Satrec Initiative to build ultra-high-resolution optical satellites for Hanwha constellation
Satrec Initiative will manufacture and launch four optical satellites capable of 10-centimeter-class imagery to complement Hanwha's 64-satellite SAR constellation. The satellites will operate in very low Earth orbit below 400 kilometers to achieve the high resolution. The company also plans to offer AI-based imagery analysis through its spinoff SI Analytics.
The four optical satellites will join Hanwha's planned 64-satellite SAR network, which targets 30-minute revisit capability by 2031. Satrec's existing SpaceEye-T spacecraft already delivers 25-centimeter optical imagery following its 2025 launch, giving the company a baseline for pushing toward the finer 10-centimeter resolution.
Operating below 400 kilometers presents engineering hurdles, including atmospheric drag and atomic-oxygen corrosion. Hanwha plans to test a prototype near 500 kilometers first, gradually descending to gather operational data. The company also intends to market AI-driven imagery interpretation through its SI Analytics spinoff, positioning the combined SAR and optical system as a defense and intelligence service.
Ten-centimeter resolution could significantly enhance surveillance capabilities for government and military clients, enabling detection of very small objects from space. This may raise privacy and security concerns as commercial imagery approaches classified government capabilities. Defense agencies could gain faster, more detailed reconnaissance, but the technology may also increase pressure on regulatory frameworks governing commercial satellite observation.