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Successful Launch Second German Sar-Lupe Observation Satellite
Cannes, France (SPX) Jul 03, 2007 The second SAR-Lupe satellite, part of the German observation system, was successfully boosted into orbit yesterday from the Plesetsk space centre by a Russian Cosmos-3M rocket at 21:38:41 hours CEST. SAR-Lupe provides high-resolution images of the ground 24 hours a day to the German Ministry of Defence. Thales Alenia Space has supplied the Sensor Electronic units forming the core of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), set to provide high-resolution radar imagery to the German defence forces. The SAR-Lupe program, which has a life-time of 10 years, comprises a constellation of five identical small satellites (720 kg - 250 W) which will be positioned into 3 quasi polar orbital planes at 500 km altitude, and a ground segment. The construction and the launch contract of the five satellites was awarded in 2001 to a consortium of 13 European companies led by OHB-System AG as prime contractor. The first SAR-Lupe satellite was launched on December 19, 2006. It is supplying high-resolution images and is operating very successfully and reliably. Three more SAR-Lupe spacecraft are scheduled for launch at intervals of four to six months until the constellation is completed in 2008. This mission is based on the most sophisticated technologies in SAR radar field, able to get images under any weather or light conditions (day or night). The system will supply recent and high definition images of virtually any region in the world. It will provide image in X-band and offer a spatial resolution of less than 1 metre. It may operate in "spot light" mode to improve the spatial resolution. Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the design and development of the Sensor Electronic Units, comprising radiofrequency, processing and control sub-units. The ground segments for SAR-Lupe and the French Helios II systems will be inter-connected, so that each country can use the other's satellite and receive imagery. This data combination will significantly improve the reconnaissance capabilities of the two partner nations. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Sar-Lupe Observation Satellite at OHB-System Military Space News at SpaceWar.com
Lockheed Martin-Led Team Completes Integrated Baseline Review For Space Radar
Denver CO (SPX) Jun 29, 2007The Lockheed Martin Space Radar team has successfully completed on-schedule an Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) with the U.S. Air Force, an important program milestone that precedes the System Requirements Review. Space Radar is being developed to provide global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) for the military and intelligence community. |
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