Introduction
Most satellites show us what we can already see: forests, roads, rivers, and clouds. But at Satleo, we focus on what you can’t see with the naked eye — temperature.
Through advanced infrared sensing, our satellites don’t just take pictures. They measure temperature with an extraordinary 1 degree Kelvin accuracy, transforming invisible heat patterns into clear, actionable data.
But how exactly does that work? In this blog, we’ll break down the core technology behind Satleo’s thermal intelligence platform — and why it’s a game-changer for sectors like agriculture, climate, and urban planning.
What Does ‘1° Kelvin Accuracy’ Mean?
Kelvin is the scientific unit used to measure absolute temperature. While Celsius tells you how hot something feels, Kelvin tells you exactly how much energy it holds.
So when we say Satleo offers 1°K accuracy, we mean that our satellites can detect extremely subtle temperature variations — such as the difference between healthy and stressed crops, or heat zones across different city blocks — from hundreds of kilometers above Earth.
This kind of precision is rare, even among Earth observation (EO) satellites.
The Three Core Technologies Behind Satleo’s Accuracy
1. Multi-Band Infrared Imaging (MWIR + LWIR)
Satleo’s sensors operate across two main thermal bands:
- Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR)
Captures reflected and emitted thermal radiation, useful for identifying surface-level heat sources like soil moisture stress or infrastructure hotspots. - Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR)
Penetrates through clouds and captures deeper, longer-duration heat signatures — essential for environmental monitoring and time-based temperature shifts.
These two bands together give Satleo a more complete thermal picture than most visible-light or single-band satellites.
2. High-Resolution Visible Imaging
In addition to thermal bands, each Satleo satellite captures visible-band imagery at 10 cm resolution — among the highest available in the small satellite category.
By overlaying visible and thermal imagery, we deliver fusion data that helps analysts make sense of temperature variation in context:
- A heat signature isn’t just “hot” — it’s coming from that exact tree, that solar panel, or that plot of farmland.
3. Edge Computing in Orbit
One of Satleo’s key differentiators is our edge computing module, installed onboard each satellite. Rather than sending raw data to Earth for processing (which causes delays and bandwidth costs), we analyze data in orbit.
Benefits of onboard edge computing:
- Faster delivery: Processed data is transmitted in near-real time
- Reduced noise: Only useful data is sent to ground stations
- Real-time anomaly detection: Satellites can flag temperature outliers instantly
- AI-on-chip: Our models detect patterns — like drought zones or thermal stress — automatically before the data even lands
This architecture makes Satleo’s platform not just data-rich, but decision-ready.
Why Resolution Matters: Thermal Data vs. Visual Imagery
| Attribute | Traditional EO Satellites | Satleo Microsatellites |
| Imaging Band | Visible only | MWIR + LWIR + Visible |
| Temperature Accuracy | 2–5°K (typical) | 1°K |
| Spatial Resolution | 1–5 meters | 10 cm (Visible) / 2 meters (Thermal) |
| Processing Method | Ground-based | Onboard Edge Computing |
| Data Delivery | Delayed (hours to days) | Near Real-Time |
Real-World Applications of High-Accuracy Thermal Data
- Agriculture
Monitor crop health with early detection of heat stress, even before visual signs appear. - Urban Heat Mapping
Identify heat islands and plan green infrastructure with street-level resolution. - Disaster Preparedness
Track thermal anomalies in flood-prone or wildfire zones for faster response. - Smart Infrastructure
Detect overheating in solar panels, pipelines, or industrial zones without physical inspections.
How Satleo Delivers the Data
- Thermal scan initiated during satellite orbit pass
- Edge-AI module processes patterns and filters noise
- Data transmitted securely to cloud
- Delivered via dashboard/API depending on client needs
- Historical + real-time data available for comparison
This streamlined pipeline ensures speed, reliability, and flexibility across industries.
Why Most Satellites Can’t Do This
Large EO satellites often prioritize high-altitude mapping and visible-light photography. Even thermal-focused satellites are usually limited by:
- Single-band imaging
- Lower resolution (5–10m)
- High latency due to ground-only processing
- Infrequent revisit times
Satleo’s LEO orbit, dedicated thermal payload, and edge intelligence solve these bottlenecks.
Conclusion: From Accuracy to Action
In thermal imaging, accuracy is everything. A 1°K deviation could mean the difference between detecting a failing irrigation system — or missing it entirely.
