L3Harris begins building Xoople's 14-satellite Earth-observation constellation
L3Harris Technologies · Xoople
L3Harris has started building the first satellites for Xoople's AI-focused Earth-observation constellation, targeting first launch in 2028.
what happened
L3Harris Technologies has begun building the first Earth-observation satellites for partner Xoople, per Aviation Week, which reports the first phase comprises 14 large low-Earth-orbit spacecraft with the first due to launch in 2028. Carolyn Cossavella, L3Harris' executive general manager for exquisite imaging systems, said the program is in the "component-buildup phase" as it ramps toward integration. Xoople CEO Fabrizio Pirondini said the partners have secured launch slots with multiple providers, without naming them. The satellites are designed to deliver continuous change-detection measurements fused with Xoople's AI system rather than imagery for human analysts. Xoople and L3Harris announced the partnership in April 2026 after several years of stealth-mode development.
why it matters
L3Harris is building bespoke EO hardware for an AI-data startup rather than selling imagery through its own pipeline, a different commercial model than the imagery-reseller approach used by Planet, BlackSky and Vantor. A 14-satellite constellation reaching orbit in 2028 would add a new AI-native data supplier competing for the same defense and commercial analytics customers once it is operational, though the program remains in early hardware buildup with no contract value disclosed.
signal-to-noise
quick facts
- Companies
- L3Harris Technologies, Xoople
- Category
- constellation
- Impact
- notable
- SNR
- 3 / 5
- Event date
- 2026-09-16
- Published
- 2026-09-18 21:25 UTC