AAC Clyde Space has successfully launched the first two satellites in its VIREON™ Earth Observation constellation. The satellites were launched on SpaceX's Transporter-16 mission on Monday, 30 March. Both VIREON™-1 and VIREON™-2 have been deployed into orbit and will now begin their commissioning phase. Initial signals have been received from the satellites, confirming that both spacecraft are functioning as expected following launch.
VIREON™ is designed to balance detail, coverage and revisit frequency, delivering data that is well-suited for operational monitoring at scale. The system provides the right level of detail to enable meaningful and cost-effective analysis of land and vegetation. Combined with data processing capabilities, VIREON™ is designed to support practical use of Earth observation data in real-world resource management.
"VIREON™ addresses a clear need in the market for Earth Observation data that can be used operationally and at scale," says Luis Gomes, CEO of AAC Clyde Space. "VIREON™ is designed to provide a cost-effective balance of coverage, detail and frequency, enabling practical monitoring of land and natural resources. With this constellation we are expanding our capacity to deliver data services to more customers."
The satellites will now enter a commissioning phase during which onboard systems and payload performance will be tested and calibrated before operational data services begin. The duration of commissioning varies depending on operational conditions and may take several weeks or months before the satellites are fully operational. Following commissioning, the VIREON™ satellites will begin delivering Earth Observation data under initial customer agreements, with the capacity to support additional customers over time.
In parallel with launch preparations, AAC Clyde Space has initiated procurement of components for VIREON-3 and VIREON-4. With four satellites, the VIREON constellation is designed to provide the coverage and revisit rates required to support commercial and institutional applications. The full constellation supports AAC Clyde Space's expansion within space-based data services.
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