BUNDESWEHR: SARAH floats in space

The satellite-based SARah reconnaissance system has started its "operational partial operation" this week, sending initial reconnaissance data from space. The first of a total of three satellites of the SARah system could be transferred to the ownership of the Federal government after successful acceptance alongside its corresponding ground system components.

This milestone reached in the SARah project guarantees the provision of satellite-based reconnaissance capabilities. The Bundeswehr thus ensures the long-term ability for global, day and weather-independent imaging reconnaissance. At the same time, the collected data supports crisis early warning and crisis management.

Last year, the approximately four-ton phased array satellite was launched into space with a Falcon-9 rocket from SpaceX from the American Vandenburg Space Force Base. Since reaching the target orbit, all necessary performance tests have been successfully completed until the transition to the current partial operation.

Behind the SARah project are a total of three German satellites and two ground stations. SAR stands for "Synthetic Aperture Radar," an imaging radar technique. SARah is the successor system to the reconnaissance satellites SAR-Lupe and is intended to ensure operational capability for at least ten years.

According to current plans, the two remaining reflector satellites will launch into space later this year to complete the SARah system.

BUNDESWEHR on the internet