Objectives of the Product

The Integrated VHR Satellite for Energy Networks (IVSEN) project addresses the critical needs of energy operators and infrastructure managers for timely, reliable, and cost-effective Earth Observation (EO) data. Existing solutions are often expensive, difficult to scale, and limited in responsiveness, creating inefficiencies and financial risks. IVSEN tackles these challenges by developing a microsatellite platform optimised for Very High Resolution (VHR) EO applications, with a focus on industrial scalability, ease of assembly, weight optimisation, and cost efficiency, plus a clear user-driven approach to provide tangible operational, financial, and efficiency benefits to energy networks users.

Customers and their Needs

The Integrated VHR Satellite for Energy Networks (IVSEN) targets energy operators and infrastructure managers, who face rising challenges in monitoring and securing their networks. Their main problems are vegetation encroachment around power lines, which causes outages and wildfire risks, and damages assessment after extreme weather events, increasingly disrupting transmission and distribution systems. Current inspection methods—manual patrols, helicopters, or drones—are costly, inefficient, and lack scalability, limiting visibility and timely response.

IVSEN proposes a satellite-based monitoring solution built around a Very High Resolution (VHR) payload, specifically optimised for imaging infrastructures. Users will be actively involved through requirement collection, questionnaires, reviews, and validation activities. The solution empowers them to shift from reactive to proactive asset management, lowering maintenance costs, enhancing risk assessment, and improving resilience. Ultimately, IVSEN provides utilities with timely, scalable, and cost-effective EO insights to safeguard infrastructure and ensure reliable service.

Targeted customer/users countries

The targeted user base spans Europe and the Americas.

Product description

The IVSEN project is developing a Very High Resolution (VHR) Earth Observation satellite optimised for energy network monitoring. The payload is a telescope achieving <0.5 m resolution, integrated into a compact, lightweight platform compatible with small satellite launches.

Key innovations include agile and stable ADCS for precise pointing, high-rate communications, optimised power management and advanced thermal stability. Beyond the satellite, IVSEN delivers an end-to-end solution: data acquisition, AI-driven analytics, and an end-user platform offering dashboards, 3D visualisation, and automated reporting. Designed as a “flying camera,” the system balances bespoke integration with scalable standardisation, delivering both a satellite product and a turnkey service for infrastructure monitoring. This ensures utilities gain actionable insights to enhance grid resilience, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency.

Added Value

The IVSEN solution delivers clear advantages over both payload and service competitors who offer Very High Resolution (VHR) optical instruments which are usually heavier, less optimised for microsat platforms, or produced on an ad-hoc basis.

IVSEN’s payload, derived from the VHR SATLANTIS proprietary payload concept, combines proven CubeSat technologies with miniaturised optics to achieve sub-50 cm resolution in a compact, scalable, and cost-efficient design—making it uniquely suited for agile EO missions targeting energy networks.

In terms of end-to-end services, current leaders provide analytics for utilities, but rely largely on third-party satellite data, limiting control over revisit time, tasking flexibility, and long-term cost structures. By integrating a proprietary VHR satellite with dedicated service elements, IVSEN offers utilities both ownership options (a standalone satellite) and a turnkey monitoring service (with analytics and periodic reporting). This dual approach ensures greater responsiveness, higher data reliability, and direct tailoring to energy-sector needs.

Current Status

The IVSEN activity builds on SATLANTIS’ VHR payload, the largest optical instrument in its portfolio, and it leverages heritage from the flying iSIM technology. Current work focuses on payload interfaces, integration, and front-end electronics to ensure compliance with EO mission requirements.

On the platform side, Alén Space is leading new designs for the microsatellite subsystems, while solar panel development will adapt lightweight, DHV-reinforced composites to meet demanding mass and geometry requirements. On the Data Segment side, GeoAI provides expertise based on its user platforms and dedicated algorithms for energy networks-related applications.