Latest news with #Xplore
Geek Wire
5 days ago
- Science
- Geek Wire
Xplore reveals colorful hyperspectral views captured by its planet-watching satellite
An image from the XCUBE-1 satellite shows the Salt River in Arizona. ©2025 Xplore Inc. All rights reserved. Bellevue, Wash.-based Xplore has released the first hyperspectral images from its XCUBE-1 satellite, six months after the shoebox-sized spacecraft was sent into orbit. The pictures, captured with a resolution of 5 meters (16 feet) per pixel, show a river in Arizona, rugged terrain in Saudi Arabia, farmland in Uzbekistan and a settlement in Inner Mongolia. Each image is color-coded to reflect wavelengths that go beyond what the eye can see. Such images can be used to assess agricultural crop health, moisture levels and other characteristics of a given terrain. Thermal infrared imagery could be used to track the spectral signatures of seagoing vessels or overland shipments as part of a campaign to crack down on illegal trafficking. For military applications, hyperspectral images could point to newly laid minefields or see through camouflage. And for space applications, Xplore's multi-sensor imaging system could be turned spaceward to track other satellites. 'Xplore is focused on providing high-quality data products for our customers and partners,' Jeff Rich, co-founder and CEO of Xplore, said today in a news release. 'Our imagery is outperforming expectations, and its exceptional quality stems from the sophisticated ground calibration of our instruments and data processing pipeline. We expect demand for high-quality hyperspectral imagery to expand rapidly in multiple domains.' Hyperspectral satellite image of An Nabhaniyah, Saudi Arabia. ©2025 Xplore Inc. All rights reserved. Hyperspectral satellite image of farmland in Uzbekistan. ©2025 Xplore Inc. All rights reserved. Hyperspectral satellite image of Inner Mongolia, China. ©2025 Xplore Inc. All rights reserved. Two years ago, Xplore won a study contract from the National Reconnaissance Office to look into potential applications for hyperspectral imaging. Last December, XCUBE-1 was launched into low Earth orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Bandwagon-2 satellite rideshare mission. Xplore says it's sharing its initial data and exploring use cases with key customers and partners. The company plans to send future satellite platforms into Earth orbit and to other destinations to execute on its 'Space as a Service' business model. 'We're thrilled with Xplore's progress and are thankful for our talented team and partners,' Xplore co-founder and chief operating officer Lisa Rich said. 'Their hard work and dedication are clearly reflected in the outstanding imagery we're producing. We now invite customers to request data samples to assess our data for their programs and projects. The use of these data products will be crucial to produce insights, perform change detection and identify anomalies that are critical to our customers' applications.'
Geek Wire
10-06-2025
- Business
- Geek Wire
Xplore unveils colorful hyperspectral views captured by its planet-watching satellite
An image from the XCUBE-1 satellite shows the Salt River in Arizona. ©2025 Xplore Inc. All rights reserved. Bellevue, Wash.-based Xplore has released the first hyperspectral images from its XCUBE-1 satellite, six months after the shoebox-sized spacecraft was sent into orbit. The pictures, captured with a resolution of 5 meters (16 feet) per pixel, show a river in Arizona, rugged terrain in Saudi Arabia, farmland in Uzbekistan and a settlement in Inner Mongolia — with each image color-coded to reflect wavelengths that go beyond what the eye can see. Such images can be used to assess agricultural crop health, moisture levels and other characteristics of a given terrain. Thermal infrared imagery could be used to track the spectral signatures of seagoing vessels or overland shipments as part of a campaign to crack down on illegal trafficking. For military applications, hyperspectral images could point to newly laid minefields or see through camouflage. And for space applications, Xplore's multi-sensor imaging system could be turned to track other satellites 'Xplore is focused on providing high-quality data products for our customers and partners,' Jeff Rich, co-founder and CEO of Xplore, said today in a news release. 'Our imagery is outperforming expectations, and its exceptional quality stems from the sophisticated ground calibration of our instruments and data processing pipeline. We expect demand for high-quality hyperspectral imagery to expand rapidly in multiple domains.' Two years ago, Xplore won a study contract from the National Reconnaissance Office to look into potential applications for hyperspectral imaging. Last December, XCUBE-1 was launched into low Earth orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Bandwagon-2 satellite rideshare mission. Xplore says it's been sharing its initial data and exploring use cases with key customers and partners. The company plans to send future satellite platforms into Earth orbit and to other destinations to execute on its 'Space as a Service' business model. 'We're thrilled with Xplore's progress and are thankful for our talented team and partners,' Xplore co-founder and chief operating officer Lisa Rich said. 'Their hard work and dedication are clearly reflected in the outstanding imagery we're producing. We now invite customers to request data samples to assess our data for their programs and projects. The use of these data products will be crucial to produce insights, perform change detection and identify anomalies that are critical to our customers' applications.'
