Czech technology for monitoring meteors has captured a unique recording of a “shooting star.”

On April 24, 2026, Novinky.cz published an article highlighting a significant scientific achievement by Czech research teams in the field of space technologies.

According to Novinky.cz, a scientific team led by experts from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences was the first in the world to record a high-quality ultraviolet spectrum of a shooting star from the stratosphere and to perform its elemental analysis. This result represents an important milestone in the development of Czech hyperspectral cameras designed for CubeSat satellite constellations.

The technology can be applied to the monitoring of meteors, lightning, and spacecraft re-entries into the atmosphere. The development of these cameras is currently linked to two planned space missions over the next two years, aiming to advance the technology from stratospheric balloon testing to orbital deployment.

According to the article, a technology demonstrator is expected to fly aboard the Space Rider as part of the IOSLAB platform developed by SAB Aerospace. This will be followed by the operational deployment of the FREYA camera on a dedicated CubeSat within the DOME system aboard the SATen satellite, developed under the leadership of the Brno University of Technology.

As further stated by Richard Sysala from esc Aerospace, large-scale production of these cameras is planned in the future. This could position the Czech Republic as a key player in imaging technologies capable of continuously monitoring events in the atmosphere and on the Earth’s surface - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The technology is being developed by a broad consortium of partners. The electronic part of the FREYA camera was developed by esc Aerospace, while the optical part was developed by the J. Heyrovský Institute in cooperation with the HiLASE Centre. Testing for space applications is provided by VZLÚ Aerospace, and the ground segment is operated by the Valašské Meziříčí Observatory.

Read the full article (CZ) HERE.