Capella X-band SAR

Capella X-band SAR is an active X-band synthetic-aperture radar payload family used on Capella orbital SAR satellites, with Capella Space as the current operator and provider.^[1] The family is specified for 9.4-9.9 GHz operation, up to 600 MHz chirp bandwidth, single-polarisation HH or VV collection, and standard 15-50 degree look angles within a full 5-50 degree access range.^[1]

Supported collection classes include Spotlight, Sliding Spotlight and Stripmap, and Capella's SAR data material specifies Spotlight Ultra products at 0.25 m azimuth and 0.25 m slant-range resolution over a 5 km collection width.^[2] The payload has demonstrated SAR backscatter use through Capella collections and InSAR surface-deformation use in the Capella SAR mission family.^[1][3]

Heritage records retain narrower values for older configurations: WMO records single-polarisation HH, and CEOS records 500 MHz bandwidth, while the current Capella specification gives HH or VV and up to 600 MHz.^[3][4][1] That distinction is buyer-relevant when comparing Sequoia-era references with current Capella archive and tasking support.^[1]