The first of three satellites for the Bundeswehr's Sarah reconnaissance system was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on June 18, as the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and Use announced. SARah is intended to replace the SARLupe system, which has been in use since 2007 and has reached the end of its lifespan. The satellite was aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
SARah consists of three satellites, a high-resolution radar sensor and two reflector satellites. Airbus Defense and Space built the radar satellite on behalf of the main contractor for SARah, OHB System. According to Airbus, the radar instrument is based on an active, phased array antenna and represents a further development of the Earth observation satellites TerraSAR, TanDEM-X and PAZ, which are already in successful operation. This technology offers the advantages of very fast alignment and very flexible shaping of the antenna beam to deliver footage in record time.
Neben den drei Satelliten gehören zwei Bodensegmente zum System, aus dem zunächst die Satelliten exakt positioniert und später vor allem die Daten ausgewertet und weitergeleitet werden.
The two reflector satellites built by OHB System are scheduled to be launched into space this year. Together, the satellites, in conjunction with the ground segments, are intended to meet user requirements regardless of time of day and weather conditions.
The operational lifespan in space should be at least ten years.
Editorial staff / gwh
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