KP Labs and Simera Sense join forces to deliver integrated AI-powered optical payloads for future space missions

12 August 2025

SALT LAKE CITY, August 12, 2025 – KP Labs and Simera Sense have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the 39th Annual Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The agreement formalizes a growing collaboration between the two companies, whose complementary technologies — optical payloads and onboard data processing — can support upcoming Earth observation and planetary exploration missions.

The MoU aims to establish a foundation for closer collaboration between Simera Sense and KP Labs, based on shared goals and complementary capabilities. This alignment opens the door to joint deployments where mission-ready components from both partners can be combined into compact, intelligent payloads with minimal integration overhead. By bringing together advanced optical sensing and in-orbit AI processing, both companies aim to accelerate the delivery of smarter small satellite missions.

The growing demand for real-time insights from space puts increasing pressure on downlink capacity and mission latency. By processing data directly in orbit, satellite operators can make faster decisions, reduce costs, and send back only the most valuable information. This combined solution is particularly relevant for applications such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, urban analytics, and planetary science — domains where both autonomy and data quality are essential.

“This agreement marks a natural step in the evolution of our collaboration with Simera Sense. By combining proven, flight-ready technologies, we’re offering a shortcut to mission teams who want to deploy optical-AI solutions without building everything from scratch.”

said Michał Zachara, COO at KP Labs.

A concrete example of this collaboration is the upcoming OPS-SAT VOLT mission led by Craft Prospect in partnership with ESA. For the first time, KP Labs and Simera Sense will fly together as an integrated payload: Simera Sense will deliver the HyperScape100, a high-performance multispectral camera, while KP Labs will provide the Leopard Data Processing Unit (DPU) running AI-based algorithms directly onboard. Craft Prospect are the pioneers behind the satellite mission, which will serve as a demonstrator for reconfigurable optical and processing systems on a CubeSat platform. With the mission due for launch in mid 2026, OPS-SAT VOLT represents the first formal instance of the partnership in action, highlighting how both technologies can operate jointly to capture and process data autonomously in orbit.

Speaking about the collaboration, Dr. Hina Khan, Head of Commercial at Craft Prospect said:

“Craft Prospect is pleased to see the development of the relationship between KP Labs and Simera Sense through the initial discussions on the OPS-SAT VOLT mission, which will demonstrate both partners capabilities for on board processing and optical observations on a small satellite platform.” About what lies ahead, she added: “The mission launch, planned for mid-2026, will provide valuable flight heritage on the integrated payload and help develop further mission opportunities. We look forward to working with KP Labs and Simera Sense in the future.”

The collaboration also underscores a broader shift in how small satellite missions are being built, favoring modular, interoperable components that can be integrated efficiently without bespoke engineering. KP Labs and Simera Sense are already working together on future mission concepts and are in discussions with partners looking to deploy intelligent optical payloads across various orbital platforms.

“Simera Sense sees this collaboration with KP Labs as an essential step in enabling responsive EO missions with smaller satellites in the European landscape. For Simera Sense, providing our customers with a strategic advantage with near-real-time space-based intelligence is crucial"

said Thys Cronje, CCO of Simera Sense.

The integrated payload will be demonstrated at selected events in late 2025, highlighting how mission-ready sensors and onboard computing units can deliver meaningful results without ground intervention. This partnership is expected to serve as a foundation for future collaborations across both institutional and commercial missions.

Media Contacts
Julia Wisniowska
Head of Marketing, KP Labs
jwisniowska@kplabs.pl
+48 530 523 011

Leon van Heerden
Marketing Manager, Simera Sense
leon.vanHeerden@simera.com
+27 21 852 6450

About KP Labs
KP Labs accelerates space exploration through autonomous missions and robotics. The company develops integrated solutions combining hardware, software, and data processing algorithms. KP Labs is currently participating in nine space missions and has completed over 35 R&D projects for the European Space Agency, NASA, and private sector clients. The company employs around 85 specialists and has the status of a Research and Development Center granted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. In November 2024, KP Labs was awarded the President of the Republic of Poland Prize in the 'SME Leader' category.
https://www.kplabs.space/

About Simera Sense
Simera Sense is a leading provider of optical payloads and data analytics solutions for satellite Earth observation. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, the company serves the medium- to high-resolution optical needs of more than 50 clients worldwide. Our ability to design and produce standardized optical payloads is revolutionizing Earth observation with smaller satellites.
https://simera-sense.com/