Phase One iXM-SPL150 space imaging camera.

iXM-SPL150 Space Imaging

Phase One space robust camera

iXM-SPL150 Phase One space robust camera

The iXM-SPL150 is the ruggedized, space-qualified evolution of the iXM-RS150 – one of Phase One’s most widely deployed aerial cameras, with thousands of units in service with leading OEM integrators worldwide. Built entirely from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and successfully launched to Low Earth Orbit in June 2022, confirming its status as a fully flight-proven Earth Observation camera.

Key benefits

Collect more data in every frame

  • 14,204 × 10,652 pixels captured simultaneously across the full sensor area 
  • 3.76 µm BSI pixel pitch  enables compact, cost-effective telescope optics at typical LEO altitudes
  • 2D matrix snapshot exposures eliminate scanning artefacts for geometrically clean imagery 
  • Up to 4 fps acquisition rate enables rapid revisit and near-real-time tasking 
  • 83 dB dynamic range and 3.4 e⁻ read noise deliver high image quality across varied lighting conditions 

High resolution, 150MP Snapshot matrix camera

  • Ruggedized evolution of the golden benchmark iXM-RS150 aerial imaging platform 
  • TRL 9 achieved in June 2022 – the fastest available path to flight-proven space imaging
  • Tens of units scheduled for launch 2026/2027 across multiple mission
  • Proposed for LEO missions of 3+ years
  • Builds on a base of thousands of deployed units in demanding aerospace environments

Straightforward integration

  • Sensor and control electronics integrated in a single, compact 90 × 90 × 73 mm housing 
  • SFP+ (10GigE) and USB 3.0 interfaces for flexible data and control connectivity 
  • Standard mechanical interfaces support third-party telescope integration 
  • Phase One SDK over Linux enables rapid software integration and remote configuration 
  • Cold plate thermal interface simplifies integration with spacecraft thermal management 
  • Collect more data in every frame

    Collect more data in every frame

    • 14,204 × 10,652 pixels captured simultaneously across the full sensor area 
    • 3.76 µm BSI pixel pitch  enables compact, cost-effective telescope optics at typical LEO altitudes
    • 2D matrix snapshot exposures eliminate scanning artefacts for geometrically clean imagery 
    • Up to 4 fps acquisition rate enables rapid revisit and near-real-time tasking 
    • 83 dB dynamic range and 3.4 e⁻ read noise deliver high image quality across varied lighting conditions 
  • Proven for use in Low Earth Orbit

    High resolution, 150MP Snapshot matrix camera

    • Ruggedized evolution of the golden benchmark iXM-RS150 aerial imaging platform 
    • TRL 9 achieved in June 2022 – the fastest available path to flight-proven space imaging
    • Tens of units scheduled for launch 2026/2027 across multiple mission
    • Proposed for LEO missions of 3+ years
    • Builds on a base of thousands of deployed units in demanding aerospace environments
  • Straightforward integration

    Straightforward integration

    • Sensor and control electronics integrated in a single, compact 90 × 90 × 73 mm housing 
    • SFP+ (10GigE) and USB 3.0 interfaces for flexible data and control connectivity 
    • Standard mechanical interfaces support third-party telescope integration 
    • Phase One SDK over Linux enables rapid software integration and remote configuration 
    • Cold plate thermal interface simplifies integration with spacecraft thermal management 

Applications

High resolution satellite image of Earth by Phase One

Earth observation

The iXM-SPL150 delivers high-productivity Earth observation from LEO with a sensor format and frame rate optimized for wide-area coverage missions. Snapshot matrix imaging ensures that the full 150MP frame is acquired with a single exposure, eliminating the across-track geometric distortion that accumulates in line-scan systems during satellite attitude variations. This makes iXM-SPL150 ideal for off-nadir imaging and dynamic satellite tasking with low data latency. It’s high sensitivity and low noise, provide best-in-class imaging quality, even under extreme challenging light conditions.

Aerial imagery of an industrial facility captured by a Phase One camera system

New Space constellations

Built entirely from COTS components, the iXM-SPL150 is specifically architected for the economics of New Space constellation deployments, where per-unit camera cost, supply chain lead time, and integration simplicity are decisive program factors.

Aerial imagery of a harbor captured by a Phase One camera system

AI-driven image processing

Snapshot matrix cameras offer fundamental advantages for AI and machine learning-based image analysis pipelines. At up to 4 fps, the camera also supports near-real-time on-orbit inference for time-critical applications including vessel detection, disaster monitoring, and tactical intelligence.

Technical specifications

iXM-SPL150

Imaging Specifications

Sensor model

Sony IMX411

Sensor model

Sony IMX411

Sensor type

Back-Illuminated CMOS (BSI)

Sensor type

Back-Illuminated CMOS (BSI)

Color variants

Achromatic, Bayer color

Color variants

Achromatic, Bayer color

Resolution

14,204 x 10,652 pixels (150MP)

Resolution

14,204 x 10,652 pixels (150MP)

Pixel size

3.76 μm

Pixel size

3.76 μm

Pixel depth

16-bit , 14-bit , 12-bit

Pixel depth

16-bit , 14-bit , 12-bit

Full well capacity

50,000 e-

Full well capacity

50,000 e-

Dark current

1.2 e-/s @ 40°C

Dark current

1.2 e-/s @ 40°C

Read noise

3.4 e-

Read noise

3.4 e-

Line readout time (normal mode)

16-bit: 46 µs / 14-bit: 20.5 µs / 12-bit: 15.2 µs

Line readout time (normal mode)

16-bit: 46 µs / 14-bit: 20.5 µs / 12-bit: 15.2 µs

Trigger delay

5 ms

Trigger delay

5 ms

Min. exposure time

0.25 ms

Min. exposure time

0.25 ms

Dynamic range

83 dB

Dynamic range

83 dB

Capture rate

Up to 4 fps (dependent on image size and compression used)

Capture rate

Up to 4 fps (dependent on image size and compression used)

System Specifications

Metadata

Embedded in image file

Metadata

Embedded in image file

Interface (data & control)

SFP+ (10GigE), USB 3.0

Interface (data & control)

SFP+ (10GigE), USB 3.0

Image buffer size

1,500 MB

Image buffer size

1,500 MB

Hardware signals

Trigger input, camera ready output

Hardware signals

Trigger input, camera ready output

Software interface

Phase One SDK over Linux

Software interface

Phase One SDK over Linux

Power supply

12 V – 30 V DC

Power supply

12 V – 30 V DC

Max. power consumption

16 W

Max. power consumption

16 W

Mass

630 g

Mass

630 g

Dimensions

90 mm x 90 mm x 73 mm

Dimensions

90 mm x 90 mm x 73 mm

Thermal interface

Cold plate

Thermal interface

Cold plate

Environmental Specifications

Operating temperature range

-10°C to +40°C (camera body)

Operating temperature range

-10°C to +40°C (camera body)

Survival temperature range

-30°C to +70°C (camera body)

Survival temperature range

-30°C to +70°C (camera body)

Technology readiness level

TRL 9

Achieved June 2022 — fully flight-proven in Low Earth Orbit

TRL 9

Achieved June 2022 — fully flight-proven in Low Earth Orbit

Contact a Phase One Space Imaging Company Expert

Whether you are planning a cost-efficient New Space constellation or a long-duration Earth observation mission, our team will help you select the right camera system, discuss integration requirements, and provide the technical documentation needed to support your program.