JAXA: 36 small SAR satellites, operating simultaneously: with QPS Research Institute
QPS Laboratory / JAXA
On February 26, 2020, a memorandum of understanding was concluded for the “Semi-real-time data provision service business using small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation.”
This time, we will collaborate on the “Semi-real-time data provision service business”.
It operates 36 small SAR satellites simultaneously.
Near real-time: Data provision service
It promotes the use of data observed every 10 minutes in near real time.
By combining images every 10 minutes with climate, market, and economic data, a wide range of applications is expected.
QPS Institute:
We have developed a 100kg / small SAR satellite equipped with a large and lightweight antenna for small satellites.
Compared to conventional SAR satellites (large antennas / large power consumption), it achieves “1/20 the mass and 1/100 the cost”.
Small SAR satellite: System construction
Currently, we are building a small SAR satellite system.
On December 11, 2019, the first small SAR satellite “Izanagi” (* 2) was launched in Japan.
JAXA: On-board imaging device
JAXA images huge amounts of observation data obtained from SAR sensors on satellites at high speed.
Development of “SAR data on-orbit imaging device” (* 3) (on-board imaging device) has already been completed.
On-board imaging equipment: shorten processing time
After the observation, image processing is performed in orbit in advance using the waiting time until data transmission to the ground station.
This can significantly reduce the time required to provide data to users.
(* 3) “On-orbit imaging device for SAR data”:
An on-board imaging device jointly developed by JAXA and Al-Wet Technology.
In this device, data processing that was conventionally performed by a computer on the ground,
The algorithm is made into firmware by FPGA (field programmable gate array),
This is the world’s first satellite-mounted device.
Fields of use:
By processing SAR observation data in orbiting satellites
The amount of downlink from the satellite can be greatly reduced,
It is expected to be used for sea area observation and ship motion monitoring, for which needs are increasing.
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2020/02/20200226-2_j.html
JAXA | Joint Development of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Data On-Orbit Imaging System