Preparing to launch a low-cost satellite can take pictures of the earth through the night

Recently, a technology company specializing in the development of small civilian satellites ICEYE said it is moving ahead with the development and deployment of SAR-aperture aperture radar technology.

Recently, the Finnish-based company announced that it has raised $ 13 million in a new fundraiser led by Draper Nexus, including investments from True Ventures, Lifeline Ventures, Space Angels and Draper Associates. Since its founding in 2015, the company has raised a total of $ 18.7 million.

In an interview with Ars Technica, CEO and co-founder - Rafal Modrzewski said ICEYE plans to launch its technology within the next 12 months. He plans to begin launching a series of company products by 2019. "In the first two years we were primarily a technology company, and we are working with customers to find out the needs. "they said, " We have perfected the idea now. "

ICEYE SAR satellite render image will be launched into space.

Unlike most optical devices on satellites orbiting the Earth's orbit to capture the planet's image, ICEYE uses SAR-synthesized aperture radar technology . The company's satellite will use the motion of a radar antenna combined with the amount of time the device travels through a target to create multi-dimensional images of the target surface even when elected. it is cloudy. The "composite" part of the antenna is actually because the small antenna moving over a large distance can create a large synthetic aperture. ICEYE satellites will be about the size of a mini fridge.

Modrzewski also acknowledged that government satellites could produce better images and data, generally more comprehensive. However, launching low-cost satellites with an intuitive user interface makes it easy to configure satellites to meet the specific needs of customers, which is what gives value to products. of ICEYE."We are building something that is affordable, smaller, cheaper and used globally," he said.

In theory, users can open a web browser, select an area on the earth and they will have images on the ground almost in real time. For example, with all data collected from satellite imagery, farmers can calculate soil moisture or insurance companies can use data to verify damage. Modrzewski said a number of other situations where this technology could also be applied such as data mining from aircraft accidents at night, volcanic eruptions or avalanches.

Previously, ICEYE and Vector Space Systems announced the cooperation between the two sides with a contract for 21 launches of satellites, which will be conducted over a period of four years, which can start in 2018. Guards Compact crystals are likely to be brought up to space by room-mounts, which are other small satellite missiles.