LatConnect60 investment round: AUKUS HiRes SWIR Satellite constellation (spacenews.com)

LatConnect 60 (LC60), an Australian Earth observation and AI company, has announced an ongoing growth investment round to develop a cutting-edge Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) satellite constellation, projected to be the highest resolution globally. This constellation aims to enhance dual-use applications and build a persistent, high-resolution Earth intelligence layer that can achieve sub-1 metre resolution. The project has already garnered significant support from the Australian Space Agency and the Western Australian Government, with plans to expand from an initial two satellites to an 18-satellite constellation, ultimately reaching a goal of 100 satellites by 2035. This investment is significant for the AI and machine learning community as it promises to transform SWIR capabilities into reliable, data-rich sources for various sectors, including agriculture, sustainability, and national security. The unique attributes of SWIR technology allow for the detection of subtleties in material, moisture, and surface conditions that are often invisible in standard imagery. These advancements could improve agricultural monitoring, enhance environmental sustainability, and bolster maritime domain awareness, all while aligning with strategic defense objectives, including the AUKUS alliance’s focus on advanced capabilities and sovereignty in space operations. LC60’s approach emphasizes a vertically integrated architecture that combines satellite data collection with AI-driven analytics, ensuring timely and actionable insights across multiple applications.