SARah 2, 3 (SARah-Passiv FM 1, 2) (original) (raw)
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SARah 2 [OHB System]
SARah is the planned follow-on system for the SAR-Lupe radar satellite constellation operated by the German armed forces (Bundeswehr). SARah consists of one active phased array-antenna satellite built by EADS Astrium and two passive reflector antenna satellites provided by OHB-System. This system is planned to provide a higher resolution than the predecessor SAR-Lupe. Authorisation of the program is planned for June 2013.
The SARah 2 and 3 satellites form the second component of the SARah system. These satellites will be based on the reflector-antenna technology of the SAR-Lupe satellites. They will fly in formation with SARah 1.
The three satellite constellation is planned at a cost of 800 million Euro.
The satellites were to be launched together on a Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) booster between November 2020 and September 2021, but were delayed to December 2023. They successfully reached orbit, but both suffered deployment issues with the antenna reflectors. In May 2025 it has been reported, that through some complex maneuveres the deployment was successfully completed.
| Nation: | Germany |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Reconnaissance, Radar |
| Operator: | Bundeswehr |
| Contractors: | OHB-System GmbH |
| Equipment: | Reflector-antenna SAR |
| Configuration: | SmartLEO-Agile |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | ~ 1800 kg |
| Orbit: | 500 km × 500 km, 88.2� |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARah 2 (SARah-Passiv FM 1) | 2023-204A | 24.12.2023 | Va SLC-4E | Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) | with SARah 3 |
| SARah 3 (SARah-Passiv FM 2) | 2023-204B | 24.12.2023 | Va SLC-4E | Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) | with SARah 2 |
References:
- Space News: Workshare To be Divided on Germany�s Next-generation Military Radar Satellites, Jun. 20, 2013
- OHB-System: OHB System AG awarded contract for the development and integration of the SARah radar satellite reconnaissance system for the German federal armed forces