Satellite giants unite: New era in Japan's space capabilities
The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE has partnered with the Japanese company IHI Corporation, which specializes in heavy industry. The aim is to create a constellation of SAR satellites for civilian and military use. This collaboration highlights the capabilities Japan will gain.
The planned constellation, consisting of up to 24 satellites, is intended to provide observation data for the military, public administration, and the commercial sector. The cooperation agreement was signed during the DSEI Japan defense trade show held every two years at Makuhari Messe near Tokyo.
As part of the collaboration, IHI and ICEYE plan to establish a satellite production facility in Japan to meet the country's needs. This initiative aims to support Japan's space ambitions by developing the industry and enhancing national security. The project still requires the finalization of agreements and official approvals.
The event was commented on by the CEOs of both companies.
SAR satellites — peeking where optical satellites cannot
Observation satellites can be divided into two main groups. The first group consists of optical satellites, which provide very high-resolution images, including infrared. However, atmospheric conditions, such as dense clouds, limit their operation.
The second category uses SAR technology, which uses radar to obtain high-resolution images, even through clouds. These images accurately reproduce the shapes of objects, although they sometimes require support from traditional satellite images.
The MikroSAR satellites from ICEYE are constructed weighing approximately 220 to 440 pounds, equipped with a radar operating in the X-band. In addition to recognizing terrain obscured by clouds, this type of satellite can distinguish between decoys and real machines based on differences in the radar signatures of the materials used.
