Spiral Blue Achieves Key LiDAR Ranging Milestone In Partnership With Macquarie University

Ku-Ring-Gai Town Hall from Macquarie University campus

Sydney, NSW - 22nd of June, 2026, Spiral Blue, has demonstrated long-range LiDAR signal acquisition over 4.2 kilometers. The test ranged from Ku-Ring-Gai Town Hall from Macquarie University campus in Sydney. Conducted in partnership with Macquarie University, the test marks a significant proof point in the company's development of Space-to-Earth LiDAR technology.

One week earlier, Spiral Blue hosted its Space LiDAR Brunch at Macquarie University, which included a live outdoor range finding demonstration at 100 meters. Within seven days the team had extended that range more than forty-fold.

The test confirms that Spiral Blue's LiDAR system can maintain a strong, stable signal across several kilometers in a real-world environment. Reliable ranging over distance is a core requirement for the company's mission to deliver high-fidelity 3D mapping and foliage-penetrating Earth observation data from orbit, enabling geospatial intelligence at a scale and cost not previously accessible to commercial and government customers.

The LiDAR Brunch brought together leading figures from the Australian space sector for talks, a panel discussion, and the live hardware demonstration. Panellists included Dr Abdalati, former NASA Chief Scientist; Dr Mark Barnett, Spiral Blue's UK Lead; Dr Tim Parsons, our expert in residence cicada ; Teja Hareesh, Founding Team Member and Vice President at Pixxel; and Cofounder and CEO Taofiq Huq. The event was MC'd by Cofounder and COO MJ Akter, who also presented on the company's progress and roadmap.

Source: Spiral Blue

"I’m incredibly proud of our team and thankful to our partners at Macquarie University for hitting this major milestone. We’re building something that has never been built before, so it’s important to celebrate these wins along the way. Look forward to hearing more from us later this year on even longer range tests before we head to orbit." - Taofiq Huq, CEO, Spiral Blue

"Macquarie University has been proud to support Spiral Blue's LiDAR development programme, and this milestone is a reflection of what sustained, collaborative research can achieve. To see the team progress from 100 meters to 4.2 kilometers in a single week is a testament to the quality of the engineering and the strength of this collaboration. We look forward to continuing to support Spiral Blue as they progress toward orbit.” - David Spence, Head of Physical Sciences, Macquarie University.

This milestone builds on Spiral Blue's established track record in on-orbit data processing. The company has to date launched several Space Edge Computers and delivered multiple GIS contracts using AI and machine learning, processing Earth observation data directly in space before transmission to the ground. Spiral Blue has now directed its ambition to developing LiDAR, combining this proven on-orbit computing capability with active sensing to deliver 3D spatial data with foliage penetration, a capability in high demand across defence, agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure sectors. The company is actively progressing its payload development programme and is in discussions with launch and mission partners. 

About Spiral Blue

Spiral Blue is building LiDAR in space for global geospatial intelligence, with a focus on foliage penetration and 3D mapping. The company's LiDAR technology builds on its expertise with Space Edge Computing and machine learning, enabling high-fidelity data to be processed on-orbit before transmission to Earth. To date Spiral Blue has launched 10 Space Edge Computers and delivered multiple GIS contracts using AI and machine learning. The team's mission is to make advanced Earth observation data more accessible, actionable and affordable.

Spiral Blue Media Contact

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