A stargazing satellite called Mauve has booked a flight onSpaceXsFalcon 9 rocket.
Mauve is the brainchild of British startupBlues Skies Space.
The London-based company has a unique plan for the satellite.
After launching into space in October 2025, Mauve will turn its onboard telescope towards the cosmos.
The 13cm equipment will then observe hundreds of stars in ultraviolet and visible wavelengths.
Scientists will scan the data for insights on stellar flares andmagnetic activity.
They could even unearth evidence that neighbouring exoplanets are habitable.But thats not what makes the plan unusual.
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This approach sets the startup apart from the prevailing model.
Space data problems
Traditionally, researchers rely on government agencies to access space data.
But the likes of NASA andESAcant keep up with the demand.
The James Webb Telescope, for instance, received 1,600 requests for observing time.
Only 249 of them were selected.
Blue Skies Space offers another route to the stars.
Marcell Tessenyi, the startups CEO and co-founder, has pledged to deliver in-demand data in accelerated timelines.
The insights will span thousands of hours each year, Tessenyi told TNW.
Scientists who join before the launch will also have a chance to direct Mauves observations.
Future flights
Mauvewill fly on Falcon 9 as part of the Transporter-15ride-share programme.
The satellite is the first in a fleet that Blue Skies Space is building.
Could EuropesAriane 6 rocketlaunch the startups next stargazer?
Tessenyi is keeping schtum.
In this instance, it turned out to be Transporter-15 for Mauve.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
