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EO·Atlas / Sensors / ICEYE X-band SAR
Sensor · Spaceborne

ICEYE X-band SAR

Compiled from public sources on 2026-05-25. Not independently verified by ICEYE.

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Missions → ICEYE-X1 (Ended) , RNLAF SAR-1 (Planned) , ICEYE SAR constellation (Operational)

X-band synthetic aperture radar imager operating at 9.65 GHz, the sole imaging payload of the ICEYE satellite constellation. ICEYE has fielded three sensor generations: Gen 2 (300 MHz chirp bandwidth, 1 m finest resolution), Gen 3 (600 MHz, 0.5 m), and Gen 3.5 (1200 MHz, 0.25 m). All generations use VV single-polarisation and an electronically steered phased-array antenna. Modes span Dwell Precise (0.25 m, 5 x 5 km) through Scan Wide (27 m, 200 x 300 km). Satellites are ITAR-free and operate in sun-synchronous orbits. As of early 2026 the constellation comprises 60+ satellites.

Sensor

ICEYE X-band SAR is an X-band synthetic aperture radar imager operating at 9.65 GHz, forming the sole imaging payload of the ICEYE satellite constellation.[1] The constellation comprised 60+ satellites as of early 2026 and is registered with WMO OSCAR.[2]

Three sensor generations have been fielded. Gen 2 operates at 300 MHz chirp bandwidth with a finest ground resolution of 1 m. Gen 3 operates at 600 MHz with finest resolution 0.5 m. Gen 3.5 operates at 1200 MHz with finest resolution 0.25 m.[1] All generations use VV single-polarisation with an electronically steered phased-array antenna and no dual-pol or cross-pol mode. ICEYE satellites are described as ITAR-free. Gen 3.5 satellites support mid-inclination orbits in addition to sun-synchronous orbit.

Current generation performance specifications are sourced from operator engineering documentation; no tier-1 agency or peer-reviewed characterisation of the Gen 3.5 instrument was identified as of 2026-05-25.

Imaging modes span sub-metre resolution spot modes to wide-area scan modes:[3]

Mode Resolution (m) Swath
Dwell Precise 0.25 x 0.25 5 x 5 km
Dwell Fine / Spot Fine 0.5 x 0.5 5 x 5 km
Dwell / Spot 1 x 1 5 x 5 km
Spot Extended Area 1 x 1 15 km
Strip 3 x 3 30 km
Scan 15 x 15 100 km
Scan Wide 27 x 27 200 x 300 km
Methodology Evidence class Source
SAR backscatter / change detection Demonstrated [1]
InSAR surface deformation Capable (pending review) [3]
Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

ICEYE-X1 ——— this payload
RNLAF SAR-1 ——— this payload
ICEYE SAR constellation ——— this payload
this ——— ICEYE-X1 (Ended) flies on
this ——— RNLAF SAR-1 (Planned) flies on
this ——— ICEYE SAR constellation (Operational) flies on
Methods this sensor implements
Demonstrated
Capable, undemonstrated
Topics this relates to
Geology and geohazardsInSAR - surface deformation(capable)well suited
Permafrost and ground iceInSAR - surface deformation(capable)well suited
Pipeline integrityInSAR - surface deformation(capable)well suited
SubsidenceInSAR - surface deformation(capable)well suited
Transport infrastructure monitoringInSAR - surface deformation(capable)well suited
Coastal erosionInSAR - surface deformation(capable)adequate
Groundwater and terrestrial water storageInSAR - surface deformation(capable)adequate
Snow water equivalentInSAR - surface deformation(capable)adequate
FloodingInSAR - surface deformation(capable)marginal
Glacier and ice-sheet massInSAR - surface deformation(capable)marginal
Ocean surface windsSAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited
Sea stateSAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited
Wind energy sitingSAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)well suited
Economic activity intelligenceSAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)adequate
Ocean currentsSAR backscatter imaging(demonstrated)marginal
Sources
Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/iceye-sar Markdown twin → Field definitions →