Space-ng Unveils Computer Vision Hardware/Software Development Kit at Small Sat

Space-ng is offering a low cost, rugged, air cooled Hardware Development Kit (HDK) for their space qualified Sol3 Vision System, as well as a Software Development Kit (SDK) that is free to download and use for evaluation, non-commercial, and academic research. This open architecture approach invites universities, start ups, and established aerospace companies to explore the power of computer vision for space applications in their own labs.

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Space-ng's Sol3 hardware and software ecosystem, including the HDK and SDK, will be on display at the 39th Annual Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City, UT, August 10-13, 2025, at Space-ng Booth #2437.  Attendees at the 39th Small Satellite Conference will include Space-ng Co-Founder and Chief Engineer Steve Bailey.

Space-ng provides advanced computer vision systems such as the Vision Navigation System (VNS) software for terrain relative navigation, hazard detection, and attitude determination used by Firefly Aerospace's fully successful Blue Ghost Mission 1 (BGM1). Space-ng has completed spaceflight qualification testing for the Sol3 Vision System, with the first flight articles scheduled for delivery in Q3 of 2025. Sol3 was developed by Space-ng to host the powerful software that will drive next generation computer vision applications for space systems, the equivalent of level 5 self driving for autonomous spacecraft.

Sol3 Vision System
Sol3 is an integrated hardware and software computer vision system for space.  The Sol3 hardware consists of a powerful low SWAP computer, the Base Unit, that controls up to 12 remote high resolution Camera Modules.  Sol3 is a user programmable software defined system, with support for hardware accelerated image processing and compute workloads. The Sol3 ecosystem includes the flight, ground, simulation, test, and operations hardware and software necessary to support computer vision and imaging systems for space applications including optical navigation, lunar landing, autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, manufacturing, assembly, servicing, and space situational awareness.

Sol3 HDK
Space-ng has developed a version of Sol3 hardware to support rapid prototyping, engineering development, and pre and post integration testing in earth-based lab and field environments. The HDK consists of a rugged air-cooled Base Unit which can support up to 12 rolling or global shutter HDK Camera Modules. The Sol3 HDK is identical in functionality, performance, and similar in size, to the Sol3 flight hardware, substituting commercial parts and connectors to keep the cost low. Access to flight like hardware for your team is no longer a barrier. The HDK Base unit is priced at $5K, with HDK Camera Modules starting at $1K, power supply and harnesses included!

Fast Track from Innovation to Integration
Flight-like hardware development environments are often expensive, long lead, difficult to work with, and scarce. This choke point in flight hardware and software integration can persist late into development where changes become ever more costly.

The Sol3 HDK and SDK break this cycle. It's a complete, integration-ready platform designed to bring autonomy prototypes into flight-relevant environments, fast. Backed by software already in use for lunar landing, navigation, and proximity ops, the HDK lets your team:

• Drop into flight-like test loops with FSW, GNC, and Payload code examples.
• Run full workflows from your laptop in hours, not weeks or months.
• Build with confidence using well-documented, mission-proven software primitives.

The Sol3 HDK and SDK puts a high fidelity toolset in the hands of engineers early in development, so they can validate mission Con-Ops and mission & system requirements, and accelerate verification of critical flight system functionality and performance.

From Field Experiments to TRL9
The compute and sensor stack at the heart of the HDK is identical to Space-ng's Sol3 EDU and Flight units, streamlining your development process through PDR, CDR, IRR, and TRR. "The main difference between the HDK and our Flight Units is the use of commercial connectors and non-space-grade parts" – Steve Bailey, Chief Engineer and Cofounder of Space-ng. "By ordering the HDK and using the SDK you can jump start development, explore the power of the Sol3 architecture, and move confidently into system level integration and testing."

A Paradigm Shift in Flight Software Development
Sol3 represents a step change in onboard compute and sensor capability compared to current spacecraft architectures.  Space-ng is releasing the Sol3 SDK to enable users to implement software that can take full advantage of this hardware capability to unlock advanced computer vision and autonomous use cases.  This is the same software that Space-ng uses internally to develop and support lunar navigation and landing. "To deploy state of the art navigation algorithms we need access to a GPU, neural accelerator, hardware encoding, high bit depth high resolution imagery, tightly integrated IMUs, and modern environments (C++20, linux, containers) and open source software (GTSAM, ceres-solver, opencv, Eigen, pytorch).  We want our partners and customers to innovate alongside us and have access to the same tools the Space-ng team is using everyday." – Ethan Rublee, CEO and Co-founder of Space-ng.  "We're releasing our SDK, free for academic research and non-commercial use, to empower our community to build the next generation of space flight software."

Available Now for Order
Reservations for the Sol3 HDK Base Unit and Camera Modules are open online today. The first units are expected to ship in September of 2025. Upon request and acceptance of the Evaluation License, the SDK, emulation environment, and documentation can be accessed online for free. To learn more about the Sol3 HDK or to place an order, visit space-ng.com/hdk.

Sol3 Capabilities
The Sol3 Base Unit is the computer and camera controller, responsible for camera power and network communication with the spacecraft bus. The Base Unit hosts a capable Qualcomm based SOC, internal closed loop heater control, 4 IMUs, and supports external triggers, RS-422 I/O, floodlights, and up to 12 GMSL connected Camera Modules, and weighs less than 750 grams.

Sol3 Camera Modules can be either global shutter or rolling shutter, with a user-selectable focal length, F number, and harness length. Each has 12.3 Mpixel resolution, up to 6 Gbps bandwidth, an IMU, internal closed loop heater control, and weigh as little as 150 grams apiece.

Space-ng is taking orders for Sol3 hardware, with first flight hardware delivery in Q3 of 2025 and EDU hardware now available. As a software-defined system with an open architecture model, various flight software modules may be licensed from Space-ng, or developed by the customer to suit their needs. Sol3 hardware and software supports each stage of the spacecraft life cycle from design, development, test, and integration, to mission operations. This includes real time simulation, electrical ground support equipment, command and telemetry, and Over the Air (OTA) updates. Space-ng can provide dedicated support through delivery and integration, or all the way through mission success.

"Optical navigation is critical in situations where you need precise maneuvering and a GPS signal is not available" – Will Coogan, Chief Engineer at Firefly Aerospace. "We chose Space-ng for the Blue Ghost mission to the Moon because their software provides a precision landing location on the lunar surface that avoids hazardous obstacles like rocks and craters. Space-ng provides excellent support and expertise, and we look forward to working with them for future missions to the Moon and beyond!"

Learn More About Space-ng

Space-ng is developing revolutionary computer vision hardware and software for Civil, Commercial, and Defense space customers. Space-ng builds tools that empower engineers to prototype, test, and fly advanced autonomous systems. With deep expertise in camera systems, perception, visual navigation, and flight software, our team creates integration-ready hardware and software platforms that rapidly bring ideas from field experiments to flight. Our products are being used on missions for  lunar landings, proximity operations, and spacecraft autonomy. We're not just building tools — we're building the future of spacecraft systems, with engineers who dare to redefine what's possible. To learn more about Space-ng visit www.space-ng.com, where you'll find the answers to your most common questions as well as contact information on how to customize Sol3 for your mission.

Media Contact: Stephen Bailey, 720-840-6895, [email protected]

SOURCE Space-ng Inc.