Following a June bombing of Iran's Fordow nuclear fuel enrichment plant by US armed forces, Orbital Sidekick (OSK) utilized its hyperspectral sensors to uncover significant new details regarding the extent of the damage. OSK's Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellite (GHOSt) constellation identified a rectangular subsurface structure, suggesting “the potential collapse or damage of the underground facility,” as detailed in an OSK white paper.
Analysis of the imagery also revealed the spectral signature of concrete near suspected bomb penetration points. “The ability to detect and identify damaged structures or chemical releases from a satellite 500-kilometers away provides a crucial advantage,” Dan Katz, OSK CEO and co-founder, explained in an email to SpaceNews. He emphasized that airspace restrictions make traditional methods of data gathering, such as using aircraft or drones, exceptionally difficult, making space-based sensors “the only viable option” for this type of “critical intelligence gathering.”
While hyperspectral sensors have long been promoted for uses in agriculture, mining, and land-use monitoring, this instance highlights the potential for damage assessment. As Katz noted, “In the case of Fordow Mountain, OSK has revealed a symmetrical structural component, possibly as a result of damage by the US strike, that was previously not observed in standard electro-optical imagery.”
Looking ahead, Katz envisions broader applications for hyperspectral imagery in detecting “unplanned or inadvertent chemical spills or releases that result from damage to storage areas or pipelines caused by human interventions or natural phenomena such as earthquakes or hurricanes.” He provided examples such as “detecting and identifying oil on water or sand due to ruptured oil or fuel tanks after a natural disaster,” or “observing the extent of a fertilizer spill” following a train derailment.
Initial assessments after the June 22 bombing relied on electro-optical imagery from Maxar, which showed likely bomb entry points and grey material, presumed to be concrete. OSK's more detailed analysis identified three distinct types of construction concrete within that grey material. OSK's white paper concludes that the company is “actively engaged in similar projects within the Defense and Intelligence communities, as well as the mining and energy industries, leveraging our technology to address complex challenges from resource exploration to environmental monitoring.”