Edmonton-based space startup Wyvern has received an initial $155,000 to create a feasibility study for Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) on how satellite-based hyperspectral imaging could benefit Canadian defence.
DRDC put out an expansive request for “science and technology proposals in support of Canada’s defence, security and safety” in a 2019 RFP. Wyvern bid on one component of the RFP regarding “shaping future space-based hyper-spectral technology demonstration missions,” and DRDC announced the success of Wyvern’s proposal in November of 2020.
“Hyperspectral imaging” is a cutting-edge imaging technique that allows computer-aided cameras to capture immense amounts of data by measuring the full spectrum of light (including ultraviolet and infrared light) being reflected or emitted by visible objects. By capturing the full light data for each tiny pixel, instead of a single colour, hyperspectral remote sensing platforms can be used to spot tiny variations that indicate everything from the health and ripeness of a crop, to the composition of a particular ore deposit, to wilderness search and rescue.
Wyvern is a growing space startup with a focus on producing low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites for hyperspectral remote sensing. They intend to build sets of comparatively small and inexpensive CubeSats to collect and transmit the hyperspectral imaging data, and propose to provide the data to DRDC. The $155,000 covers the cost of producing the proposal, with additional funding if the study is chosen by DRDC for further development.
In an interview with SpaceQ, Wyvern CTO Kurtis Broda explained their approach. “Most of the founders have experience launching CubeSats,” he said, adding “if we could build a unique payload that does hyperspectral imaging, the rest of the parts could be off-the-shelf.” Wyvern’s founders had worked together as students on AlbertaSat’s Ex-Alta 1 satellite, and Broda said that they decided to start the business after realizing that “if students can launch satellites, something has changed in the space industry.”
After graduating from the Creative Destruction Lab’s (CDL) space stream the company is expanding their team from four people to ten and are working to perfect and patent their satellites’ imaging payload. While much of the custom technology is still confidential, Broda did say that it would “enable an optical telescope to unfold in space, allowing us to deliver higher quality images of Earth from more affordable satellites.”
Broda sees a market that is already interested in the data that Wyvern would provide. He pointed to the immense demand for hyperspectral imaging data from the agricultural data analysis companies, and has already received (confidential) expressions of interest. Wyvern has also had good interactions with both Canadian and international defence officials, Broda said, and DRDC has been especially supportive and “genuinely interested in working with startups.”
So whether DRDC moves forward or not, Wyvern is aiming to have three satellites in orbit by the end of 2022. Broda said that they would be comparatively simple, using as many off-the-shelf parts as possible, and that while they’re developing the instrument themselves, they’ll be working with another company on assembly and integration. The collaboration will help get their satellites launched and generating useful data as quickly as possible. That data would prove Wyvern’s viability to potential private and institutional customers, and give them the space and time they need to create more advanced instrumentation, payloads and satellites.
This all depends on fundraising, though. Broda said that the money from DRDC, and from their grants by a number of different governmental institutions including NRC-IRAP and the Government of Alberta’s Green Stem program, has definitely helped Wyvern. Wyvern needs to grow, however, and is working on an equity financing round right now to make it happen.
Broda admitted that the round has been a “learning experience”, but that they’ve been receiving interest. He said that the round should be concluded in “around five months,” and expects they’ll secure enough equity financing this year that they’ll be able to succeed in getting their first set of satellites launched on time in 2022.
Broda is aware that there’s competition in the LEO-based hyperspectral remote sensing space, including their fellow CDL graduates at India-based Pixxel. A major institutional client like DRDC would help stabilize their situation. Broda is confident though. He believes that their data-focused approach will help supply the growing number of data-hungry analytics companies in sectors like agriculture, and that “being good at selling the data is the best business model.”
Broda said that DRDC had told them they will decide on which bids will move forward this April, but could share no further details.