Esper Satellite Imagery, founded in 2019, is a Melbourne-based space technology startup that builds and operates a constellation of satellites equipped with hyperspectral sensors. These sensors capture hundreds of wavelengths of light, beyond what the human eye can see, to detect the chemical composition of the Earth's surface and atmosphere. Esper provides this imagery data to businesses for applications in agriculture, cleantech, carbon capture, environmental monitoring, and sustainable mining, with the aim of making industries reliant on the earth's resources more sustainable. Their major product is the EarthTones platform which delivers real-time, site-specific hyperspectral imagery data. Key partners include SkyWatch, Array Labs, Space Machines Company, and Spiral Blue.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Mark Esper requested that the Senate Armed Services Committee provide the technical legislative authority to establish the Space Force as the sixth branch of the Armed Forces within the Department of the Air Force and requested the necessary resources to ensure its success.
In July testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing, Mark Esper affirmed that creating a space service is timely and compared the need for a separate space force to the 1947 creation of an independent air service.
Mark Esper prioritized filling positions quickly to establish stable civilian leadership at the Defense Department.
Mark Esper served in the Virginia National Guard, the District of Columbia National Guard, and the Army Reserve before retiring in 2007.
Mark Esper served in the 1990–1991 Gulf War with the 101st Airborne Division.