StriX series, Synspective Inc.’s small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites provide two observation modes: Stripmap and Sliding Spotlight.

The image of Mumbai, a densely populated city on India’s west coast, was taken by StriX-α, Synspective’s first satellite launched in Dec 2020, using Sliding Spotlight mode.

The radar sends pulses that illuminate Earth’s surface over a large elliptical antenna footprint.

 

Stripmap mode
The satellite look direction is constant and approximately perpendicular to its track in the space. Consequently the antenna footprint is always to the side of the satellite.
Stripmap mode allows us to obtain multiple images in succession along the track of the satellite.

 

Sliding Spotlight mode
By stearing the pulse direction opposite to the satellite’s flight, antenna footprint moves over the earth’s surface more slowly than Stripmap mode.
This allows us to obtain a higher resolution image than Stripmap.

 

Flood Damage Assessment
Mumbai is experiencing frequent flooding due to heavy rains and storm surges. In order to respond to such disasters, we provide solutions to assess and quickly respond to a wide range of flooding damage. In addition SAR satellites enable all-weather ground observation, and we use AI technology and other advanced analysis methods to identify the extent of impact on roads and buildings.

 

Analyzing the flood damage from the Rokkaku River in Saga Prefecture (Kyushu).

Analysing the Abukuma River Flood (2019) with Flood Damage Assessment