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SAR-Lupe 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

SAR-Lupe [OHB-System]

The SAR-Lupe radar reconnaissance spacecraft - the first german military satellites - feature a synthetic apperure radar (SAR), which has a spatial resolution of less than 1 meter. Due to the intelligent combination of existing technologies, SAR-Lupe operates independently of weather conditions on a 7/24 basis. It delivers up-to-date and highly detailed images from virtually all regions of the world. Data os transmitted by a X-band transmitter and encrypted S-band ise used for telemetry and command transmissions both direct to ground stations or via SAR-Lupe intersatellite links.

The system consists of a constellation of five identical satellites in three orbital planes, which was built at a cost of +250 million Euro.

The launch of the first of five satellites was planned for the beginning of 2005 with a Russian Kosmos-3M boosters with modified fairings to accomodate the large antenna, but the launch was delayed to end 2006. The overall system was completed in 2008 to deliver radar images for the German Armed Forces for at least ten years.

Nation: Germany
Type / Application: Reconnaissance, Radar
Operator: Bundeswehr
Contractors: OHB-System GmbH
Equipment: SAR, intersatellite S-band transmitter, X-band transmitter
Configuration: SmartLEO
Propulsion: Hydrazin thrusters
Power: Solar cells, batteries
Lifetime: 10 years
Mass: 770 kg
Orbit: typical 470 km × 505 km, 98.18°
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
SAR-Lupe 1 2006-060A 19.12.2006 Pl LC-132/1 Kosmos-3M
SAR-Lupe 2 2007-030A 02.07.2007 Pl LC-132/1 Kosmos-3M
SAR-Lupe 3 2007-053A 01.11.2007 Pl LC-132/1 Kosmos-3M with Rubin 7-AIS
SAR-Lupe 4 2008-014A 27.03.2008 Pl LC-132/1 Kosmos-3M
SAR-Lupe 5 2008-036A 22.07.2008 Pl LC-132/1 Kosmos-3M

References:

Further German military SAR missions:

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