GARAI Mission: Two Microsatellites Embarking Four Imagers for Multispectral Submetric Earth Observation Serving Critical Applications

GARAI Mission: Two Microsatellites Embarking Four Imagers for Multispectral Submetric Earth Observation Serving Critical Applications

Utah State University, Logan, UT

SATLANTIS MICROSATS SA and OHB Sweden are finalizing 2 micro satellites together under the project name GARAI, first launch scheduled in October 2024. This paper will present the current status of the High-Resolution Multispectral satellite and the services it will enable.

Each satellite will embark two binocular imagers from the iSIM family, iSIM-90 and iSIM-170, combining high resolution images and videos with swath values up to 13 km and multispectrality, with a total of 14 different filters split between the four optical channels covering SWIR spectra, VIS Polarimetry, and PAN + VNIR spectra.

The GARAI mission incorporates OHB Sweden's flight proven InnoSat micro satellite platform together with SATLANTIS iSIM technology. InnoSat has proven itself worthy in various missions from commercial (GMS-T, 2021, ADIS, 2025), scientific (MATS, 2022) to institutional (AWS,2024 and EIS, 2025). iSIM technology has been demonstrated through past missions such as IOD (2020), CASPR (2021), ARMSAT-1 (2022), MANTIS (2023), GEI-SAT (2023), HORACIO (2024).

The iSIM technology is based on diffraction-limited set of telescopes with high-precision, robust and light mechanical structure, high performance electronic control system and image processing unit including the proprietary Ultra High-Resolution algorithms for the maximization of spatial resolution, brightness, and contrast.

The GARAI satellites will weight around 100 kg including around 30 kg of payload and feature Earth Observation state of art technology such as:

- High data rate through a high-speed X-band link capable to downlink payload data at > 500 Mb/s.

- A high slew-rate mode for tracking of linear profiles such as borders, coastlines, or pipelines, resulting in maximum efficiency for data capture around the globe. This uses a Chebyshev polynomial based guidance mode accounting for the satellite agility where the onboard controller has been tuned for the particular use case and mission parameters. The guidance is generated with flight dynamics tools that transform the desired observable paths on earth into suitable actuation profiles on-board. The heritage onboard guidance block dates from OHB Sweden's ODIN satellite, launched in 2001 and still in operation after 23 years!

- High delta-V propulsion system for station keeping capabilities, collision avoidance and orbit transfer to accommodate a wide variety of mission profiles, and active atmospheric reentry.

- An optical bench with a vibration isolation solution and high thermal stability through its own dedicated thermal control system accommodating both payloads and star trackers minimizing thermoelastic misalignments for precise pointing and geolocation.

SATLANTIS will operate the satellite using its own Mission Control Center and Software integrated with the Mission Control Software "RAMSES" from OHB Sweden and will process the data at SATLANTIS Data-Hub. GARAI will serve a broad range of applications, from methane emissions detection (SWIR) of high accuracy through removal of aerosols (Polarimetry) with geolocation and quantification of the leaks simultaneous to visible observation of the scene (VNIR), to civil applications requiring high-resolution imagery and videos (VNIR) in combination with agile operations (high slew-rate and tracking of linear profiles) such as defense and security e.g., surveillance of critical infrastructure, borders, coasts, providing a leading market solution of Earth Observation satellites around 100 kg.