At Satleo, we’ve built our platform to go beyond raw data — delivering precise, real-time, and contextual thermal intelligence to those who need it most.
Whether you’re a policymaker planning a cooler city, a climate analyst tracking environmental risk, or a researcher studying land temperature trends — Satleo gives you temperature that speaks with clarity.
Introduction
In an era marked by escalating climate challenges, rapid urbanization, and the pressing need for sustainable agriculture, the ability to monitor and interpret Earth’s temperature dynamics has never been more critical. Enter thermal intelligence—the science of capturing and analyzing temperature data from space to inform smarter decisions on Earth.
Unlike traditional satellite imagery that captures visible light, this delves into the infrared spectrum, revealing temperature variations that are invisible to the naked eye. This capability is transforming how we approach climate resilience, agricultural productivity, and urban planning.
Understanding Thermal Intelligence
Thermal intelligence involves the collection and analysis of temperature data across mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) bands using satellite sensors. These sensors detect the heat emitted from Earth’s surface, allowing for the monitoring of temperature fluctuations with remarkable precision.
This data is invaluable for identifying patterns such as urban heat islands, assessing crop health, and monitoring environmental changes. By integrating this into decision-making processes, stakeholders can proactively address challenges related to climate change, food security, and urban development.
The Rising Importance
1. Climate Resilience
As global temperatures rise, cities are experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves. Thermal intelligence enables the identification of urban heat islands—areas significantly warmer than their surroundings—allowing for targeted interventions.
For instance, a study utilizing thermal satellite imagery revealed that certain neighborhoods in London exhibited temperature differences of up to 10°C compared to greener areas . Such insights are crucial for implementing cooling strategies, such as increasing green spaces or modifying building materials.
2. Precision Agriculture
Agriculture is highly sensitive to temperature variations. Thermal intelligence provides farmers with real-time data on soil moisture levels, plant stress, and irrigation needs.
According to research, thermal satellite imagery can detect plant stress before it becomes visible, enabling timely interventions that can improve crop yields and reduce water usage . This proactive approach is essential for sustainable farming practices, especially in regions facing water scarcity.
3. Urban Planning and Development
Urban planners are leveraging thermal intelligence to design cities that are more resilient to heat. By mapping temperature distributions, planners can identify hotspots and implement measures to mitigate heat accumulation.
For example, thermal data has been used to guide the placement of parks, reflective surfaces, and ventilation corridors in urban areas, contributing to more comfortable and sustainable living environments .
Thermal Intelligence vs. Traditional Satellite Imagery
| Feature | Traditional Imagery | Thermal Intelligence |
| Spectrum Captured | Visible light | Infrared (MWIR & LWIR) |
| Nighttime Functionality | Limited | Effective |
| Cloud Penetration | Limited | Enhanced |
| Temperature Detection | No | Yes (with high precision) |
| Applications | Visual mapping | Climate, agriculture, urban planning |
Satleo’s Contribution
At Satleo, we are at the forefront of harnessing this intelligence for practical applications. Our constellation of microsatellites is equipped with advanced thermal sensors capable of detecting temperature variations with 1° Kelvin accuracy.
By integrating edge computing and artificial intelligence, we process data onboard the satellites, ensuring rapid delivery of actionable insights. This real-time data supports various sectors:
- Climate Monitoring: Tracking temperature trends to inform policy and adaptation strategies.
- Agricultural Management: Providing farmers with precise data to optimize irrigation and improve crop health.
- Urban Planning: Assisting city planners in designing infrastructure that mitigates heat accumulation.
The Future of Thermal Intelligence
As climate change continues to pose global challenges, the role of thermal intelligence will become increasingly vital. The integration of thermal data into various sectors promises to enhance our ability to respond to environmental changes proactively.
Emerging technologies, such as hyperspectral imaging and machine learning, will further refine the accuracy and applicability of thermal intelligence, opening new avenues for research and development.
Conclusion
Thermal intelligence represents a transformative approach to understanding and managing Earth’s dynamic systems. By capturing and analyzing temperature data from space, we gain unprecedented insights into climate patterns, agricultural needs, and urban heat dynamics.
At Satleo, we are committed to advancing thermal intelligence technologies to support sustainable development and resilience in the face of climate change. As we continue to innovate, we invite stakeholders across sectors to explore the potential of thermal intelligence in shaping a more informed and responsive world.