# SARah passive reflector SAR
*sensor . products*

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

## Specifications
- **manufacturer**: ohb-system
- **deployment context**: orbital
- **product status**: demonstration
- **sensor**: {"instrument_family":"sar","measurement_principle":"active","frequency_band":"X","spec_disclosure":"undisclosed","notes":"Bundeswehr identifies SARah-2/-3 as reflector satellites; public reporting indicates delayed/non-routine commissioning, so this payload is kept at demonstration confidence."}
- **entity type**: sensor
- **last verified date**: 2026-06-16
- **verified by**: agency-doc
- **claim status**: agency-sourced
- **provider**: ohb-system
- **attributes**: {"kind":"sensor","manufacturer":"ohb-system","deployment_context":"orbital","product_status":"demonstration","description":"Passive reflector-antenna synthetic-aperture radar payload type for SARah-2 and SARah-3.","sensor":"{\"instrument_family\":\"sar\",\"measurement_principle\":\"active\",\"frequency_band\":\"X\",\"spec_disclosure\":\"undisclosed\",\"notes\":\"Bundeswehr identifies SARah-2/-3 as reflector satellites; public reporting indicates delayed/non-routine commissioning, so this payload is kept at demonstration confidence.\"}"}

## Editorial
SARah passive reflector 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. [^bundeswehr-sarah-2] [^airbus-sarah-1]

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. [^bundeswehr-sarah-2]

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. [^bundeswehr-sarah-2]

## Compositional position
- sarah (missions) --[mission_payloads]--> SARah passive reflector SAR

## Sources
- [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=2026-06-16
- [ohb-sarah-contract] | OHB System AG SARah contract announcement | https://www.ohb.de/en/ad-hoc-mitteilungen/ohb-system-ag-erhaelt-auftrag-fuer-entwicklung-und-bau-des-radarsatelliten-aufklaerungssystems-sarah-fuer-die-deutsche-bundeswehr | tier=operator-press | accessed=2026-06-16
- [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=2026-06-16
- [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=2026-06-16

---
Source: https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/sarah-passive-sar
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)