ImageSat International has announced an expansion of its RUNNER satellite capabilities, adding continuous, real-time movement detection and analysis from orbit across day and night.
The company said the update is designed to support defence and intelligence organisations seeking near-continuous tracking of moving objects, including during low-light conditions that have traditionally limited optical satellite collection.
According to ImageSat, the capability uses onboard AI and embedded processing to autonomously detect, classify and characterise movement patterns in orbit, including vehicles and other moving targets across wide areas and high-traffic environments such as cities.
ImageSat said the nighttime performance is enabled by an optical system design intended to capture sufficient photon data in low-light conditions, combined with algorithms and AI-driven processing to analyse movement from video captured at night.
The company also said RUNNER performs automated image exploitation onboard, converting raw imagery into intelligence products in orbit and transmitting processed outputs rather than full datasets. ImageSat said this approach is intended to reduce bandwidth requirements and speed delivery to users.
“RUNNER is redefining the role of satellites in operational intelligence,” said Noam Segal, CEO of ISI. “The ability to detect and analyze movement persistently from orbit, across day and night, and deliver actionable intelligence in real time, fundamentally changes what defense and intelligence organizations can expect from space-based assets.”
The announcement comes as defence and intelligence agencies increase demand for persistent surveillance and faster dissemination of satellite-derived intelligence, alongside a broader industry shift toward edge processing in space to reduce reliance on downlink capacity and ground-based analysis.
