Remote sensing is the challenging world that includes a broad range of techniques for observing an object or a phenomenon without having physical contact with it. cosine has experience with applications ranging from observing Earth’s atmosphere, water and land to planetary research, as well as inspection of objects on Earth. cosine’s track record in planetary research includes space navigation instruments and suites of instruments to observe different aspects of the planets in our solar system.
Applications
Atmosphere
Agri-food
Water
Vegetation
Land
SPACE
Our Remote sensing business unit provides compact and smart solutions for accurate measurements from a distance. We offer cost-efficient solutions with strength in numbers.
With a proven track record in space instruments, we developed HyperScout, a small high performance hyperspectral imager that is small enough to be used on CubeSats. This allows the use of a constellation of small instruments, rather than one large instrument, providing shorter revisit times at a lower cost for operational applications.
Image credits: GOMSpace
AIRBORNE
Our compact and light instruments have also found their way closer to Earth. Modified versions of our space instruments can easily be used on planes, UAV and drones, providing an even higher spatial resolution (cm’s) for more local applications. It is even possible to combine space and local data when necessary.
Our technology lines
cosine’s remote sensing knowledge and capabilities comprise many techniques, including artificial intelligence, hyperspectral imaging, polarimetry, spectroscopy, infrared imaging and LIDAR. We can provide you with already developed optical instrumentation and technologies, or with a solution specifically designed for your application.
Hyperspectral
Hyperspectral imaging provides the full spectrum in each image pixel, which allows us to determine the composition of objects in the image, to measure vegetation, algae, snow, droughts and more.
Polarimetry
Polarimetric imaging analyzes the nature of scattering objects in the images, such as water droplets, sand, dust and snow, to determine air quality and analyze layers on the ground.
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopic imaging measures concentrations of specific molecules in the atmosphere to create images of air quality, smoke, aerosols, gas leaks and more.
Infrared
Infrared imaging provides the temperature and molecular information of objects in the image, allowing us to detect objects that cannot be discerned using visible light or in the dark, to detect fires and measure soil moisture.
LIDAR
LIDAR measures distances using a laser pulse to measure ground and water levels, height of vegetation, buildings and structures, as well as height profiles of clouds, smog and other atmospheric components.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence provides advanced recognition and analysis tools that efficiently process complex imaging data, even with limited resources on board a satellite.
HyperScout is available now!
HyperScout is the first ever miniaturized hyperspectral imager with its own brain. Realize your own remote sensing application with HyperScout! Your options include:
- Your own HyperScout
- Your own HyperScout observation data
- Access to our HyperScout observation data
From operational needs to information
cosine can support you wherever you are in the value chain. We find the best solution for your application, deliver instruments, provide the required data and application insights, coordinate platform and fleet integration with our partners, and enable you to retrieve the information you need.
Instruments
Platform integrator
Fleet integrator
Mission operations
Data services

Constellations
The interval between successive observations that is required to monitor changes depends on the application and the instruments used. By combining multiple satellites into a constellation our instruments are able to observe the same area several times per day, allowing for many more operational applications than traditionally possible.
Observe the world
twice a day
A constellation of 16 satellites can observe the whole world
two times per day
Observe a location
twice an hour
A constellation of 16 satellites can observe any area
two times per hour
Observe Europe
twice a day
A constellation of 12 satellites can observe Europe
two times per day
Observe a location
twice a day
A small constellation of 2 satellites can observe any area
two times per day
Click on the link above to discover our scientific publications

Dr Marco Esposito