Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU), as previously covered here, aims to sell various satellite data through its LizzieSat constellation to “Bring space down to earth.” Their latest investor presentation describes the upcoming LizzieSat-2 and -3 as manifesting with a multi-spectral, sub-10-meter visual spectrum sensor. Our previous analysis identified these as Raptor Photonics Owl and Hawk cameras and concluded that both sensors are far from top-of-the-line. It remains unlikely these cameras offer competitive imagery solutions to the market.
However, a new company, Matter Intelligence, has emerged from stealth mode, announcing its intention to offer a significantly better resolution sensor than Sidus Space. Founded by former NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) scientists, Matter Intelligence plans to deploy a constellation of hyperspectral sensing satellites. Notably, JPL is renowned for creating spectrometers used in NASA’s HyTES and Planet Lab’s Tanager satellites. Matter Intelligence boldly claims its first satellite, EARTH-1, will feature the “highest-resolution commercial sensor capturing sub-meter RGB, thermal, and hyperspectral images.”
Sidus Space has previously asserted that the sensors on LizzieSat-2 and -3, with their “sub-5m ground sampling distance (GSD) multispectral SWIR, coupled with sub-10m hyperspectral imagery capabilities,” provide the company with a competitive advantage. This claimed competitive edge, if it ever truly existed, is poised to diminish significantly after Matter Intelligence launches EARTH-1. Matter Intelligence projects EARTH-1 will offer customers approximately 10 times better hyperspectral resolution and at least 5 times better visible resolution compared to LizzieSat.
Matter Intelligence has secured $12 million in seed funding, indicating that reputable venture funds and even Mark Cuban believed enough in the technology to invest. In contrast, Sidus Space reported $11.7 million cash on hand as of March 2025. However, this money appears slated to pay for more Lizziesats which to-date have not given positive return on their investment. Should Sidus Space decide to invest in developing cutting-edge sensors for LizzieSat to compete, a new strategy or funding seems neccessary.