# SARah
*missions*

## Specifications
- **operator**: bundeswehr
- **actual launch**: 2022-06-18
- **current status**: degraded
- **orbit type**: polar Earth orbit; public operator pages do not disclose detailed operational orbit for the full constellation
- **tasking supported**: true
- **current geographic priority**: global day/night all-weather radar reconnaissance
- **launch vehicle**: spacex-falcon-9
- **entity type**: mission
- **last verified date**: 2026-06-14
- **verified by**: agency-doc
- **claim status**: agency-sourced
- **provider**: bundeswehr
- **attributes**: {"operator":"bundeswehr","actual_launch":"2022-06-18","current_status":"degraded","orbit_type":"polar Earth orbit; public operator pages do not disclose detailed operational orbit for the full constellation","tasking_supported":true,"current_geographic_priority":"global day/night all-weather radar reconnaissance","launch_vehicle":"spacex-falcon-9"}

## Editorial
SARah (Satellite-based Radar Reconnaissance System) is Germany's three-satellite synthetic aperture radar constellation replacing the earlier SAR-Lupe system. It is operated by the Bundeswehr with DLR GSOC responsible for satellite operations. The constellation includes one active-phased-array SAR satellite built by Airbus DS (SARah-1, launched 2022-06-18) and two passive reflector-array SAR satellites built by OHB System (SARah-2 and SARah-3, launched 2023-12-24). The system provides all-weather, day-and-night wide-area radar reconnaissance. As of mid-2026, public reporting indicates SARah-1 is operational while the two OHB reflector satellites have not reached routine operational service; mission status is therefore recorded as degraded with medium confidence, pending official Bundeswehr operational acceptance statements. Precise imaging modes, orbit parameters, and full-operational-capability dates are not publicly disclosed in authoritative open sources. [^dlr-sarah][^airbus-sarah-1][^bundeswehr-sarah-2][^aviationweek-sarah-recovery]

## Compositional position
- SARah --[mission_payloads]--> sarah-active-sar (products)
- SARah --[mission_payloads]--> sarah-passive-sar (products)
- SARah --[related-topic]--> disaster-damage-assessment (topics)
- SARah --[related-topic]--> transport-infrastructure (topics)
- SARah --[related-topic]--> urban-change (topics)

## Sources
- [dlr-sarah] | SARah satellite-based radar reconnaissance system, DLR | https://www.dlr.de/en/research-and-transfer/security-and-defence/defence-research/sarah-satellite-based-radar-reconnaissance-system | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-14
- [airbus-sarah-1] | Airbus-built SARah-1 ready for launch | https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-06-airbus-built-earth-observation-satellite-sarah-1-ready-for-launch | tier=operator-press | accessed=2026-06-14
- [bundeswehr-sarah-2] | Satellite launch 2.0 - SARah on its way into space, Bundeswehr | https://www.bundeswehr.de/en/organization/equipment/news/sarah-on-its-way-into-space | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-14
- [aviationweek-sarah-recovery] | Germany Sees Hope For SARah Satellite Recovery, Aviation Week | https://aviationweek.com/space/satellites/germany-sees-hope-sarah-satellite-recovery | tier=third-party | accessed=2026-06-14

---
Source: https://eo-atlas.org/missions/sarah
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)