Urban Sky

Urban Sky is a stratospheric technology and remote sensing company based in Denver, Colorado. The company has invented a novel platform called the Microballoon, which is a small, reusable, and rapidly deployable remote sensing balloon that operates in the stratosphere. Urban Sky's Microballoons can capture high-resolution imagery and data at an unprecedented low cost compared to traditional aerial platforms such as satellites and manned aircraft.

The Microballoon is designed to carry ultra-lightweight imaging payloads weighing less than six pounds. These payloads can capture natural color (RGB) imagery with a resolution of approximately 10 centimeters per pixel and long-wave infrared (LWIR) data with a resolution of around 3.5 meters. The balloons can be launched from mobile locations in just minutes with minimal personnel, enabling precise placement over desired areas.

Urban Sky's technology leverages advances in component miniaturization, atmospheric and flight modeling software, and controlled descent systems to enable reliable, high-resolution remote sensing from the stratosphere. The Microballoons emit significantly less carbon dioxide than remote sensing aircraft, making them an environmentally friendly solution for aerial imaging.

In October 2023, Urban Sky raised USD 9.75 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round co-led by New Legacy Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, and Lavrock Ventures. The company plans to use this funding to scale its commercial imaging operations to more than 15 US states and develop advanced stratospheric technology and sensors.

Urban Sky has already secured customers across various markets, including insurance analytics, environmental monitoring, utilities monitoring, disaster response, wildfire monitoring, and the oil and gas industry.