UK Earth observation company SatVu has appointed two senior executives to expand commercial operations following the launch and deployment of its HotSat-2 thermal imaging satellite.
Hanna Steplewska has joined as vice president of sales, with previous senior roles at Space Imaging, GeoEye and DigitalGlobe. SatVu said Steplewska has experience scaling satellite remote-sensing operations across commercial, government and defence customers.
Matthew Harrison has been appointed vice president of US operations and programs. SatVu said Harrison’s career has focused on applying space capabilities to operational requirements for national security and defence customers, and that he has held roles at Skyline Software, Woolpert and Pixxel.
The company said the hires come as HotSat-2 begins delivering data, with SatVu supplying thermal activity intelligence to customers in sovereign defence, economic intelligence and climate resilience. SatVu said HotSat-3 is scheduled to join the constellation later this year as it builds toward an eight-satellite fleet.
Anthony Baker, CEO of SatVu, said: “With HotSat-2 now operational, our focus is firmly on delivering our unique activity intelligence to customers all around the world. Hanna and Matt bring the experience we need to build meaningful relationships with customers who are looking for activity data to support decisions.”
SatVu said thermal imaging can reveal heat signatures that are not visible to optical and radar-based Earth observation systems, with potential applications in infrastructure monitoring, economic activity analysis and national security.
The company said it is continuing plans for a constellation of eight or more satellites, aiming to increase revisit rates as additional spacecraft are launched.
SatVu also cited a US$30 million funding round, which it said has supported satellite deployment, data infrastructure expansion and commercial growth, and said it is preparing for a next investment phase.
Baker added: “Everything we are doing is about moving our customers closer to what is actually happening on the ground. With additional satellites, enhanced delivery capabilities and the right team in place, we are building a service that becomes essential to how organisations make critical decisions.”
SatVu said Steplewska and Harrison will attend the USGIF GEOINT Symposium 2026 in Denver.
