Dragonfly Aerospace Partners with LatConnect 60 for Advanced SWIR Imaging Satellites

Dragonfly Aerospace, a leading provider of high-performance electro-optical payloads and satellite solutions, has announced a landmark partnership with Australian Earth observation company LatConnect 60. Under this collaboration, Dragonfly Aerospace will supply LatConnect 60 with three cutting-edge Chameleon SWIR (shortwave infrared) imagers for its forthcoming SWIRSAT satellite constellation, set to launch in 2026. This project has garnered support from the Australian Space Agency and the Western Australian State Government, underscoring its strategic importance.

The partnership signifies a major milestone in Earth observation, combining Dragonfly Aerospace’s advanced imaging technology with LatConnect 60’s operational capabilities. The Chameleon SWIR imagers will be manufactured at Dragonfly’s facilities in Stellenbosch, South Africa, and subsequently delivered to LatConnect 60 in Australia for satellite integration. Furthermore, this collaboration will enhance Earth observation capabilities globally, benefiting diverse industries with precise and actionable geospatial data.

Expanding the Frontier of Satellite Imaging

In 2024, Dragonfly Aerospace expanded its Chameleon imager series to include the Chameleon SWIR, augmenting its diverse range of snapshot, multispectral VIS-NIR, and hyperspectral imaging solutions. This advancement has significantly broadened the applications of Dragonfly’s imaging systems, allowing the company to tap into new markets and address evolving customer needs.

SWIR imaging technology operates in wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum, offering unique advantages in Earth observation. These include superior imaging through atmospheric disturbances like smoke or haze and the ability to capture spectral information unavailable in traditional optical imagery.

The Chameleon SWIR imager is tailored to address complex challenges in Earth observation, including:

• Methane Gas Detection: Monitoring greenhouse gas emissions by precisely identifying leaks, supporting environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance.
• Precision Agriculture: Delivering detailed data on crop health, soil conditions, and water usage to optimise agricultural productivity and resource management.
• Disaster Management: Enhancing situational awareness during crises such as wildfires, floods, and oil spills to guide timely and effective response efforts.
• Mineral Exploration: Improving the discovery and extraction of resources by analysing the spectral signatures of minerals.

These features make the Chameleon SWIR imager an indispensable tool for industries that depend on reliable geospatial data.

A Partnership for Progress

Commenting on the collaboration, Francois Mostert, CEO of Cameras at Dragonfly Aerospace, stated, “This partnership underscores Dragonfly Aerospace’s commitment to enabling groundbreaking Earth observation solutions. We are excited to work with LatConnect 60 to deliver our advanced Chameleon SWIR imagers, empowering end-users with unparalleled data insights to tackle critical industry challenges.”

The Chameleon SWIR’s advanced imaging capabilities will enable LatConnect 60 to provide high-value geospatial data products, supporting industries such as environmental monitoring, energy, and agriculture. This collaboration further emphasises the shared vision of the two companies to advance technological innovation in Earth observation.

LatConnect 60 CEO Venkat Pillay highlighted the importance of the partnership, saying, “Partnering with Dragonfly Aerospace allows us to leverage the latest innovations in SWIR imaging to deliver high-value data to our customers with customised spectral bands that meet our unique needs. The SWIRSAT satellite constellation will mark a new era in Earth observation, particularly for high-resolution carbon emissions monitoring. We’re excited to embark on this journey with a trusted partner.”

About Dragonfly Aerospace

Headquartered in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Dragonfly Aerospace specialises in designing and manufacturing high-performance optical payloads and satellite platforms for commercial and government applications. Driven by a commitment to innovation and reliability, the company is critical in advancing space exploration and Earth observation.

About LatConnect 60

LatConnect 60 is an Australian Earth observation company that delivers actionable geospatial insights to agriculture, resources, and environmental management industries. By leveraging cutting-edge satellite technology, the company aims to address complex global challenges and foster sustainable growth across sectors.