
Craft Prospect has completed SALIENT, a 9-month technology development project funded by the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI).
Working with close partner and experienced space camera developer XCAM, we have delivered a prototype for the successor to our pioneering Forwards Looking Imager (aka, the FLI), an AI-powered camera system to enable real-time operational decision making in small satellite missions. This successor, the Context Imager, improves on the FLI in several ways, providing a low-SWaP, high-quality Earth observation camera with an integrated AI processor.
Satellite missions suffer greatly from poor decision-making latency, where data collected by the satellite is downlinked to the ground and used by ground operators to make decisions on mission activities, whereafter these decisions are actioned upon the satellite. The Context Imager is able to sense and understand data acquired by its imager and deliver this information to the onboard computer in an actionable format, significantly reducing operational latencies in the mission.

Applications of the Context Imager include responsive cloud-sensitive tasking (i.e. of payloads, ADCS and optical transmitters), detection of features of interest (such as wildfires, floods or areas at risk of these) for near-real-time alerting, and fusion of image and thematic map data with other payload and sensor outputs.
The Context Imager can also be used for non-Earth imaging activities such as astronomy and orbital object tracking, enabling applications such as space traffic management, rendezvous and proximity operations, and in-orbit servicing and manufacture.
Under the SALIENT project, the Context Imager has been tested in real-time simulation, validating its operational concept and key performance metrics including ML model accuracy, decision-making latency and power consumption.
The next step for the system is to finalise its design for integration into Craft Prospect's OPS-SAT VOLT mission (part of ESA’s ARTES programme). Mechanical and optical design work for the system is in its final stages and the VOLT test campaign will see the payload verified to TRL8. Upon launch in 2026, the VOLT mission will showcase the Context Imager's benefits to hyperspectral imaging, optical communications links and Earth observation.
Murray Ireland, Head of Engineering at Craft Prospect, said of the project, “Our next-generation Context Imager will fulfil twin roles as an intelligent context sensor and a high-quality imaging payload for Earth observation and space domain awareness applications. The upcoming flight on our VOLT mission will demonstrate both of these use cases and showcase the value of responsive onboard operations for satellite missions.”
Karen Holland, CEO of XCAM said, “It has been a delight to work with Craft Prospect on the development of the Context Imager with the provision of a NuSCIS imager. We look forward to its demonstration on OPS-SAT VOLT and to continue to support them in future business and development opportunities.”
XCAM designs and manufactures highly specialised complex digital camera systems for challenging scientific, industrial, environmental and space applications. They are one of only a few companies in the world to offer complete bespoke imaging sensor camera solutions. With over 25 years of background in the scientific and industrial imaging market, award-winning XCAM have a worldwide reputation for their ability, reputation, expertise, and outstanding knowledge in their field.
Craft Prospect Ltd was founded in 2017 to address identified challenges and opportunities in the NewSpace industry, using state-of-the-art crossover technologies including AI and quantum cryptography. They have developed several products to deliver these technologies into space systems and combine these products with an experienced mission architecture and system engineering approach, allowing optimal and holistic use of these technologies in modern satellite missions.