Albedo, a satellite imagery startup, is gearing up for its highly anticipated debut in the commercial Earth observation industry. The company’s first satellite, named Clarity, is set to launch into very low Earth orbit (VLEO) through SpaceX’s Transporter-13 ride share mission in spring 2025. This innovative satellite is equipped with ultra-high resolution cameras, capable of capturing images so sharp that they have historically been restricted to American defense and intelligence organizations.
Albedo has already secured seven customers who have reserved a portion of Clarity’s image tasking, including SkyFi, a satellite imagery broker, and Open Grid Europe, a German energy company. The CEO of Albedo, Topher Haddad, acknowledges that their timeline is aggressive but believes that their technology development for flying a high-resolution system in VLEO is the key to their success.
What sets Albedo apart is their unique spacecraft design, enabling them to offer 10-centimeter-per-pixel images at unprecedentedly low prices. Currently, the largest optical imagery providers collect images at a 30-centimeter resolution, which is then algorithmically improved to 15 centimeters. Satellites capable of collecting 10-centimeter resolution images typically operate at higher orbital altitudes and cost billions of dollars to manufacture and launch. In contrast, Albedo’s satellites will be the size of refrigerators and will utilize ultra-efficient electric propulsion to counteract atmospheric drag.
Despite the counter-intuitive nature of heavier satellites in VLEO, Albedo’s design decisions, such as mounting solar panels on the spacecraft instead of deploying them in two wings, allow them to minimize cross-sectional area and effectively counteract drag. This innovative approach has led to the development of a complex robotic system with a large aperture telescope and powerful capabilities.
To further strengthen its team, Albedo has appointed Kathryn Tobey as its first independent director. Tobey brings a wealth of experience from her 34-year career at Lockheed Martin, where she was the VP of the company’s Space, Special Programs line of business. Her deep technical understanding of satellites and expertise in high-performance imaging satellites, coupled with her knowledge of the national security customer landscape, makes her a valuable addition to Albedo’s board.
Albedo’s groundbreaking technology and disruptive approach to the commercial Earth observation industry position them as a major player in the market. With their upcoming satellite launch, they are poised to revolutionize the accessibility and affordability of high-resolution satellite imagery for both commercial and government customers.
