ESA, VITO, and Aerospacelab Team Up for IPERLITE Hyperspectral Mission
VITO, the European Space Agency (ESA), and Aerospacelab have officially signed an agreement to launch the IPERLITE Hyperspectral In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission.
The mission will demonstrate a next-generation hyperspectral imaging system developed by AMOS, featuring compact and high-resolution sensors designed for Earth observation. It will fly aboard Aerospacelab’s VSP-150 satellite platform, known for its versatility and high performance.
At the heart of the mission is a powerful hyperspectral sensor. Developed using thin-film interference filters from IMEC—deposited directly on a 2D detector—it captures light across 154 spectral bands from 475 nm to 900 nm, with a spectral resolution between 3 and 10 nm. From an orbit of 510 km, it will deliver 20-meter resolution imagery across an 80 km swath.
©Aerospacelab
Advanced onboard systems, developed by Deltatec, will handle data acquisition and processing. Thanks to digital time delay integration (TDI) technology, with up to 12 stages, the sensor achieves a significant boost in signal-to-noise ratio.
We’re proud to collaborate with ESA and Aerospacelab on this milestone mission. IPERLITE will allow us to push the boundaries of hyperspectral imaging from space and generate valuable insights into our planet’s environment.
Dr. Iskander Benhadj, VITO Project Manager
VITO is leading the development of the Payload Data Ground Segment (PDGS), which includes both the Ground Image Processing Facility and the Image Calibration and Validation Center.
The IPERLITE mission will validate the sensor’s performance in orbit and open the door to new applications in agriculture, water quality monitoring, and environmental research.
Aerospacelab is excited to support this mission with our VSP-150 platform. Our partnership with VITO, ESA, and other Belgian innovators reflects our commitment to practical innovation in Earth Observation.
Xavier Collaud, Project Manager at Aerospacelab
The launch is scheduled for early Q4 2025.
Stay tuned - IPERLITE is preparing to bring a sharper, more detailed view of Earth from Space!
