Alf-SpaceOrbital Intelligence
Alf-Space was born from a long-standing conviction: the value of Earth observation lies not only in acquiring data, but in transforming it into trusted, actionable intelligence.
The Alf-Space project stems from more than a decade of scientific research conducted within LATMOS, a joint research unit of CNRS, UVSQ and Sorbonne University, in Earth observation, atmospheric sciences, small satellites and hyperspectral instrumentation.
As early as 2010, the founders identified the transformative potential of small satellite constellations for environmental monitoring from space. The emergence of New Space, technology miniaturization and higher revisit frequency opened the way to operational services based on massive environmental data exploitation.
Over time, a key realization emerged: value no longer lies solely in acquiring measurements, but in transforming heterogeneous datasets into reliable, traceable and actionable information. Industrial operators and public authorities need to identify affected assets, attribute emissions to their likely source, quantify rates, assess uncertainty and integrate results into operational and regulatory workflows.
Fugitive methane emissions have become one of the most critical climate and industrial challenges. Stronger environmental regulations, the rise of MRV frameworks and the need to reduce economic losses create demand for robust, independent and operational monitoring capabilities.
This convergence led to ORION, an environmental intelligence platform combining satellite observations, atmospheric modelling and artificial intelligence to detect, attribute and quantify anthropogenic atmospheric emissions, beginning with fugitive methane from energy and industrial infrastructure.
To progressively enhance ORION and secure strategic observation capabilities, Alf-Space is developing CLARA, a new generation of miniaturized and modular hyperspectral instruments for future missions and satellite constellations.
Fugitive methane emissions are among the fastest and most cost-effective levers to reduce the climate impact of the energy sector. Yet detection, attribution and quantification remain constrained by observation frequency, availability and interpretation.
Alf-Space combines Earth observation, atmospheric modelling, AI and advanced space technologies. ORION produces decision-ready intelligence; CLARA progressively improves revisit frequency, sensitivity and quantification accuracy.
After more than a decade of scientific research and in-orbit validation, the founders are transforming academic expertise into operational solutions addressing growing industrial and regulatory needs.
The project entered entrepreneurial maturation between 2025 and 2026, was awarded the French Tech Lab Grant on February 5, 2026, admitted to IncubAlliance Paris-Saclay on February 20, 2026, and plans incorporation in October 2026.
The founders identify the potential of small satellite constellations and miniaturized instruments for environmental monitoring from space.
More than a decade of research and mission experience in Earth observation, atmospheric science, hyperspectral instrumentation and small satellites.
The project enters pre-incubation and prepares the transition from academic expertise to operational value creation.
Alf-Space is awarded the French Tech Lab Grant and admitted to IncubAlliance Paris-Saclay.
Creation of Alf-Space as a company and preparation of the first financing round.
Today, Alf-Space stands at the intersection of scientific excellence, environmental intelligence and DeepTech entrepreneurship. The first phase focuses on operational validation of ORION, targeting a detection probability above 80% for methane emissions exceeding 500 kg/h under targeted use cases and favorable observation conditions. Longer term, CLARA aims to improve ORION toward methane source detection on the order of 100 kg/h.
