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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2023 - Sydney, Australia - HEO Robotics’ Holmes Imager, as a hosted payload aboard Turion’s Droid-1, was launched successfully into space aboard a SpaceX rocket at 7:35 a.m. AET from Vandenberg.
The Holmes Imager is the world’s first commercial camera dedicated to non-Earth imaging and was manufactured entirely in Australia. The Holmes Imager serves to empower HEO Inspect. HEO Inspect is an in-orbit satellite inspection software platform that enables non-Earth imaging (NEI) and delivers intelligence on space objects. HEO Inspect will process and analyse Holmes’ captured data, enabling customers to explore and interpret space objects with great clarity and accuracy.
Since its unveiling in August 2022, HEO Inspect has been used by governments, defence, and commercial industry to visually monitor space objects. The Holmes Imager will increase HEO Robotics’ coverage in space by providing satellites a transformational new capability while helping to develop solutions for customers to better understand space assets and their environment through non-Earth images. The Holmes imager will enable HEO Inspect to deliver innovative solutions that benefit space players, while:
As a company committed to advancing space exploration and sustainability, we are proud to showcase Australia's capabilities and contributions to the global space industry. By equipping satellites already launching into space with our state-of-the-art camera technology, we are taking a proactive approach to ensuring the long-term sustainability of space operations, reducing the need for additional satellite launches.
"We are thrilled to put an Australian manufactured camera in space and continue on our mission of making space transparent. We need high-quality data to make evidence-based decisions. As a world-first, the Holmes Imagers will provide improved data to HEO Inspect so our customers have access to non-Earth imaging and analytics on the space objects that matter to them,” said Will Crowe, CEO at HEO Robotics.
Holmes Imager is a testament to Australia's technological prowess and strong supply chain. This remarkable achievement was made possible with the incredible capabilities of our esteemed partners: Additive Engineering, The Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF), The Australian National University, Emax Engineering, Infinity Avionics, and Ironbox Engineering. Their expertise in high-precision diamond turning, optics and electronics design, manufacturing, and 3D printing has been instrumental in advancing our hardware products.
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"ANFF is proud to be a critical partner in the development of this exciting camera. The Holmes Imager launch once again demonstrates how Australians can achieve incredible success when we have access to the ideas, talent, drive and infrastructure to bring our innovations to life. We look forward to this launch and hope to continue providing support to this project and many others in the Space domain,” said Jane Fitzpatrick, CEO at Australian National Fabrication Facility.
“Infinity Avionics is excited to be a part of the Holmes Imager development. We believe the launch of Holmes Imager is a great milestone for the Australian space industry and we are excited to see the results,” said Damith Abeywardana, Co-founder and Managing Director at Infinity Avionics.
“The team at ANU is excited to have manufactured telescope mirrors being sent to space, marking a significant leap forward in space imaging capabilities. We can't wait to see the first images,” said Michael Ireland, at Australian National University.
For media inquiries, interviews, or further information about the Holmes Imager and HEO Inspect software, please contact:
Dane Brumm
Communications Officer
HEO Robotics
About HEO Robotics:
HEO Robotics was founded under the belief that space should be transparent. We are the first company to offer commercial in-orbit satellite inspection services. Today, HEO Robotics is a leading space technology company specialising in in-orbit satellite inspection services and analytics. Leveraging their cutting-edge software, HEO Inspect, HEO Robotics aims to revolutionise space operations by providing actionable intelligence for a safer and more efficient space ecosystem. We currently serve government, defence and commercial customers in Australia, USA, and UK.
