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Holmes Mk2 will provide high-quality non-Earth imaging and insights to the mission
Sydney, Australia, [April 3, 2025] – HEO announced today that it has been selected by Space Machines Company, to support its on-orbit servicing and space debris mitigation demonstration, Space-MAITRI, scheduled to launch in late 2026.
This landmark Australian collaboration will see HEO’s advanced non-Earth imaging (NEI) camera integrated into Space Machines Company’s Australian-built Rapid Response Vehicle, Optimus Viper. The mission represents a major step forward for Australia’s space capabilities and international space partnerships.
The Holmes Mk2 camera builds on its successful predecessor, Holmes Imager, with enhanced resolution while maintaining its compact design, enabling superior imagery of space objects and better data for space debris monitoring and mitigation efforts.
“Space Machines’ partnership with HEO continues to go from strength to strength, with local collaboration and innovation integral to the future of the local space ecosystem,” said Rajat Kulshrestha, Space Machines Company CEO and Founder. “The integration of HEO’s NEI Camera and advanced imagery capabilities will play a critical role in Space MAITRI’s mission of safeguarding on-orbit assets and advancing sustainable space exploration.”
“Adding HEO’s NEI camera to Space Machines Company’s Optimus Viper provides another proof point for the demand of high-quality in-orbit insights on dangerous space debris,” said Will Crowe, Co-Founder & CEO of HEO. “We’re excited to partner on this mission and work towards our shared vision of a more sustainable space environment.”
Space MAITRI is a joint Australian-Indian mission to show progress toward space debris management and a sustainable space environment. This project received grant funding from the Australian Government via the Australian Space Agency and will see Space Machines Company’s second spacecraft launched on NSIL's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle.
About HEO
HEO is a non-Earth imaging company that delivers on-demand, high-frequency imagery and insights on the most important assets in space. HEO is building out a network of NEI sensors by partnering with Earth observation satellite constellations and launching own cameras as hosted payloads to achieve proliferation of NEI sensors across all orbits in the Earth-Moon system. HEO deploys highly autonomous software to monitor spacecraft at scale for government, defence, and commercial customers. HEO is headquartered in Australia with offices in the UK and USA.
About Space Machines Company
Space Machines Company is building a full stack on-orbit servicing capability in Australia, that will be capable of Defence, civilian and commercial customers and applications. Specifically, Space Machines Company can support Australian, US, AUKUS and Quad defence applications. This will focus on Space Domain Awareness, on-orbit inspection and future Space Control activities, as well as space debris protection and removal.
Contact:
HEO Media Contact
Dane Brumm
Marketing Manager
dane@heospace.com
