South Korea’s SI Imaging Services is revolutionizing satellite access with a novel leasing program for its newly launched SpaceEye-T satellite. This initiative, described by Eugene Kim, executive vice president for Satrec Initiative (SI Imaging Services’ parent company), as “Airbnb for remote-sensing satellites,” offers unprecedented customer control.
Launched in March via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission, the 650-kilogram SpaceEye-T satellite boasts 25-centimeter per pixel resolution. Currently undergoing calibration and validation, the satellite will be available for customer tasking via an application program interface (API) starting in August. Leasing services will commence in October, Kim confirmed at the GEOINT Symposium 2025. SI Imaging Services emphasizes robust security features, stating on Instagram, “With end-to-end encryption & automated data deletion, even SI Imaging Services cannot access your tasking records.”
The company’s ambitious plans extend beyond SpaceEye-T. Further high-resolution satellites are scheduled for launch in 2027 and 2028, expanding the SpaceEye constellation. While primarily targeting defense and intelligence clients, Kim highlighted promising applications in precision agriculture, urban planning, and disaster monitoring. Satrec Initiative, a member of South Korea’s Hanwha Group, manufactures the SpaceEye satellites, while SI Imaging Services manages operations and sales.