The IPERLITE mission is an in-orbit demonstration (IOD) flight designed to demonstrate next-generation hyperspectral imaging technology in space from an orbit of 510 km.
Rather than serving as an operational satellite, IPERLITE acts as a testbed – visiting agricultural sites and collecting spectral data to assess the performance of its innovative payload under real orbital conditions.
IPERLITE contributes to a growing wave of compact hyperspectral missions that aim to democratize access to spectral data, complementing larger institutional programs like CHIME and SBG, and paving the way for future constellations.
Satellite characteristics
Launch Date - End 28 November 2025 - 31 December 2030
Status Operational
Orbit type Sun-synchronous Polar Orbit
Altitude 510
Orbit inclination 98°
Orbit period 94.8 minutes
At the mission's core is a hyperspectral imager based on a 4096×3072 CMOS detector with 154 thin-film interference filters, covering a spectral range from 475 to 900 nm with a 5 nm spectral resolution. The instrument integrates a compact Three-Mirror Anastigmat (TMA) telescope (focal length 135 mm), achieving a strong performance for a small-satellite system.
To boost image quality, IPERLITE uses digital Time Delay Integration (TDI) with up to 12 accumulation stages, significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The system supports advanced imaging modes, including combined panchromatic-hyperspectral acquisition for enhanced sharpness and spatial detail. Its powerful onboard electronics can process 25.4 Gbps of data, producing high-quality imagery at rates up to 360 frames per second, with a daily downlink capacity of 18.75 GB, equivalent to 17,500 km² of hyperspectral coverage per day.