7 May 2026 2018, the British startup SatVu released images from HotSat-2, a thermal satellite, created for energy infrastructure monitoring. The images showed the processing of domestic crude oil in Cuba, reduced operational capacity at the world's largest oil refinery in India during disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as continuous production at one of the world's largest LNG plants in Australia.
For reference: HotSat-2, built Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., is the second satellite in the commercial group of high-resolution thermal imaging satvu. First, HotSat-1, failed six months after launch.
SatVu was founded in 2016 year to provide thermal data, which reveal the level of use and operational status of energy facilities. The HotSat-2 satellite was launched at the end of March by a SpaceX rocket as part of the Transporter rideshare mission.
Anthony Baker, head of SatVu, noted, that the released images confirm the value of independent thermography for critical areas. It is about control over sanctions, power system protection and logistics chain tracking, that provide world trade. Baker added, that the company sees strong global demand for thermal data through its application
in national and economic security, as well as environmental monitoring.
According to the chief technical director of the company, Scott Herman, image of Cuba, made before public confirmation of plant restart, illustrates just that, that allows thermal exploration: independent verification of activity in places, which are otherwise difficult to control. This new layer of data provides a higher level of operational insight and validation: confirmation that, that works, when and with what intensity. He also remarked on that, that commodity traders, energy operators, intelligence agencies and environmental regulators can use thermal imaging to better understand the market, risk assessment and strategic decision-making.
HotSat-2's successor, HotSat-3, is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Transporter rocket before the end of this year.
Source: https://spacenews.com