Revolv Space and Scanway launch KIMBALL, a fully integrated inspection camera for satellite inspection, in-orbit servicing, and space situational awareness

Revolv Space and Scanway have launched KIMBALL, a fully integrated inspection camera system with 360° rotation capability. Designed specifically to eliminate the integration friction of managing multiple suppliers, KIMBALL combines a flight-proven pointing device, camera controller, and dual-angle optics into one compact unit. KIMBALL is specifically designed for satellite inspection, rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD), and other in-orbit servicing applications.

One system, two flight-proven building blocks

KIMBALL is built on two subsystems that have already been demonstrated in orbit: Revolv Space’s pointing assembly and Scanway’s space camera, both at TRL 9. By delivering a single pre-integrated system with one mechanical, electrical, and data interface, Revolv and Scanway shift the integration hurdles from the customer to the suppliers. This turnkey approach saves significant development and qualification time for satellite integrators, allowing them to focus on their mission rather than custom system integration. By combining Revolv’s heritage in mechanisms and motor controllers with Scanway’s experience in space optics, KIMBALL reduces the number of interfaces exposed to the customer to a minimum, resulting in seamless integration with the spacecraft and simple configuration management.

Kimball render. Credits: Revolv Space / Scanway.

Made for rendezvous, proximity operations and servicing

As satellite inspection and in-orbit servicing missions move from concept to reality, operators will need reliable eyes on their target. KIMBALL is designed for exactly this: full 360° movement lets a single unit follow a target or sweep the spacecraft, while narrow and wide-angle optics cover both close inspection and situational context. Onboard image compression and video encoding keep the visual data usable and precisely timestamped.

As space evolves into a contested domain, the ability to monitor the orbital environment has become mission-critical. Operators must maintain persistent situational awareness to protect assets and detect potential threats in real time. KIMBALL provides the essential eyes on orbit, enabling proactive identification of approaching spacecraft or non-cooperative objects, empowering operators to make informed decisions to ensure mission security.

Key applications include:

• RPOD Support: Real-time visual data for in-orbit rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking.
• Deployment Verification: Inspection of solar panels, solar sails, and other critical appendages.
• Structural Health Monitoring: Close-up examination of mechanisms, thermal insulation, and potential space debris damage.
• Space Situational Awareness: General inspection of orbital surroundings and resident space objects.

The system is compact and light: a 170 x 70 x 95 mm envelope, under 1 kg in total mass, with a full 360° rotation range, with high actuation speed (up to 120°/s). The mechanism has been tested to 60,000 full cycles in thermal vacuum (1 cycle = 1 full rotation forward and 1 full rotation backwards). Its small camera form factor keeps mass and volume low where they matter most.

credits: Scanway

About Revolv Space

Revolv Space (Torino, Italy / Delft, The Netherlands) empowers small satellites with “superpowers” by providing high-performance, cost-effective mechanisms and turnkey power systems. Specializing in agile, low-lead-time solutions, the company offers a vertical power generation product range, from solar array drive assemblies, deployment hinges and solar arrays.

Visit revolvspace.com.

About Scanway

Scanway (Wrocław, Poland) designs and delivers advanced optical payloads and vision systems for demanding space missions. Its flight-proven technologies support applications ranging from Earth observation to in-orbit inspection, combining optical engineering, imaging electronics and onboard processing to provide mission-ready solutions for satellite integrators and operators.

Visit scanway.pl/en/.