Paris, France – cosine Remote Sensing has signed the consolidation phase contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) as prime contractor for one of the Earth Observation Resilience Satellite In-Orbit Demonstration A (ERS IOD-A) Low Luminance / Night Vision, marking an important step towards a new European capability for very-high-resolution imaging in extremely low-light conditions and at night.
At the core of the mission is Valk™ Nox, cosine’s next-generation imaging instrument designed to deliver very-high-resolution Earth-observation data beyond the limits of conventional daylight imaging. By enabling observation under extremely low illumination, and even during the night, ValkTM Nox represents a strategically important capability for persistent monitoring and enhanced situational awareness.
If the contract is extended to the implementation and flight phase, the programme will create strong synergies with the Dutch Ministry of Defence’s PAMI mission, on which cosine’s Valk™ Gen 1 Very-High-Resolution instrument is being deployed. Together, the two missions would establish a coherent technology and mission roadmap, building on operational experience with space-based VHR imaging and extending it towards advanced low-light and night-time observation capabilities for European institutional, security and defence users.
The programme also represents an important opportunity on the path towards the European Earth Observation Governmental Service (EOGS). By demonstrating critical technology in orbit and maintaining close engagement with customers and end users, cosine is helping Europe build resilient, sovereign and operationally relevant Earth-observation capabilities.
Serving as prime contractor further consolidates cosine’s evolution from an instrument provider into a company capable of driving complete missions. This role gives cosine direct responsibility for the mission’s technical direction, industrial coordination and delivery, while reinforcing the strong link between those developing the technology and the customers and users who will ultimately depend on it.
“Taking the prime role for this activity is an important milestone for cosine. Valk Nox extends very-high-resolution observation into low-light and night-time conditions, providing Europe with a capability of clear strategic relevance. Our work on PAMI and our close relationship with institutional customers and operational users put us in a unique position to translate advanced imaging technology into missions that directly address Europe’s security and resilience needs,” said Marco Esposito, Managing Director at cosine.
As Europe strengthens its strategic autonomy in space, cosine is committed to playing an active role in safeguarding European interests. Being close to customers and end users makes it inevitable, and essential, for the company to operate at the forefront: anticipating emerging needs, developing the required technologies and taking responsibility for delivering the missions that turn those capabilities into operational value.
About cosine
Founded in 1998, cosine is a world-leading developer of space instrumentation and measurement systems, making the invisible measurable and the complex actionable. Its expertise spans High-Energy Optics, including optics developed for ESA’s future NewAthena X-ray observatory, as well as remote sensing solutions for Earth Observation and planetary science. With over 25 years of experience and advanced cleanroom and assembly facilities across the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, cosine brings deep scientific and engineering expertise to some of the most demanding missions in space and on Earth.
