OHB System (Hall 2, E24A) has designed SAR-Lupe which will give the German defence ministry unrestricted and independent access to an overall satellite reconnaissance system by 2005.
SAR-Lupe is a synthetic aperture radar system made up of five small satellites and a ground control segment. Similar satellite systems are already used in telecommunications, but this is the first of its kind to be used in earth observation and reconnaissance.
Weighing about 770kg (1,700lb) each, they are much lighter than existing reconnaissance satellites which can weigh 2-3t. The system yields high resolution pictures from a height of about 500km (310 miles) and allows for a quicker revisit time of 10h, reducing by days the time it takes from initial command to image receipt.
The system is not affected by weather conditions and operates day and night, delivering images from nearly all over the world.
Source: Flight Daily News