UK’s SatVu Secures £30M to Build Next-Gen Thermal Spy Satellites—NATO and UK Government Back Bold Space Surveillance Push

In a bold move that signals the accelerating convergence of space technology, defence intelligence, and climate monitoring, UK-based thermal intelligence pioneer SatVu has closed a £30 million funding round, doubling its total equity funding to £60 million. The fresh capital injection—spearheaded by the NATO Innovation Fund alongside heavyweight investors including the British Business Bank, Space Frontiers Fund II, and Presto Tech Horizons—marks a pivotal leap toward building a high-resolution thermal satellite constellation capable of round-the-clock surveillance of Earth’s most sensitive and strategic sites.

The investment round also saw strong participation from existing backers, including Molten Ventures, Adara Ventures, Ridgeline Ventures, NOA, Lockheed Martin, Seraphim Space Fund, and Stellar Ventures, underscoring the deep cross-sector confidence in SatVu’s ambitious vision.

Why Thermal Intelligence is the New Frontier in Defence and Security

As governments and allied institutions worldwide double down on resilience, readiness, and independent intelligence capabilities, the appetite for persistent, reliable operational insights has never been greater. Traditional Earth observation methods—while valuable—often fall short when continuous monitoring is critical, particularly in complex or contested environments.

Enter SatVu, a company rewriting the rules of Earth surveillance with space-based thermal imaging technology. Unlike conventional optical satellites limited by daylight and weather, SatVu’s high-resolution thermal sensors capture heat signatures with stunning 3.5-metre resolution, day or night, revealing hidden patterns of activity around critical infrastructure, military installations, and industrial sites.

This isn’t just about spotting a building—it’s about detecting operational changes, readiness levels, and anomalies invisible to the naked eye. From monitoring blast furnaces in steel plants to tracking activity at data centres, oil rigs, and solar farms, SatVu’s thermal intelligence offers a multi-dimensional lens on both security and sustainability challenges.

From Single Satellite to Global Constellation: SatVu’s Expansion Blueprint

Founded with a clear mission—to provide governments with intelligence that cannot be obtained through any other means—Anthony Baker, SatVu’s co-founder and CEO, has positioned the company at the cutting edge of defence and climate tech convergence. “High-resolution thermal imagery from space can reveal activity that is otherwise difficult to detect,” Baker explains, highlighting how heat signatures can expose operational patterns, infrastructure changes, and readiness indicators vital for defence and security decision-making.

To scale this capability, SatVu is rapidly moving from its single-satellite demonstration to a multi-satellite constellation. Two new satellites are slated for launch in 2026, with three additional spacecraft already under contract. While a lone satellite can observe any point on Earth, a constellation dramatically increases revisit frequency—enabling continuous, persistent monitoring of dynamic activity over time.

This shift isn’t just technical; it’s strategic. By deploying a scalable constellation, SatVu aims to transform from a niche demonstrator into a commercial powerhouse, delivering actionable intelligence to defence ministries, intelligence agencies, and industrial clients worldwide.

The NATO Connection: A Strategic Vote of Confidence

The involvement of the NATO Innovation Fund is particularly noteworthy. As NATO members ramp up investments in dual-use technologies—those serving both civilian and military purposes—SatVu’s thermal intelligence platform sits squarely at the intersection of security, resilience, and climate monitoring. This partnership not only validates SatVu’s technology but also aligns it with the West’s broader strategic priorities in an era of heightened geopolitical competition.

Beyond Defence: Industrial and Climate Applications

While defence and security remain core markets, SatVu’s technology has far-reaching implications for industrial efficiency and environmental stewardship. By monitoring heat emissions from factories, power plants, and renewable energy sites, the company’s data can help optimise operations, reduce waste, and track compliance with environmental regulations. In an age where climate intelligence is as critical as military intelligence, SatVu’s platform offers a rare convergence of capabilities.

What’s Next: Scaling Up, Going Global

With the new funding, SatVu is poised to accelerate satellite deployment, expand its data analytics capabilities, and scale commercial operations. The ultimate goal? A global constellation delivering persistent, high-resolution thermal intelligence—a capability that could redefine how nations monitor security threats, industrial activity, and climate risks from space.

As the lines between defence, industry, and environmental monitoring blur, SatVu’s rise signals a new era of space-enabled intelligence—one where heat signatures from orbit become as vital as GPS coordinates or satellite imagery.

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