Synspective Inc., a provider of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite data and analytics solutions, is pleased to announce that our StriX SAR satellite series has successfully acquired some of Japan’s highest-resolution images in two observation modes.

In the staring spotlight mode, we achieved Japan’s highest resolution, with a ground-range resolution of 0.46 m × azimuth resolution of 0.25 m. Additionally, using the sliding spotlight mode, which provides one of the highest resolutions in the Japanese satellite sector, we acquired images with a ground-range resolution of 0.46 m × azimuth resolution of 0.5 m.

■ Observation Modes

Sliding Spotlight Mode In this mode, the antenna beam is steered during data acquisition to allow a more extended observation of a selected area. Because the antenna beam moves slower, more data is collected, resulting in a ground range resolution of 0.46 meters and an azimuth resolution of 0.5 meters. Sliding Spotlight is the optimal mode for high-resolution capture.
Staring Spotlight Mode The Staring Spotlight Mode is a new imaging mode with an azimuth resolution of 25cm that continuously illuminates a specific spot on the ground surface to obtain high-resolution images, as shown below. Compared to the conventional sliding spotlight mode, the staring spotlight mode irradiates a narrower observation area, resulting in higher-resolution images.

■ Detail of Images

①
Observation date and time: October 8, 2024, 2:12:53 (UST)
Observation location: Eastern Part of Tokyo, JAPAN
Observation mode: Sliding Spotlight Mode
Resolution: ground-range resolution of 0.46 m × azimuth resolution of 0.5 m

②
Observation date and time: October 23, 2024, 17:04:59 (UST)
Observation location: Los Angeles International Airport, USA
Observation mode: Staring Spotlight Mode
Resolution: ground-range resolution of 0.46 m × azimuth resolution of 0.25 m

* One of the highest resolutions among small SAR satellites commercially operated by Japanese companies
* The direction of the satellite’s orbit is called the azimuth direction, and the direction of radar irradiation is called the range direction. The resolution in the direction of the satellite’s motion is called azimuth resolution.

①Azimuth direction: Flight direction of SAR satellite
②Slant range: Line drawn from the SAR to the object on the ground
③Ground range: Direction from the nadir of the SAR satellite to the location of the object on the ground surface
④Swath: The width of the image scene in the range direction
⑤Range direction: The direction from the satellite flight direction to the object at right angles