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Xplore Announces Finalization of $375 Million in Financing Commitments to Expand Fibre Broadband Access in Rural Canada
Canadian Infrastructure Bank and other investors to provide funding for completion of upcoming fibre builds MARKHAM, ON, June 4, 2025 /CNW/ - Xplore Inc., the leading provider of Internet services to Canadians in rural communities, announced today that it has now finalized an aggregate of $375 million in previously announced financing commitments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to support increased broadband access for rural and remote communities. The CIB financing – combined with contribution agreements from federal and provincial governments and private investment from Stonepeak (Xplore's controlling shareholder) and other institutional investors – means that Xplore has finalized all funding required to complete its upcoming fibre builds. Xplore's next-generation fibre Internet service will be available across Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. "This represents an important milestone – both for Xplore and for people in rural communities across Canada," said Geoff Lowe, President and Chief Financial Officer of Xplore Inc. "We're excited to be partnering with CIB to help bring fast, reliable fibre Internet service to underserved communities across the country." The Canada Infrastructure Bank uses flexible financing solutions to bring private investment to projects aimed at driving economic growth, connecting communities, or building energy, security and competitiveness. About Xplore Inc. Founded in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Xplore Inc. is Canada's fibre, 5G and satellite broadband company for rural living. Xplore is committed to the relentless pursuit of an improved broadband experience for all Canadians. Xplore is building world-class fibre and 5G wireless networks to enable innovative broadband services for better every day rural living, for today and future generations. SOURCE Xplore Inc. View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
04-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Xplore Announces Finalization of $375 Million in Financing Commitments to Expand Fibre Broadband Access in Rural Canada
Canadian Infrastructure Bank and other investors to provide funding for completion of upcoming fibre builds MARKHAM, ON, June 4, 2025 /CNW/ - Xplore Inc., the leading provider of Internet services to Canadians in rural communities, announced today that it has now finalized an aggregate of $375 million in previously announced financing commitments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to support increased broadband access for rural and remote communities. The CIB financing – combined with contribution agreements from federal and provincial governments and private investment from Stonepeak (Xplore's controlling shareholder) and other institutional investors – means that Xplore has finalized all funding required to complete its upcoming fibre builds. Xplore's next-generation fibre Internet service will be available across Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. "This represents an important milestone – both for Xplore and for people in rural communities across Canada," said Geoff Lowe, President and Chief Financial Officer of Xplore Inc. "We're excited to be partnering with CIB to help bring fast, reliable fibre Internet service to underserved communities across the country." The Canada Infrastructure Bank uses flexible financing solutions to bring private investment to projects aimed at driving economic growth, connecting communities, or building energy, security and competitiveness. About Xplore Inc. Founded in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Xplore Inc. is Canada's fibre, 5G and satellite broadband company for rural living. Xplore is committed to the relentless pursuit of an improved broadband experience for all Canadians. Xplore is building world-class fibre and 5G wireless networks to enable innovative broadband services for better every day rural living, for today and future generations.
The Courier
31-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Xplore Dundee faces public inquiry over disabled access on buses
Bus operator Xplore Dundee is facing a public inquiry over disabled access on its vehicles. The bus operator will be questioned by the traffic commissioner at a hearing after wheelchair user Paula Cahill, from Dundee, twice claimed she faced issues accessing the Fly service to and from Edinburgh Airport. The 46-year-old volunteer uses an electric wheelchair due to her muscular dystrophy. She alleges that in June 2024, she was left 'covered in glass' after the vehicle's door window shattered on a bus stop while a driver struggled to operate the wheelchair lift at the airport. In a previous incident in August 2023, she says it appeared another driver also did not know how to work the lift on the Fly service. She claims this left her 'suspended' above the ground for around 40 minutes and onlookers eventually had to lift her – and her 72kg chair – from the platform. It is understood Xplore Dundee disputes aspects of Paula's claims. Paula told The Courier: 'When I board the Fly service, I book in advance and let them know as they have to remove seats for my chair. 'On this occasion (in August 2023), when I boarded the bus with my friend, the driver let me on safely. 'There is an access lift and the driver would pull the ramp out, and then the lift goes about 4ft in the air. 'There were no issues and we got to Edinburgh Airport. 'Then the driver joked, 'What time is your flight because I don't know how to work this?' 'I was suspended in the air for about 35 to 40 minutes and by this time, a big crowd was watching what was going on.' Paula says it eventually took three people to reach up and carry her off the platform. She said: 'It wasn't necessarily the driver's fault, I asked him if he would go back to Xplore and ask for more training. 'I went on holiday and called Xplore while I was there to make them aware as I had a return booking. 'The lady in the office said the driver shouldn't be able to drive the bus (without knowing how to work the lift). 'I managed to get home and everything was fine on the return journey.' Paula claims that 10 months later, while returning from a holiday at around 2am in June 2024, a driver again struggled to use the lift, despite her having pre-booked. She says that while the driver battled with the mechanism, the upper access door opened and hit a bus stop – leaving a window smashed. Paula said: 'By this time, other passengers were getting really annoyed and some were getting off the bus and asking if they could help. 'They helped the driver get the ramp up. 'I was covered in glass but I had no other way to get home, I was also sat right next to the smashed bus window. 'My concern was if there was a gust of wind the window could have smashed in my face.' Paula says she felt her concerns were 'dismissed' by Xplore Dundee and wants more training for drivers. After initially going to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, the matter was reported to the Acting Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, Richard Turfitt. A public inquiry relating to Xplore's compliance with public service vehicles accessibility regulations (PSVAR) has now been scheduled for June 17 in Edinburgh. A spokesperson for Xplore Dundee said: 'We are aware of the matter and have been engaging with the relevant authorities regarding the allegations. 'As this issue is currently under consideration by the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.' The traffic commissioner can call a public inquiry for a number of reasons, including if operators have not met licence conditions or if their conduct has come into question. During the hearing, all parties present their cases in detail, including the DVSA. The commissioner can choose to issue penalties such as disqualifying an individual or company from having a licence. The decision will either be given at the time of the inquiry or in writing within 28 days. A DVSA spokesperson said: 'All passengers are entitled to be treated with courtesy and dignity by passenger transport providers. 'This includes drivers providing disabled passengers with reasonable assistance, including helping them on and off the bus by means of a ramp if they use a wheelchair. 'DVSA investigates reports of behaviour to the contrary and will take appropriate enforcement action where required.'
