Xplore Unveils Hyperspectral Imagery of North Korea from New Satellite

Xplore, based in Bellevue, Washington, has revealed a hyperspectral image of North Korean territory, showcasing features such as rice paddies and fish farms. The image was presented at the Seattle Space Superiority Summit and was captured by the XCube 1 satellite, launched last December. This development is part of a broader initiative to explore the utility of hyperspectral imagery for national security and commercial applications, as Xplore aims to establish itself in the space-as-a-service market.

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Published Sep 19, 2025

SPACE ECONOMY

Nine months after the successful launch of its inaugural satellite, Bellevue, Washington-based Xplore has made significant strides in the realm of satellite imagery. At the Seattle Space Superiority Summit, the company unveiled a remarkable hyperspectral image of North Korean territory, revealing intricate details of the landscape as captured by its XCube 1 satellite. This image, showcasing semi-submerged rice paddies, fish farms, and salt flats, highlights the satellite's capability to observe the Earth in both visible and near-infrared wavelengths.

Lisa Rich, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Xplore, expressed the excitement surrounding this pivotal reveal, emphasizing its importance to the company’s mission. Launched into low Earth orbit in December as part of SpaceX’s Bandwagon 2 rideshare mission, the XCube 1 has been operational since June, providing imagery that is now being utilized for various analytical studies.

Xplore's efforts are part of a multi-stage initiative led by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) aimed at assessing the utility of hyperspectral imagery. The first phase focuses on evaluating the capabilities of individual sensors and the overall constellation, while the subsequent phase will further explore on-orbit capabilities and the procurement of data products.

Beyond national security applications, Xplore is positioning itself in the burgeoning space-as-a-service market, with aspirations to develop satellites and orbital platforms for commercial remote sensing. Founded in 2017, the company is at the forefront of innovating how satellite data can be harnessed for a variety of purposes, marking a significant evolution in the accessibility and utility of space-based imagery.