 32-band imagery at 4.75 m GSD from low Earth orbit. Its configurable architecture enables operators to select any 32 spectral bands from a library of 400 and update those selections while in space. This unmatched flexibility allows the payload to evolve alongside mission objectives, unlocking new applications and maximizing mission value over time. More than 15 of the imagers in total have now been launched and are operating successfully from space. 'Loft operates in exactly the kind of environment for which our imagers were designed,' said Thys Cronje, Chief Commercial Officer at Simera Sense. 'Supplying 10 HyperScape100 imagers over the past 12 months speaks to the strength of its relationship and the growing importance of proven, mission-ready payloads for modern commercial space programmes. 'Satellite Evolution Group is proud to support Loft across a range of missions and to help make high-quality, space-based hyperspectral imaging more accessible to customers worldwide.' Pierre-Damien Vaujour, CEO at Loft, said: "We're pleased to work with industry partners like Simera Sense to support our growing multi-sensor, AI-based space infrastructure services offering." The relationship between Simera Sense and Loft also reflects the increasing maturity of the small satellite market. As more customers seek access to space-based data, satellite operators need payload partners that can support repeatable, scalable, and commercially viable mission architectures. Optical payloads remain central to this market, providing the imagery required for decision-making across government, commercial, environmental, and security applications. For Simera Sense, the procurement further reinforces the company's position as a trusted provider of advanced optical payload solutions for small satellite operators, mission integrators, and Earth observation companies worldwide. The company continues to expand its role in the global space sector by delivering payloads that combine performance, reliability, and ease of integration for next-generation satellite missions.

Loft Orbital has procured 10 additional Longbow satellite platforms from Airbus Defence and Space and a high-power Nova bus from Apex to expand its off-the-shelf satellite inventory. The 235kg Longbow platforms can carry payloads up to 85kg and will support constellation deployments for government and defence customers. Loft has now ordered 32 Longbow platforms since 2022. The new 600kg Nova platform provides 1kW of orbit-average power and supports payloads up to 300kg, targeting national security applications including advanced sensing and communications. The contract includes up to 10 buses, with the first delivery scheduled for October 2026. Founded in 2017, Loft has flown over 25 missions, offering governments and companies rapid satellite deployment by integrating, launching, and operating spacecraft on their behalf.

Loft Orbital books multiple launches aboard MaiaSpace rockets. July 8, 2026 US-based satellite operator Loft Orbital has signed a multi-launch agreement with ArianeGroup subsidiary MaiaSpace. Although the announcement provided few details, it did share that the first flight was expected in 2028. In an 8 July press release, MaiaSpace explained that the multi-launch agreement "consolidates its launch manifest," adding that the company has now sold more than half of all capacity for its first three years of operation. To date, all Loft Orbital satellites have been launched aboard SpaceX Transporter rideshare missions. However, according to reporting from SpaceNews, in recent weeks, several customers of these missions have said that SpaceX is not accepting Transporter reservations beyond late 2028 or early 2029. The publication quoted Rocket Lab CFO Adam Spice as saying that there "seems to be a panic setting in." While Loft Orbital has some protection against the loss of Transporter capacity through German launch aggregator Exolaunch, with which it has previously worked and which has secured a dedicated SpaceX flight to market as a rideshare mission, the company is likely looking to add further redundancy to its launch manifest. Beyond redundancy, though, a quote from Emmanuelle Meric, general manager of Loft Orbital's European operations, points to another motivation for selecting a European launch provider. "As Loft Orbital strengthens its work with public and institutional partners in Europe, choosing a trusted European launch provider is a natural step towards supporting a more sovereign and reliable European space ecosystem," said Meric. Despite its growing launch manifest, MaiaSpace has not yet attempted a flight of its Maia rocket. The company is currently working toward a suborbital test flight in early 2027, followed by an initial orbital flight in the second half of 2027. Speaking to European Spaceflight in late June, a MaiaSpace spokesperson explained that it expects to ship elements of the first two flight models to its launch site in French Guiana by the end of the year. Keep European Spaceflight independent. Your donation will help European Spaceflight to continue digging into the stories others miss. Every euro keeps our reporting alive.