Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ: SATL) confirmed that its flight software guided an Earth observation satellite through two proximity operations periods around a derelict Chinese rocket body in low-Earth orbit, according to a press release dated Sept. 14, 2026.

The satellite, Continuum-1, was built by Satellogic and acquired by HEO in December 2025. During the first proximity period in August, Continuum-1 held position within 30 kilometers of a spent CZ-2C rocket upper stage. A second, closer period in late August and early September brought the satellite within 27 kilometers of the target.

HEO reported that imaging resolution improved from approximately 8 centimeters per pixel during the first period to 7 centimeters per pixel during the second.

Continuum-1 was originally designed to image Earth from approximately 500 kilometers altitude. Satellogic said the mission required re-tuning the satellite's optical payload and software to image an object at close range.

"Continuum-1 was built to observe Earth from about 500 kilometers away," said Gonzalo Castillo, VP of Product & Customer Success at Satellogic. "Getting it to hold a sharp picture of something 27 kilometers away, which meant re-tuning the optical payload and the software behind it, demonstrates the flexibility of our platform to also serve Space Domain Awareness applications."

The campaign involved HEO, which selected the target and led mission planning, and UNSW Canberra Space, which supported maneuver planning and ground-based tracking. Funding came through Australia's Defence Trailblazer program. Satellogic was responsible for mission operations.