TAMPA, Fla. - Japan’s IHI is considering adding next-generation hyperspectral satellites from Finnish startup Kuva Space to its planned 100-strong, multi-sensor sovereign Earth observation constellation. Because apparently, launching a mere handful of satellites is so 2023.

The companies announced a memorandum of understanding July 21 to explore building and operating Kuva’s Hyperfield-2 satellites in Japan, including potentially manufacturing them in the country. The agreement envisages orders from the Japanese aerospace manufacturer in 2027, when Kuva also plans to demonstrate the 70-kilogram microsatellite in orbit for the first time, after deploying two 12-kilogram Hyperfield-1 cubesats over the past two years.

“A secure and resilient space capability is increasingly important for Japan’s national security,” said Atsushi Sato, president of IHI’s aero-engine, space and defense business, in a statement that could have been uttered by any aerospace executive since Sputnik. “Hyperspectral satellite data can provide insights that conventional imagery cannot, supporting both security and wider dual-use applications.”

Hyperfield-2 would extend Kuva’s sensors into short-wave infrared, improving the constellation’s ability to identify and distinguish materials by their spectral fingerprints. Under the agreement, IHI is assessing the capability to detect vessels that are not broadcasting Automatic Identification System signals, potentially to conceal their location or activities, as well as mapping changes in land cover and use. So, basically, a space-based snitch for ships trying to be sneaky.

According to Kuva, around 20 Hyperfield-2 satellites would be enough to provide daily coverage of about 20 million square kilometers across Japan, neighboring countries and surrounding ocean areas. The Finnish venture ultimately plans to deploy 100 satellites by the end of 2030, which it says could provide sub-daily monitoring across East Asia. IHI would receive coverage in proportion to the number of satellites it procures, Kuva said, while benefiting from the revisit performance of the wider constellation.

The Japanese group, which deployed a hyperspectral demonstrator last year that was built by Lithuania’s Kongsberg NanoAvionics, has been evaluating data and analytics from Kuva’s Hyperfield-1 spacecraft since November. Last year, IHI ordered an initial four synthetic aperture radar satellites from Iceye, following a similar agreement with the Finnish company for the Earth observation constellation. Two of those initial satellites, part of a contract that includes an option to procure 20 more, are planned to be assembled and tested in Japan.

British thermal imaging operator SatVu and satellite maker Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) have also partnered with IHI to explore contributing to the broader constellation. IHI’s initial plan also calls for optical and radio-frequency payloads, as well as VDES, a ship-to-shore communications system that uses very high frequencies. Because what’s a constellation without a little bit of everything?