Earth Orbits

HEO

Our Eyes for our Planet

HEO (Hawk for Earth Observation) is the constellation developed by Argotec as part of the IRIDE program, the largest Earth observation mega constellation in Europe.

Designed as a new generation of the award-winning HAWK platform, the satellites of the HEO constellation bring state-of-the-art space technology "Made in Argotec" to serve our planet, its future and that of generations to come.

HEO, the Earth Observation
constellation by Argotec,
continuously monitors our
planet with its satellite
infrastructure.

The HEO constellation can monitor climate change and its effects in near real time, including soil erosion, deforestation, and ice melting. It can also provide timely warnings to prevent damage from natural disasters such as avalanches, floods, and earthquakes.

In addition, HEO's technological solutions and compact size offer significant potential for commercial development and promise to be a game-changer in sectors such as precision agriculture, oil and energy, insurance, logistics, and much more.

The HEO constellation, part of the IRIDE program, is in orbit and fully operational.

COASTAL & MARINE
MONITORING

GROUND
MOTION

EMERGENCIES

AIR
QUALITY

WATER RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT

HYDRO-METEOROLOGY &
CLIMATE

LAND
USE

SECURITY

The HEO constellation represents a new generation of compact, modular platforms designed for multiple applications while ensuring consistent and reliable performance.

With a mass of approximately 70 kg, the satellites integrate multispectral optical sensors capable of capturing imagery across multiple wavelengths, with a resolution of up to 2.6 meters per pixel - combining small size with high performance and data quality.

The satellites feature advanced on-board processing capabilities enabled by high computational power and dedicated algorithms, allowing them to capture, process, and analyze critical information directly in orbit.

Thanks to these capabilities, the HEO constellation ensures operational flexibility and rapid data management. To date, it has captured over 1,700 images, generating more than 3,000 GB of data and covering approximately 9 million km² (over 30 times the surface of Italy).

The HEO satellites are part of the HAWK platform, designed as an industrialized and modular platform that is highly reliable, quick to deploy, and customizable according to mission objectives. The platform can also be integrated with previously validated payloads, ensuring flexibility and reduced development risk.

These features enabled Argotec to bring HEO Pathfinder - the first satellite of the IRIDE constellation - into orbit in just 18 months.

The satellites were designed and manufactured at Argotec’s SpacePark in Turin by a team of highly specialized professionals.

HEO Constellation, part of the IRIDE program, an Earth observation program initiated by the Italian government, funded by PNRR funds, and developed by the European Space Agency in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency.

About the IRIDE constellation. The IRIDE constellation is a programme of the European Union
–Next GenerationEU funded by the Presidency of the Council of Ministries of the Italian Republic, pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 254, of the Italian Law 160/2019’ and ‘Funded by the Presidency of the Council of Ministries from the Complementary Fund carried out under an ESA Contract for the purposes of EO PNRR IRIDE PROGRAMME.

Disclaimer. Views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion the European Union/European Commission/ESA/Presidency of Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic. Views and opinion expressed are those of the author(s) only and the European Union/ European Commission/ESA/Presidency of Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.