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Simera Sense, a South African company providing end-to-end optical payload solutions for the small satellite Earth observation industry, has announced a growth investment round of €13.5 million ($14.75 million). Led by NewSpace Capital and Knife Capital, the investment aims to establish additional production facilities in Europe, potentially increasing production capacity by up to five times to meet growing customer demands.
While expanding its production capabilities in Europe, Simera Sense plans to maintain its primary production facility in South Africa. The funding will also support the company in diversifying its product offering, reducing delivery times, and advancing on-board processing solutions.
One of Simera Sense’s key developments is innovative on-board data processing for camera control electronics. This advancement aims to address bandwidth and communication issues associated with ground-based data processing for satellite cameras.
The injection of new capital will expedite the development of this technology, bringing it to market sooner. Founded in 2018 by Johann du Toit, Simera Sense supplies high-resolution cameras to clients in the global small satellite industry, serving various sectors. The company has actively collaborated with stakeholders in Europe, including AAC Clyde Space, Open Cosmos, OHB Systems, and the European Space Agency.
Johann du Toit, the CEO, expressed excitement about the growth and dynamism of the Earth observation and space market. He emphasized the critical role of satellite imagery in solving real-world problems.
Currently, Simera Sense’s production capacity stands at around 25 payloads per year, along with 30–40 engineering and test models. The company plans to ramp up its output to 200 payloads per year across different configurations.
To support its expansion plans, Simera Sense intends to double its development team over the next two years. This move will facilitate closer collaboration with material and component suppliers in Europe and enhance cooperation with product development partners for more efficient operations.
Source: Techpoint