Thermal imagery satellites and the CCC
On 13 June the successful launch of the HOTSAT-1 satellite was reported by the SatVu company (SatVu, 2023a). It was described as the first of eight planned satellites which because of their “unique thermal imaging capabilities” would provide a “valuable and unique insight into economic activity and energy efficiency for a range of industries aligning with global Net Zero goals.” During February of the previous year Alex Conacher (2022) wrote that “British satellite company Satellite Vu has signed a deal with SpaceX to launch its satellites into low earth orbit in early 2023. The company’s satellites collect thermal data of the built and natural environment and are capable of measuring the heat signature of a building several times per day.” Prior to the launch SatVu explained that the “pioneering space technology” had already been deployed in a UK test flight which showed its potential to map heat loss from houses, identifying “buildings most in need of retrofitting action.