ICEYE launches two SAR satellites, expanding Earth observation capabilities
HELSINKI, Finland - ICEYE in Helsinki, Finland announced it has launched two new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites into orbit, expanding its capacity for high-resolution Earth observation. The satellites were deployed as part of the Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission with SpaceX, lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Calif.
The company confirmed that both satellites have established communication and are now undergoing routine operational checks. With this launch, ICEYE has placed 40 satellites into orbit since 2018, including nine launched in 2024.
The new satellites are positioned in mid-inclination orbits, which offer more than double the collection opportunities at middle latitudes compared to polar orbits. These mid-inclination orbits provide increased imaging opportunities for regions within ±45 degrees latitude, where many ICEYE customers have specific interests. For areas outside these latitudes, the company’s polar-orbiting satellites continue to provide frequent revisit capabilities.
Related: ICEYE US announces NASA order for SAR data under commercial program
“The launch marks another significant milestone in ICEYE's ability to provide our customers with a rich diversity of collection opportunities,” said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE. “We bolster our industry-leading SAR constellation and expand our customers' collection opportunities in the areas most important to them.”
The satellites are part of ICEYE’s broader effort to maintain what it describes as the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation operated by a single entity. The company’s system integrates both mid-inclination and polar orbits, allowing for high-frequency data collection worldwide.
In addition to its growing satellite network, ICEYE has introduced several new capabilities this year, including Dwell Precise, a 25-centimeter imaging mode offering high-fidelity data, and an API that enables direct satellite tasking by customers. The company also launched ICEYE Ocean Vision, a maritime intelligence platform designed to enhance situational awareness in ocean regions.
