German technology firm LiveEO announced the launch of Twinspector, a dedicated satellite constellation designed to monitor critical infrastructure, marking a significant shift in Europe’s commercial space capabilities.
The mission addresses a long-standing gap in the European market for high-resolution, three-dimensional Earth observation.
While Germany maintains a robust space ecosystem, it has lacked a commercial provider capable of delivering very high-resolution 3D imagery at scale.
For the energy sector, the launch is particularly consequential. The Twinspector constellation is engineered to provide large-area monitoring for pipelines and power grids, offering a vertically integrated solution that tracks environmental threats and structural integrity from orbit.
“Germany has everything it needs to take a leading role in space,” said Sven Przywarra, co-founder of LiveEO. “With Twinspector, we are building a commercial satellite capability that strengthens Europe’s technological independence.”
The project was born from an increasing demand for AI-powered analytics to protect energy and transportation assets.
Existing satellite systems often fail to meet the specific resolution and frequency required for pipeline safety.
Twinspector utilizes onboard graphics processing units (GPUs) to perform AI analyses directly in space, drastically reducing the time between data capture and actionable alerts.
The system’s precision is a generational leap; it can measure the height of 1.1 million trees with an accuracy of approximately one meter in less than one second.
For pipeline operators, this allows for the immediate detection of vegetation encroachment or ground movement that could lead to leaks or ruptures.
Industry veteran Manfred Krischke, who launched the pioneering RapidEye constellation in the 1990s, supported the project’s implementation.
“This mission is driven by customer needs, not by technology,” Krischke said. “We translate proven demand into a constellation design that delivers operational value from day one.”
The satellites are produced via a German value chain involving partners such as Reflex Aerospace and Engineering Minds Munich.
LiveEO’s current client base, which includes Deutsche Bahn and E.ON, is expected to utilize the new data to bolster climate resilience and security.
