SATLANTIS and SOLARMEMS Technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development and in-orbit validation of advanced attitude determination technologies for Earth observation missions, integrating the new generation of microST star trackers into the ELCANO-1 mission and strengthening the development of advanced Earth observation capabilities based on agile and multisensor platforms.
Under this agreement, SMT will provide its microST, the next generation of high-performance star trackers, together with a microSC (star camera). This combination enables accuracy better than 5 arcseconds across all axes, supporting highly precise attitude determination even under agile maneuvering conditions, a key requirement for high-performance Earth observation missions.
The core focus of this collaboration is the in-depth analysis of error sources associated with misalignment between the primary payload and the reference frame provided by the star trackers.
This agreement represents a critical step toward more robust and precise systems, tailored to the demands of modern Earth observation constellations, where agility and accuracy are key differentiators.
SATLANTIS is a leader in the development of advanced Earth observation systems based on proprietary optical technologies and FlexSat satellite architectures capable of continuously acquiring images during agile maneuvers. Its solutions combine multisensor capabilities by integrating PAN, RGB, NIR, SWIR, and TIR capabilities, as well as video and polarimetry, combining optical technologies, advanced electronics, onboard software, and image processing with in-orbit validated expertise.
The collaboration will combine the capabilities of both companies to improve attitude control systems and geolocation accuracy for Earth observation satellites. The agreement also foresees future cooperation phases focused on in-orbit validation and the technological evolution of these capabilities for upcoming SATLANTIS missions.
ELCANO-1 is the first satellite of the new FlexSat microsatellite generation developed by SATLANTIS for advanced Earth observation. The satellite will be capable of integrating up to seven optical payloads covering spectral bands from visible to thermal infrared (0.4–13 μm), including video and active polarimetry capabilities, enabling both submetric resolution and wide-area coverage depending on mission requirements.
The integration of microST will validate new high-precision attitude control and georeferencing capabilities under agile maneuvering scenarios, a key differentiator for future FlexSat architectures. Both companies will jointly work on thermoelastic behavior analysis, pointing error modeling, and optimization of the correlation between attitude telemetry and final image geometric quality.
The collaboration will also address the operational evaluation of star trackers under real dynamic conditions, including high angular-rate operations, recovery after blinding events, and performance enhancement during continuous image acquisition.
According to the agreement, SATLANTIS and SMT will collaborate on defining specifications, interfaces, and performance requirements for this new generation of star trackers, with the objective of developing products specifically tailored for advanced Earth observation platforms and achieving TRL9 validation through in-orbit demonstration.
Juan Tomás Hernani, CEO of SATLANTIS, stated:
“This collaboration reflects the potential of the Spanish space ecosystem to jointly develop critical, high-value-added technologies. At SATLANTIS, we are redefining how information is acquired from space through platforms capable of combining agility, continuous imaging, and advanced multisensor observation. This collaboration with Solar MEMS Technologies allows us to incorporate critical next-generation capabilities to further enhance the performance of our future FlexSat missions and consolidate a highly innovative and internationally competitive Spanish space ecosystem.”
Jose Miguel Moreno López, CEO of SMT, stated:
“From advanced engineering to space: when a next-generation star tracker is tested on an Earth observation satellite, innovation ceases to be a promise and becomes a proven capability. Solar MEMS develops the technology and SATLANTIS evaluates it in orbit, linking attitude telemetry with the actual performance of its telescopes and imaging products. The result is faster learning, optimized performance, and accelerated technological maturity using real operational data.”
The collaboration will continue to evolve through upcoming in-orbit validation phases and the joint development of new capabilities for future generations of FlexSat missions.
