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Capella 2, 3, 4, 5 (Sequoia, Whitney)
Capella 2 [Capella Space]
Capella Space of California is developing the Capella Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites. They are planned to operate in a 30 satellite constellation
The improved satellites about twice as large as the Capella 1 (Denali) prototype to accommodate a bigger sensor aperture for the X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) that can provide high-contrast, low-noisehigh-resolution sub-0.5 meter imagery. For this, it features a new 3.5-meter aperture deployed mesh-based reflector antenna.
The second satellite, Capella 2 or Sequoia, will be launched as a co-passenger on a Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) rocket in March 2020.
Three more satellites Capella 3, 4 and 5, the first batch of the Whitney sub-constellation, are to fly on an Indian PSLV in 2020.
Another satellite is planned for a launch in May 2020 on an Electron KS rocket into a 45° orbit at a nominal altitude of 525 km.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Earth observation, radar |
| Operator: | Capella Space |
| Contractors: | Capella Space |
| Equipment: | X-band SAR |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | None |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | ~100 kg |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capella 2 (Sequoia) | - | 2020 | CC SLC-40 | Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) | with SAOCOM 1B, GNOMES 1 | |
| Capella 3 (Whitney 1) | - | 2020 | Sr | PSLV | with ?, Capella 4, Capella 5 | |
| Capella 4 (Whitney 2) | - | 2020 | Sr | PSLV | with ?, Capella 3, Capella 5 | |
| Capella 5 (Whitney 3) | - | 2020 | Sr | PSLV | with ?, Capella 3, Capella 4 | |
| Capella x (Whitney x) | - | 2020 | OnS LC-1 | Electron KS | ||
| Capella y (Whitney y) | - | 2020 | ||||
| Capella z (Whitney z) | - | 2020 |
References:
- Capella Space: Website
- Space News: Capella unveils radar satellite design, 22 January 2020
