SatVu Adds Key Hires Following HotSat-2 Launch Success and Prepares for Growth
SatVu, the UK-based leader in high-resolution thermal intelligence from space has announced the appointments of Hanna Steplewska and Matthew Harrison to accelerate commercial operations following the successful launch of HotSat-2.
With HotSat-2 now in orbit and delivering data, SatVu is starting to supply activity information to customers across the globe in the sovereign defence, economic intelligence and climate resilience sectors. HotSat-3 will join the constellation later this year.
Hanna Steplewska joins the SatVu leadership team as Vice President of Sales and brings with her extensive experience of closing Earth Observation business, having held senior roles with Space Imaging, GeoEye and DigitalGlobe, as well as launch providers and space vehicle component manufacturers. Having worked with commercial, government and defence clients across six continents, Hanna has a deep understanding of scaling satellite remote sensing operations, product management and an unrelenting customer focus.
Most recently she was President, Chief Operating Officer and Board member of the AI SaaS constellation operations solution provider, Cognitive Space. Hanna's leadership will play a key role in expanding SatVu's customer base and ensuring high resolution thermal data product adoption in the market.
Matthew Harrison joins SatVu as Vice President of US Operations & Programs. In this role, he will operationalise the company’s engagement across the United States government and defence marketplaces, focusing on delivering SatVu’s thermal intelligence capabilities into mission-critical environments.
Matt brings deep experience at the intersection of national security and commercial space, with a track record of translating advanced technologies into operational solutions for defence and intelligence customers. His previous roles include VP and Director-level positions at Skyline Software, Woolpert and Pixxel. Matt will play a key role in building strong partnerships and scaling SatVu’s presence in the North American markets.
Anthony Baker, CEO of SatVu said: “With HotSat-2 now operational, our focus is firmly on delivering our unique activity intelligence to customers all around the world. Hanna and Matt bring the experience we need to build meaningful relationships with customers who are looking for activity data to support decisions.”
SatVu’s thermal imaging provides a unique layer of intelligence. By revealing activity through the detection of heat signatures, HotSat data provides insights into operational patterns that are invisible to optical and radar-based Earth observation systems. This capability is critical for monitoring the planet and infrastructure, understanding economic activity and supporting national security applications.
The company continues to advance its plans for a constellation of eight or more HotSat satellites. With each HotSat addition to the fleet, the constellation will increase revisit rates and further strengthen SatVu’s ability to deliver timely, decision-ready intelligence.
These developments follow hot on the heels of a US$30 million funding round which has allowed SatVu to accelerate satellite deployment, expand its data infrastructure, and grow its commercial footprint. The company is now preparing for its next phase of investment as it continues to scale its constellation and customer base.
“Everything we are doing is about moving our customers closer to what is actually happening on the ground,” added Anthony Baker. “With additional satellites, enhanced delivery capabilities and the right team in place, we are building a service that becomes essential to how organisations make critical decisions.”