Satellite uses SAR images to capture the sharpest images in the world

Satellite uses SAR images to capture the sharpest images in the world

Above: Capella’s new Spot images capture the Jiuquan Launch Center where China recently launched the new CERES-1 commercial rocket. The launch pad areas of the spaceport and the assembly point are just clearly visible in the radar image and an extended version shows a closure near the launch pad. Credit: Capella Space

A satellite carrying a camera that is as powerful as it can capture an image of almost anything on Earth with crystal-clear resolution is now offering its services to the public.

The Capella-2 satellite, developed by San Francisco-based Capella Space, uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology to capture highly sharp images for use with military, environmental, energy and law enforcement sources. Even regular people can register online to take pictures of anywhere on the planet (as long as they get permission from the U.S. Army International Traffic Regulations).

With the ability to identify objects as small as 50 cm x 50 cm (approximately 20 inches x 20 inches), Capella’s breaking technology makes it the world’s tallest satellite camera. It exceeds the resolutions of the nearest competition – there are few competitors in the field of SAR photography – which can only recognize those objects that are not less than about five meters, or just under 200 inches.

One way Capella differs from all competition is by using SAR and regular optical image processing that images can be captured day or night, and whatever the weather.

“It turns out that half the world is at night, and half the world is, on average, cloudy,” said Chief Payam Banazadeh, a former systems engineer at NASA’s laboratory. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. “When you put those two together, about 75 percent of the Earth, at any given time, is going to be cloudy, overnight, or it’ll be both.”

Satellite uses SAR images to capture the sharpest images in the world

Above: The metabolic and piping units clearly display radar signals at the ExxonMobil chemical plant in Singapore on Jurong Island. Extremely high resolution extended in views show the granular properties of an oil tanker docked near floating roof storage tanks. Credit: Capella Space

Banazadeh said his goal for the four years of research was to “create a new tool for humanitarian work and human progress.” Capella 2, he said, “allows us to monitor our planet in all weathers and in light conditions and to do so reliably and transparently.”

Interestingly, Banazadeh was inspired by tragedy. He said he was overwhelmed by slow global efforts to find a Malaysian Aircraft Flight 370 wreck that killed the 239 on board after it mysteriously disappeared in 2014. No reason has ever been proven .

“Governments around the world sent ships and vessels to look for this plane, and the crash took forever to play outside,” Banazadeh said. “I remember watching TV and thinking, ‘We have failed like Homo sapiens if a large plane has gone missing with 280 people on it and we have no idea where it went missing,’ what happened, and what’s going on. ‘”

He said there was a need to “better understand how to track things” and “better understand the planet we live on.” “

One satellite is now in orbit, but the company plans to launch two more aboard the SpaceX platform soon. Government contracts, including one with the U.S. Navy, will soon add several more to the navy.

Satellite uses SAR images to capture the sharpest images in the world

Above: Aksum Airport was badly damaged during the Ethioray Tigray conflict. Capella’s very high spot image identifies 23 trenches dug directly over the runway to prevent its use. Close closure shows the trenches and debris strongly against the dark tarmac. Credit: Capella Space

Reports earlier this week erroneously showed that the Capella is as powerful as it can see through buildings. Banazadeh quickly took to social media to quell that rumor.

“Vaccines don’t have microchips and SAR can’t see through walls into your living room !!!” He said in a Twitter post Friday.

But it is powerful enough to monitor wildfires, oil scouring operations, regions devastated by climate change and illegal poaching.

“SAR allows us, our first responders, our policy makers, and the world to see,” Banazadeh said. “That’s crucial.”


The small satellite that pays big shares


Further information:
www.capellaspace.com/capella-u… mercial-sar-imagery /

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