These partnerships leverage Sceye's HAPS technology as a key tool for precision earth observation and multi-mission payloads. Equipped with advanced hyperspectral imaging, Sceye's HAPS will help NASA and USGS track methane "super emitters," monitor wildfire and storm activities, detect earthquakes, and observe other extreme weather events. The data gathered in real time will support the expansion of climate data and enhance forecasting models.
"Our partnership with NASA and USGS is built on the potential of HAPS to stay over an area of operation for long periods of time. In contrast to satellites, HAPS can do that below orbital altitude, thereby offering a unique vantage point to address climate change and better prepare for extreme weather events," said Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO and Founder of Sceye. "We are unlocking the stratosphere as the next frontier to make important scientific advancements that will help communities across the world."
With rising climate change concerns and record methane emissions, Sceye's HAPS technology aims to provide high-resolution emission detection down to the pixel. Additionally, Sceye is partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Mexico Environmental Department on a five-year program to detect methane emissions across New Mexico. During its most recent flight, Sceye's platform demonstrated its capabilities with onboard infrared cameras capturing crucial data.
Powered by solar energy during the day and batteries at night, Sceye's HAPS maintain continuous flight above 60,000 feet, an altitude where few technologies can operate effectively.
"HAPS are a gamechanger for the scientific community because they can linger over events, take high resolution data continuously in real time, and give a more accurate understanding of what may happen before, during, and after an event," said Jonathan Stock, Director, USGS National Innovation Center.
The final launch of Sceye's 2024 program capped a successful operational year, achieving full characterization of the vehicle with key milestones, including controlled relocation, full diurnal flight, and long-duration station-keeping over target areas.
This recent mission created the largest real-time map of New Mexico to date. The high-resolution, multi-gigabit images gathered offer a new level of precision for disaster prevention and environmental monitoring. This achievement supports expanded commercial applications planned for 2025.
As Sceye moves toward commercial use and longer missions, it will focus on testing the platform's ability to sustain extended "seasonal flights" in 2025. These flights will enable continuous monitoring during critical periods, such as wildfire season, to deliver near real-time data on emerging threats.
Following a successful Series C funding round that raised Sceye's pre-money valuation to $525 million, the company is advancing its goal to develop transformative environmental monitoring solutions.
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