ICEYE, a provider of natural catastrophe solutions and insights, successfully launched three additional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites on March 4th, 2024. These SARs include a 1200 MHz radar bandwidth in-orbit technology demonstrator that has upgraded ICEYE’s X-band antenna, increasing radar bandwidth to 1200 MHz and enabling 25 cm imaging.
The satellites were integrated via launch integrator Exolaunch and successfully lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-10 rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, US. Each spacecraft has established communication, and early routine operations are underway.
Rafal Modrzewski, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, ICEYE commented, “Our growing constellation provides an objective and reliable source of intelligence, enabling a faster, more accurate response to changes taking place anywhere on the planet. The launch of the 1200 MHz bandwidth technology demonstrator delivers 25 cm resolution SAR imaging, unlocking a new level of clarity and detail for high-priority decision-making.”
Two of the three SAR satellites launched on the mission are manufactured by ICEYE US, while one is an in-orbit technology demonstrator manufactured by ICEYE in Finland. The upgraded SARs will be initially assigned to engineering tests before being made available to ICEYE customers.
The satellites launched include an advanced radar that enables major improvements in image quality, faster downlink speeds for more agile imagery collections, and better integration with ICEYE’s global network of ground stations.
Eric Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, ICEYE US, said: “Our partners require dependable and persistent change detection to address emergent, time-critical needs. We are proud to add two additional U.S-built satellites to our constellation, strengthening our commitment to deliver strategic insights for our defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial customers.”
ICEYE has successfully deployed 34 spacecraft since 2018 and operates the world’s largest constellation of SAR satellites. These satellites aim to image any location on the Earth’s surface in any environmental condition at any time. The SAR data provides precise insights for ICEYE’s government and commercial customers in near real-time. ICEYE plans to launch up to 15 satellites in 2024.
Stephen Lathrope, Senior Vice President, ICEYE said, “As ICEYE continues to expand its satellite constellation and enhance its SAR imaging technology we can provide our insurance clients with unique imagery of the loss impact of flood and wildfire events at unparalleled levels of resolution. Armed with this near real-time data, they are able to respond much more quickly and effectively, and with greater confidence, to the needs of their policyholders in the affected areas.”
