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Capella X-band SAR

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Missions → Capella Space SAR constellation (Operational)

X-band synthetic-aperture radar payload flown across Capella Space satellites.

Sensor

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]

Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Supply chain position

carried by Capella Space SAR constellation

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

SAR backscatter imagingvia Capella Space SAR constellation
Capella X-band SAR acquires spotlight, sliding spotlight and stripmap SAR imagery.
InSAR - surface deformationvia Capella Space SAR constellation
Capella Acadia repeat-track precision supports InSAR use of Capella SAR imagery.

Capable, undemonstrated

None on record.

Topics this relates to

Geology and geohazards InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Permafrost and ground ice InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Pipeline integrity InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Subsidence InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Terrain elevation InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Transport infrastructure monitoring InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)well suited

Coastal erosion InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)adequate

Groundwater and terrestrial water storage InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)adequate

Snow water equivalent InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)adequate

Flooding InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)marginal

Glacier and ice-sheet mass InSAR - surface deformation(demonstrated)marginal

Ocean surface winds SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited

Sea state SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited

Wind energy siting SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited

Economic activity intelligence SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)adequate

Snow cover SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)adequate

Ocean currents SAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)marginal

Sources

[1]Capella support: SAR sensor characteristicsoperator datasheet2025-05-132026-06-16
[2]Capella SAR data product and collection modesoperator marketing-2026-06-16
[3]Capella SAR instrument record, WMO OSCARagency doc-2026-06-16
[4]Capella X-SAR instrument summary, CEOS databaseagency doc-2026-06-16

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/capella-sar Markdown twin → Field definitions → Suggest a correction →

How to cite this page

Plain text

Capella X-band SAR. EO-Atlas, SpectraWorks B.V. https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/capella-sar (CC BY 4.0)

BibTeX

@misc{eoatlas:products:sensor:capella-sar,
  title = {Capella X-band SAR},
  author = {{EO-Atlas}},
  publisher = {SpectraWorks B.V.},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
  url = {https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/capella-sar}
}