Hotsat, Revisited

Forest Olson
Jan 7
2 min read

Updated: Jan 15

In 2023 a British tech company, SatVu built a satellite, called Hotsat-1, that measures heat radiating off buildings to determine whether they are energy efficient. We wrote about that in 06.23, and now we're revisiting it.

CLIMATE NEWS MEDIA 53.006.1

This piece is part of our Throwback Series, where we revisit early CNM articles and rebuild them with new reporting, new context, and a clearer understanding of the climate story.

Hotsat-1 was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, in June 2023. The satellite is capable of transmitting the data it gathers back to Earth in near real-time. In addition to monitoring heat loss from structures around the globe, the satellite can detect faults in solar farms. As of this writing, Hotsat-2 is prepared for shipment, and a third satellite is in the works. In our original article, we noted that the Hotsat program was intended to consist of 7 satellites; however, the mission has since expanded to include 9.

An illustration of Hotsat-1 orbiting above Earth. — An illustration of Hotsat-1 orbiting above the Earth.

Hotsat has 3.5 m resolution, and can take thermal images and short videos day and night. This technology has many different applications, and so much about the energy efficiency of a certain area can be determined from just one image. This is deceivingly important in the climate crisis.

From the original article

According to the World Green Building Council “buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions: 28% from operational emissions, from energy needed to heat, cool and power them, and the remaining 11% from materials and construction.”

Data collected since the launch of Hotsat-1 is very promising. The satellite is doing exactly what it was made for, creating heat maps, so we can analyze them. Additionally, SatVu is committing to making their data in 2026 accessible for everyone.

SatVu is doing this through contracts with organizations like NATO and ESA. SatVu was even listed on TIME's World Top Greentech Companies 2025. On a personal note, I admire SatVu's commitment to using their one-of-a-kind data to make the world a better place, especially in a time when climate statistics are becoming more private and hidden than ever.

As mentioned in the original article, similar missions have been conducted by NASA, but not quite like Hotsat. NASA uses their satellites to monitor the Earth's climate, especially weather patterns, water cycles and ice melt.

From the original article

"We are in the midst of an exciting era of space exploration, and these satellite technologies are at the intersection of space science and climate action."

If this story meant something to you, consider supporting CNM.

Even the cost of a coffee helps create another independent, ad‑free article for anyone in the world to read. Your support keeps this work alive.

Donate to Climate News Media