ICEYE, a global provider of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery, recently successfully launched four new 25 cm resolution satellites, one of which features its next-generation SAR technology, to strengthen the company’s constellation, also known as the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation.
Designated Generation 4 (Gen4), this advanced satellite marks a significant milestone in the company’s evolution in SAR technology. These satellites will also extend ICEYE’s leadership in imaging for applications in natural catastrophe response and national security, aiming to deliver enhanced performance and broader application potential.
The satellites were lifted off on March 15, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, integrated via Exolaunch, and onboarded the Transporter-13 rideshare mission with SpaceX. Each spacecraft has established communication and routine operations.
Comparing other existing satellites in the market, ICEYE’s Gen4 not only provides the best SAR image quality available but also marks a significant breakthrough in SAR satellite technology.
This is built upon the company’s existing space heritage. Gen4 has doubled both the size of the SAR antenna and radiated power, enabling it to capture more than double the imaging area, ranging from 150 km to 400 km swath width, and deliver images with a 30% greater information density.
In addition, these improvements also include advanced orbit control for target detection and increased imaging capacity for congested areas in a single satellite pass, offering enhanced operational flexibility.
The introduction of Gen4 is poised to empower users with superior situation awareness, faster decision-making capabilities, and improved mission outcomes. It is expected to help the detection and classification of vessels, vehicles, or aircraft more easily, which is also particularly crucial in defense and intelligence contexts.
The company also plans to release more details about the full suite of Gen4 technology improvements along with user applications in the coming weeks.
With the newest launch, ICEYE has successfully launched 48 SAR satellites into orbit for the company and its customers since 2018 and continues with a planned launch rate of more than 20 new satellites annually in the coming years.
In January 2025, ICEYE’s first launch of the year successfully deployed four new satellites, which also underscores the accelerating advancements in SAR technology and its growing importance in addressing critical global challenges.
