XpressSAR Inc. of Arlington, Virginia, this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to purchase from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) a constellation of up to four TecSAR synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites along with associated support services for launch, in-orbit testing, commissioning and establishing ground operations to control the constellation. IAI is responsible for the manufacturing of the satellites and other services needed to deliver a turnkey operational constellation in space.
The TecSAR satellites are substantially smaller, lighter and more agile than competing satellites in their category, and provide exceptional maneuverability and image resolution quality. Their unique combination of electronic beam steering modes and mechanical agility makes them the perfect space surveillance system, by far the leaders in their category.
Wolfgang Biedermann, CEO of XpressSAR Inc., said in a statement: “After a long review process of the different solutions available on the market, we are excited to partner with IAI to offer a perfect surveillance system from space using IAI’s excellent and cost-effective SAR satellites.”
He added: “With IAI’s advanced satellites capabilities we will provide the most up-to-date radar imaging technology for high quality information. Our focus is to use cutting-edge but proven technology to offer our future customers reliably the highest product quality while still acting as an innovator and market disruptor”.
Boaz Levi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IAI’s Systems, Missiles and Space Group said in a statement: “Through this collaboration, XpressSAR will be able to offer state-of-the-art satellite constellation for multi-customer use, with IAI’s technological excellence and operational knowhow. For the past three decades, IAI has been developing and operating satellites for various purposes for the defense needs of Israel and customers worldwide. We are excited to work with XpressSAR in developing and manufacturing the advanced satellite constellation.”