SatVu strengthens NATO’s space-based intelligence

Image courtesy SatVu

As part of this effort, SatVu has successfully delivered an Infrared Familiarisation programme to NATO personnel at the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.

The APSS initiative is a multi-year, multi-domain, multinational effort designed to enhance space-based intelligence sharing across the Alliance. By integrating commercial and government-owned space-based assets, APSS enables NATO to build a comprehensive, cross-domain intelligence picture to inform political decision-making and military operations. Managed by NCIA, the programme ensures that data is collected, aggregated, and delivered at speed, providing decision-makers with actionable insights when they are most needed.

Through SatVu’s involvement, NATO analysts gain access to advanced thermal imaging capabilities that complement existing optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data sources. SatVu’s satellites capture heat variations across the Earth’s surface at resolutions of up to 3.5 metres, allowing detection of activity rather than just physical change. This offers unique advantages for defence and intelligence, including 24/7 operational capability and the ability to reveal insights invisible to traditional imaging.

During the recent Infrared Familiarisation course, NATO participants explored a range of defence applications including:

• Strategic site monitoring and critical infrastructure protection
• Detection of activity in ships, aircraft, and vehicles through thermal signatures
• Border security and counter-narcotics operations
• Identification of underground or concealed infrastructure
• Monitoring of power stations, fuel depots, and other energy facilities

The programme engaged NATO personnel from across the operational community, ensuring a broad understanding regarding how thermal data supports wider operational needs.

The training underscored the importance of introducing sensors and intelligence layers that have been less widely understood. Thermal intelligence was described as the ‘activity layer’ that reveals operational status and human presence, complementing (or enhancing) Optical and SAR sensors data sources.

Anthony Baker, CEO & Co-founder, SatVu, said: “Thermal intelligence provides the critical ‘activity layer’ that enhances and complements existing intelligence sources, enabling decision-makers to see not just where assets are, but what they are doing. By working with NATO, we are excited to help accelerate the delivery of richer, more actionable intelligence to support the Alliance’s security and operational goals.”

By contributing to APSS, SatVu is committed to supporting NATO in advancing ISR capabilities – helping to ensure that the Alliance has access to enhanced space-based intelligence.