Boosting Crop Yields with Space Tech

Smart Farming Powered by Satellites

Hydrosat, a deep-tech company, is changing agriculture by using advanced thermal imagery to detect water stress and boost crop productivity.  

Hydrosat ‘s VanZyl-1 satellite, launched through SpaceX’s Transporter-11 mission, provides near real-time insights at the field level. This enables farmers and policymakers to make timely decisions, leading to higher crop yields and better management of water resources. 

The VanZyl-1 satellite addresses major gaps in traditional land temperature data by delivering frequent, high-resolution thermal and visible near-infrared imagery. This allows for the early detection of crop stress through the monitoring of evapotranspiration—the process where water evaporates from soil and is released by plants. By capturing these changes, Hydrosat helps farmers pinpoint which parts of their fields need water, improving irrigation efficiency and reducing unnecessary water and energy use. 

“With VanZyl-1, Hydrosat can deliver real time insights into agricultural water use and plant stress anywhere in the world,” said Pieter Fossel, co-founder and CEO of Hydrosat. “Our data improves agricultural productivity by providing more frequent thermal observations, showing growers exactly when and where their fields need water, helping them maximize yields while using less water and lowering their electricity bill.” 

To highlight its capabilities, Hydrosat shares sample images showing how data is transformed into valuable insights: 

• Visible Near-Infrared Images – Show the health of vegetation in detail. 

• Thermal Infrared Images – Detect areas facing heat or water stress. 

• Evapotranspiration Maps – Indicate water use by plants, guiding better irrigation. 

The data from VanZyl-1 is based on proven scientific models, allowing for accurate measurements of surface temperature and crop conditions. These early indicators of water stress often appear before visible symptoms, giving farmers a head start in protecting their crops. 

“We anchor our analytics in frequent, high resolution measurements and physics, giving farmers, agribusinesses, and policymakers high-confidence data to guide irrigation, crop health interventions, and long-term sustainability efforts,” said Scott Soenen, Chief Technology Officer at Hydrosat. “High spatial and temporal resolution thermal imagery gives us a unique edge in monitoring irrigation needs, ultimately enabling more efficient water use and higher yields for growers.” 

Hydrosat’s thermal imagery fills the gaps left by government data and is especially valuable in remote and cloudy regions. Through its IrriWatch platform, Hydrosat makes this technology accessible worldwide. Farmers in over 50 countries—including those growing almonds, sugarcane, and rice—are already using it to improve yields, reduce costs, and ensure long-term water sustainability. 

Photo Credit: VanZyl-1-hydrostat.com