ESA Expands Earth-Observing Missions with New Scout Satellites Hibidis and SOVA-S

The European Space Agency has announced plans to expand its Earth-observing satellite missions with the selection of two new Scout satellites: Hibidis and SOVA-S. Chosen from four competitive proposals, these missions will address critical scientific inquiries, exploring both terrestrial biodiversity beneath forest canopies and the influence of atmospheric gravity waves at high altitudes.

Hibidis, short for Hyperspectral Biodiversity Scout, aims to improve understanding of the biodiversity and functioning of understorey ecosystems. Using a hyperspectral imager, it will evaluate essential biodiversity indicators by capturing images from three distinct angles, allowing researchers to differentiate between forest canopies and understories. SITAEL in Italy will lead the mission, with support from partners including AMOS for the imaging technology and VITO and the University of Zurich for data analysis and scientific input.

Meanwhile, SOVA-S, or Satellite Observation of Waves in the Atmosphere – Scout, will focus on atmospheric gravity waves, which significantly impact Earth’s climate but are not well-represented in current climatic models. This satellite will deploy a shortwave infrared imager to provide daily observations of such gravity waves at altitudes ranging from 80 to 120 kilometers by detecting airglow, a faint light emitted through atmospheric chemical reactions. OHB Czechspace will serve as the prime contractor for SOVA-S and highlighted this project as a significant achievement for the Czech space sector, celebrating their collaborative efforts with Bavarian partners.

The formal selection of both missions was approved by ESA’s Earth Observation Programme Board after a thorough ten-month evaluation. Simonetta Cheli, director of ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes, emphasized that these missions demonstrate that impactful Earth science can be achieved efficiently and cost-effectively, showing how innovative approaches can yield substantial advancements within a short timeframe.

Hibidis and SOVA-S will join the ranks of the ESA Scout missions, which include HydroGNSS, launched in November 2025 to gather data on hydrological climate variables, and NanoMagSat, currently in development to study magnetic field dynamics. The ESA’s Scout initiative exemplifies a commitment to agile satellite development, aiming to explore emerging scientific frontiers while maintaining fiscal responsibility and fostering rapid scientific progress.