Satellogic’s Continuum-1 Completes Proximity Operations Around Derelict Rocket Body

Satellogic, the infrastructure company for Persistent Global Intelligence, has confirmed that its satellite, Continuum-1, successfully completed two extended proximity operations (RPO) periods around a derelict CZ-2C rocket body in low-Earth orbit. This mission, conducted in partnership with HEO and UNSW Canberra Space, marks a significant step in the company’s capabilities beyond its primary Earth observation mission.

Continuum-1, a satellite built by Satellogic and acquired by HEO in December 2025, was designed to image Earth from several hundred kilometers away. However, the satellite demonstrated remarkable flexibility by holding position within 27 kilometers of the target, enabling detailed inspection. During the first proximity period in August, the satellite maintained a position within 30 kilometers, providing images with a resolution of about 8 cm per pixel. In the second, closer period, the resolution improved to as sharp as 7 cm per pixel.

Gonzalo Castillo, Vice President of Product & Customer Success at Satellogic, commented on the satellite’s performance: "Continuum-1 was built to observe Earth from about 500 kilometers away. Getting it to hold a sharp picture of something 27 kilometers away, which meant re-tuning the optical payload and the software behind it, demonstrates the flexibility of our platform to also serve Space Domain Awareness applications."

The mission was part of a broader effort to enhance space domain awareness, a critical area for both military and civilian applications. The campaign was conducted in partnership with HEO, which selected the target and led mission planning, and UNSW Canberra Space, which supported maneuver planning and ground-based tracking. The funding came through Australia's Defence Trailblazer program.

This mission is a testament to Satellogic’s ability to adapt its satellite fleet to perform tasks outside their original design brief. The company’s platform can now support a range of applications, including the inspection of space debris and other objects in orbit. As more infrastructure moves into orbit, the software flexibility demonstrated by Continuum-1 will become increasingly important for sovereign missions.

Satellogic’s mission operations team played a crucial role in executing the RPO campaign. The company’s focus on continuous, proactive awareness of the places, assets, and activities that matter underscores its commitment to providing persistent monitoring capabilities to its customers. Satellogic serves a variety of markets, including allied defense and intelligence agencies, civil governments, and commercial entities that require reliable, scalable awareness of change across large portfolios of sites.

The successful completion of this mission highlights the potential for Satellogic’s managed sovereign missions and its ability to leverage its satellite software for diverse applications. As the space domain becomes more crowded, the ability to reprogram and repurpose satellites for new tasks will be a critical capability.