SmartIR has successfully completed three space missions, each advancing the performance and reliability of our graphene-based smart radiator. These missions have demonstrated the technology’s effectiveness in real orbital conditions, significantly increasing its Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and bringing us closer to flight-qualified thermal control solutions for next-generation satellites.
1 May 2023
Mission 1- Balloon Mission
Today marks a defining moment in SmartIR’s journey. In collaboration with the incredible team at Sent Into Space, we successfully launched our first space mission, taking our smart radiator technology beyond Earth’s boundaries and into the Stratosphere.
Despite last-minute technical challenges, the unwavering dedication, ingenuity, and teamwork between both groups made this ground-breaking achievement possible. Our adaptive thermal tiles were put to the test in near-space conditions, demonstrating the potential of SmartIR’s technology for future satellite and aerospace applications.
Mission 1 is more than a milestone—it’s the beginning of an extraordinary journey into the cosmos, powered by innovation, passion, and collaboration.
14 January 2025
Mission 2.0 First In-Orbit Demonstration
SmartIR has officially launched its first satellite into space aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission, carried by the Falcon 9 rocket. This mission represents a pivotal step in addressing a critical challenge in the space industry: the need for lightweight, energy-efficient, and scalable thermal management solutions.
In Low Earth Orbit (LEO), many satellites rely on heaters to maintain operational temperatures, increasing power demands. In contrast, long-duration missions often depend on bulky, mechanical systems like thermal louvres. SmartIR’s graphene-based smart radiator introduces a paradigm shift—offering a flexible, lightweight, and dynamic system capable of intelligently managing heat in space.
Our technology allows satellites to turnoff heat from surfaces while in Earth’s shadow, and to reflect the sunlight on the sun-facing side during exposure, greatly enhancing energy efficiency.
The radiator has been integrated into a pico-satellite manufactured by Hydra Space, with Alba Orbital overseeing integration and mission operations. Deployed into LEO, the satellite will test the radiator’s performance under real orbital conditions, assessing its survivability during launch, thermal control capability, and operational efficiency in duty cycles representative of future satellite missions.
This mission is not only a technical milestone but a bold step toward transforming how spacecraft manage heat in the harsh environment of space.
14 March 2025
Mission 2.1 Second In-Orbit Demonstration March 2025
Following the success of our first space mission, SmartIR has launched its second in-orbit experiment—Mission 2.1—aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission on the Falcon 9 rocket. This launch marks another key milestone in our mission to revolutionize thermal control systems for space applications.
Mission 2.1 is focused on testing our next-generation smart radiator design, featuring mechanical and performance enhancements based on insights from Mission 1. In addition, this mission debuts SmartIR’s new solar-reflective infrared coating, engineered to further optimize thermal regulation by reflecting solar radiation while maintaining adaptive emissivity in the infrared spectrum.
Together, these advancements aim to push the boundaries of lightweight, dynamic thermal control, offering scalable solutions for small satellites, deep space missions, and human-centric space systems.
Stay tuned as we collect and analyze in-orbit data from Mission 2.1, bringing us one step closer to redefining how satellites manage heat in space.
