Bellatrix Aerospace has entered into a significant partnership with South Korea’s TelePIX to jointly develop a Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite mission.
This collaboration is centred around the integration of TelePIX’s advanced Chouette optical payload with Bellatrix’s VLEO satellite bus, which will be powered by its proprietary Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) system. The mission is scheduled for launch in 2028.
The Chouette payload has been specifically designed for the demanding VLEO environment, where satellites operate at altitudes between 150 km and 250 km. Unlike conventional optical payloads, Chouette’s form factor is optimised to withstand the challenges of atmospheric drag while delivering high-resolution, wide-swath imaging.
Its observation width is more than double that of comparable systems currently available, and when combined with TelePIX’s AI-driven image processing, it promises to deliver cutting-edge geospatial data for defence, disaster response, and environmental monitoring.
Bellatrix Aerospace will provide the satellite bus, including propulsion, power, thermal control, and attitude control systems, while TelePIX will contribute the optical payload and support system integration.
The companies will also cooperate on launch operations, early orbit operations, and mission management. This partnership underscores the growing importance of VLEO satellites, which offer superior imaging resolution compared to conventional Low Earth Orbit (LEO) systems due to their closer proximity to Earth.
Industry experts believe that VLEO constellations could revolutionise Earth observation, particularly for defence and precision monitoring applications. However, the environment presents challenges such as atmospheric drag, making advanced propulsion technologies like ABEP essential for sustained operations.
Bellatrix’s CEO, Rohan M Ganapathy, emphasised that while small satellites may suffice for demonstration missions, commercially viable constellations will require larger platforms and robust propulsion systems.
He noted that operating constellations in VLEO has the potential to deliver “game-changing improvements” in optical imaging resolution compared to current LEO systems.
This collaboration between Bellatrix and TelePIX highlights the increasing global interest in VLEO missions and positions both companies at the forefront of next-generation Earth observation technologies.
Agencies
