Telepix's Navigation Camera Validated After One Year in Space... Proves Technology Reliability

Successful Recognition of Stars and Satellite Attitude Estimation in Actual Orbit
Secured Core Deep Space Optical Navigation Technology


Proven Long-term Space Operation Capability
Laying the Groundwork for Mass-Produced Navigation Modules and Global Market Expansion

Telepix, a space AI company, has demonstrated the long-term operational performance of its independently developed space situational awareness camera. Since its launch in June last year, the camera has operated stably for over a year in the actual space environment, successfully estimating satellite attitude using stars and thereby securing the reliability of a core deep space optical navigation technology.

Telepix announced on August 3 that it had succeeded in accurately estimating satellite attitude in the real space environment using footage captured by its space situational awareness camera launched last year.

Satellite attitude estimation results through imaging videos from a space situational awareness camera developed by Telepix. Provided by Telepix

This camera is a deep space navigation device co-developed by Telepix and LK Samyang. By combining a wide-angle camera with an image processing algorithm, optical navigation technology was implemented to calculate a satellite's position and attitude based on the stars and planets photographed in space.

Since its launch, the camera has been carrying out its imaging mission stably for more than a year, consistently acquiring high-quality images capable of recognizing stars in the real space environment. In recent tests, the core function of identifying stars by comparing the captured images to a star catalog and then estimating the satellite’s attitude based on that data was confirmed to operate correctly. The attitude and angular velocity calculated from stellar observations also matched the values measured by the satellite itself.

In footage captured in April this year, it was confirmed that stars could still be recognized even under conditions where very bright celestial bodies like the moon entered the field of view, partially saturating the image. The company explained that this result demonstrates the applicability of image-based optical navigation technology under a variety of observation conditions, such as during deep space exploration or space surveillance missions.

Image of the moon and surrounding stars captured with the space situational awareness camera developed by Telepix. Provided by Telepix

This achievement is also significant as it proves that a camera using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components can reliably deliver core functionality in the real space environment for over a year. While reducing development costs and timelines, Telepix has also established technology reliability in orbit, laying the groundwork for the commercialization of mass-produced space situational awareness cameras and deep space optical navigation modules.

Dongwook Ko, Vice President and Head of Satellite Development at Telepix, said, "Through actual space operations over the past year, we have proven the technological value of our space situational awareness and optical navigation modules," adding, "A track record of long-term orbital operation will be a major competitive edge in both mass production and global business expansion."

Telepix is a space AI company that develops satellite camera systems, Earth observation data analysis solutions, and AI-based analytic platforms in-house. In addition to its space situational awareness camera, Telepix has developed and operates the TetraFlex AI on-board processor for satellites and the Bluebon AI CubeSat. The company is further expanding its global business, having recently signed export contracts in European and U.S. markets.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.