Esperoko

Esperoko is the flagship hyperspectral imaging payoad being developed by Esper Satellite Imagery. It follows Esper’s demonstrator sensor Esperesso, and is slated to launch in 2026 as part of Esper’s Four Leaf Clover mission. Esper’s sensors work by using a spectrometer to identify the unique chemical spectra of objects, allowing users to detect the chemical fingerpring of minerals, chemicals, gases, and vegetation. The technology has wide applications from mining to agriculture to greenhouse gas emissions control. Esperoko will capture 138 bands with a ground resolution of 30m, allowing detailed chemical analysis of large swaths of ground from space.

As an electrical engineer at Esper, I was responsible for the design and testing of many key systems across the Esperoko sensor, including the onboard computer, wiring harness, and power distribution system. I was also responsible for communicating with Esper’s rideshare provider for ICD management and technical documentation. Working on Esperoko was my first exposure to space engineering and the considerations and constraints that come with it. I grew considerably as an engineering operating under the tangible time pressure of a startup project, and learned an immeasurable amount about how real space electronics work and survive.