ICEYE launches 4 new SAR satellites
Featuring Gen4 technology
ICEYE has launched four new 25cm resolution satellites. This latest launch reinforces the company’s SAR satellite constellation, which remains the largest globally. Among the four satellites is ICEYE’s Generation 4 (Gen4) satellite, a cutting-edge advancement in SAR technology that promises to elevate the company’s imaging and disaster response operations capability.
The satellites were deployed via Exolaunch as part of the Transporter-13 rideshare mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. The launch occurred on March 15, 2025, with each satellite establishing communication with the ground team.
Routine commissioning operations have since commenced, marking a milestone in ICEYE’s ongoing mission to revolutionise Earth observation capabilities for various applications.
Gen4 technology
The introduction of the Gen4 satellite marks a significant breakthrough for ICEYE, both in terms of technology and operational capability. Building upon the company’s previous successes, the Gen4 satellite features a substantial upgrade in synthetic aperture radar imaging.
This next-generation technology is designed to provide the highest-quality SAR images available, with substantial improvements across key areas such as imaging area, information density, and operational flexibility.
The Gen4 satellite has an enhanced SAR antenna that has doubled in size, increasing its ability to capture a broader range of data with a wider swath. The new satellite also doubles the radiated SAR power, effectively enabling it to cover a larger area and capture more detailed images.
The Gen4 satellite offers a swath width ranging from 150-400km, more than double the coverage of its predecessors. This expanded capability translates into 30% more information density per image, providing users with more prosperous, detailed data for improved analysis.
In addition to these impressive technical specifications, the Gen4 satellite’s improvements include advanced orbit control systems that allow for better precision in target imaging. The satellite’s increased imaging capacity ensures it can capture densely populated areas in a single pass, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. This development will have far-reaching applications in natural catastrophe response and national security, where timely and accurate data is crucial.
Situational awareness
The Gen4 satellite’s enhanced capabilities are expected to have a transformative impact on multiple industries. With its superior image quality and increased coverage, the Gen4 satellite will provide users with enhanced situational awareness and the ability to make faster, more informed decisions. These capabilities are particularly critical in disaster response, where the need for accurate, real-time information can mean the difference between life and death.
Furthermore, the satellite’s advanced imaging technology will make detecting and classifying objects such as vessels, vehicles, and aircraft more straightforward, essential for defence and intelligence operations. As geopolitical tensions continue to rise, the need for cutting-edge surveillance and reconnaissance tools has never been more apparent. ICEYE’s Gen4 satellite is poised to become a crucial asset for governments and organisations worldwide seeking to strengthen their national security and intelligence capabilities.
ICEYE’s commitment to providing the most advanced Earth observation technology will continue to support the growing demand for space-based solutions in global defence markets. The company aims to be the primary provider of critical infrastructure for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to allied nations, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of space-based security and monitoring.
New plans
The launch of the Gen4 satellite is the latest in a series of significant milestones for ICEYE, a global leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imaging for high-fidelity Earth observation, persistent monitoring, and natural catastrophe solutions.
Since its founding in 2018, the company has launched 48 SAR satellites into orbit, building the world’s largest and most advanced SAR constellation. The deployment of these satellites is a testament to ICEYE’s innovation and commitment to providing reliable, high-quality Earth observation services.
ICEYE plans to expand its satellite constellation, launching more than 20 new satellites annually in 2025, 2026, and beyond. This ambitious expansion strategy will further solidify ICEYE’s position as the leader in SAR satellite technology, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of the industry for years to come.
In January 2025, ICEYE deployed its first batch of four new satellites, further enhancing its capabilities and increasing its real-time ability to monitor the Earth. With each new launch, ICEYE strengthens its ability to deliver high-resolution imagery and real-time monitoring to customers across various industries, from disaster response and environmental monitoring to defence and national security.
Global impact
Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, spoke about the significance of the Gen4 satellite launch: “With the launch of the Generation 4 satellite, ICEYE continues to lead innovation in the SAR satellite industry.
“As we aim to be the primary provider of critical infrastructure for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to allied nations, our SAR development serves the growing demand for space-based technology in the global defence markets.”
Modrzewski’s words reflect ICEYE’s broader mission to provide cutting-edge Earth observation tools that can support various critical applications. Whether for monitoring natural disasters, improving situational awareness in conflict zones, or advancing national security efforts, ICEYE’s satellite constellation is increasingly essential in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
As space technology continues to evolve, ICEYE remains at the forefront of the industry, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in SAR satellite imaging. With the launch of the Gen4 satellite, ICEYE is poised to take another significant step forward in its mission to deliver world-class Earth observation capabilities to customers around the globe.
In the coming weeks, ICEYE plans to release further details about the full suite of technology improvements offered by the Gen4 satellite and its potential applications for customers across various sectors. This commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction will ensure that ICEYE remains a key player in the rapidly growing space-based Earth observation industry.
New era
The launch of ICEYE’s Gen4 satellite marks a new synthetic aperture radar satellite technology era. With its groundbreaking advancements in imaging quality, coverage, and operational flexibility, the Gen4 satellite is set to enhance ICEYE’s leadership in SAR satellite imaging for natural catastrophe response and national security.
As the company continues to expand its constellation and innovate with new technologies, ICEYE is well-positioned to meet the growing global demand for space-based Earth observation solutions. The future of SAR technology is bright, and ICEYE is leading the charge.
Image: With each new launch, ICEYE strengthens its ability to deliver high-resolution imagery and real-time monitoring to customers across various industries. Credit: ICEYE
