Sensor · Spaceborne

SARah passive reflector SAR

Passive reflector-antenna synthetic-aperture radar payload type for SARah-2 and SARah-3.

Sensor

SARah passive reflector synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is the reflector-antenna SAR payload type associated with SARah-2 and SARah-3 within Germany's SARah radar reconnaissance system. The word passive describes the reflector-antenna architecture, not a passive radiometric measurement principle; the sensor principle remains active microwave SAR imaging. ^[1] ^[2]

SARah-2 and SARah-3 launched on 2023-12-24, with full operational capability described at launch as the next objective for the following year. Detailed imaging modes, centre frequency, swath, and resolution remain undisclosed; operational maturity remains at demonstration rather than confirmed full operational capability. ^[1]

The Bundeswehr operational timetable published on 2026-05-07 scheduled full operational capability of the SARah satellites for the fourth quarter of 2026. This was a planned system-level milestone, not an announcement of completed operational acceptance. ^[3]

SAR backscatter is demonstrated for the reflector-SAR payload type, but the confirmed public facts support a launched reflector-SAR architecture rather than detailed tasking specifications. ^[1]

Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Supply chain position

carried by SARah

Methods this sensor implements

Demonstrated

SAR backscatter imagingvia SARah
SARah-2/-3 are reflector-antenna SAR satellites in the SARah system.

Capable, undemonstrated

None on record.

Topics this relates to

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]Satellite launch 2.0 - SARah on its way into space, Bundeswehragency doc-2026-06-16
[2]Airbus-built SARah-1 ready for launchoperator press-2026-06-16
[3]Bundeswehr SARah capability outlookagency doc2026-05-072026-10-19
[4]OHB System AG SARah contract announcementoperator press-2026-06-16
[5]SARah satellite-based radar reconnaissance system, DLRagency doc-2026-06-16

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How to cite this page

Plain text

SARah passive reflector SAR. EO-Atlas, SpectraWorks B.V. https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/sarah-passive-sar (CC BY 4.0)

BibTeX

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