CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT: C3S’ WREN-1: Monitoring Climate and Drought Impact on Crops
“SEOPS’ expertise, flexibility, and prompt service have played a pivotal role in the success of our satellite launch initiatives.” – Gyula Horváth, CEO at C3S
Ambitious Hungarian space company C3S LLC has designed and developed an innovative smallsat called the Water Resources in Efficient Networks (WREN-1). While small in physical stature, the 6U satellite’s mission is quite large: to serve as the first member of a constellation that will provide a prompt decision support system for climate adaptation, drought prevention, and yield forecasting.
The satellite features a high-performance camera system that captures multiple pictures of the planet, whereas the ground system incorporates a network of sensors. Both the images taken by WREN-1 and the local data provided by the sensors are fed to mathematical models based on geographical information and artificial intelligence to facilitate the purpose of the mission.
“WREN-1 is an on-orbit demonstration spacecraft designed to provide data from taking hyperspectral images, processing those images onboard, and then downlinking that data to compare it with sensors on the ground,” said Gergő Kiss, Chief Quality Officer at C3S LLC. “If the data matches, it will be extremely insightful for scientists, first in Hungary and hopefully with governments around the world. They’ll be able to assess the impact of climate change on crops, monitor drought, and use this data for more accurate forecasting.”
One Launch Goes Away, Another Surfaces (Quickly)
The 6U smallsat launched into space aboard the SpaceX Transporter-11 mission in August 2024. And while the launch was executed perfectly, the year leading up to it was anything but smooth for C3S.
Months before the targeted launch date, C3S learned its original launch services provider could no longer fulfill the contract. The launch deal collapsed and they found themselves with a spacecraft over 10,000 kilometers away in California with no launch contract or integration team to ensure it was manifested on the Falcon 9. “Missing this summer launch window would have big implications for our mission,” said Kiss. “The later the launch slipped into fall or even winter, the fewer opportunities we’d have to take pictures from space due to weather changes, jeopardizing the mission’s core objectives.”
The C3S team quickly evaluated alternative launch options and began the process of securing a new contract, forming a partnership with France’s RIDE! to facilitate the effort. This collaboration allowed them to move forward effectively and ensure the continuity of the project.
“At RIDE!, our mission is to provide smallsat operators with the most reliable, convenient, and affordable access to space,” said Valentin Benoit, CEO at RIDE! “As a global leader in launch brokerage and end-to-end mission management, we streamline the process through our platform and exclusive partnerships with 35+ launch providers, including SEOPS. Whether it’s for a single cubesat or an entire constellation, our expertise helps clients save time, reduce costs, and meet all regulatory requirements.”
SEOPS has Entered the (Launch) Chat
RIDE! arranged to find C3S’s access in short notice onto Transporter-11 via SEOPS. “This underscores how our shared values of flexibility and customer dedication drive our success. It’s a perfect example of the long-term, impactful collaboration we’re building with SEOPS,” added Benoit.
Having years of experience facilitating SpaceX missions, the SEOPS team immediately stepped in to accommodate the WREN-1 spacecraft on its existing Transporter-11 manifest.
Gyula Horváth, CEO at C3S, commented, “The SEOPS team demonstrated remarkable flexibility and professionalism, especially considering the unusual circumstances and timing requirements for our mission. They were steadfast in their support, adapting seamlessly to meet our evolving needs. We’re thankful for their unwavering commitment to ensure WREN-1 gets on orbit on schedule.”
“What sets SEOPS apart is their deep launch experience,” added Kiss. “Their team knows what to do – from handling the technical aspects of deployment to the ever-critical regulatory issues like export control. Their calm demeanor and ability to guide us through the process step-by-step gave us the confidence we needed.”
Next up for C3S are two missions slated to launch on an upcoming Transporter mission, both of which are supported by SEOPS. One mission involves a 12U commercial satellite which will carry a telescope for scientific purposes. The second involves two individual 3U cubesats fastened together with a separation mechanism. Once on orbit, they’ll uncouple, fly independently, and test communications between spacecraft as well as run collision avoidance and deorbiting procedures.
Horváth added, “SEOPS’ expertise, flexibility, and prompt service have played a pivotal role in the success of our satellite launch initiatives.”