Press Release
2020, November 25th
Synspective Inc.
TOKYO-2020, November 25th – Synspective Inc., a SAR satellite data and related solutions provider, announced today the official launch schedule of “StriX-a”, its first SAR satellite.
■Scheduled Date of Launch
The launch window is set during a 14-day launch window opening on 12 December UTC. Exact lift-off target date and time will be confirmed soon.
An online, open-access, event is scheduled for the launch. For those wishing to attend, the details are available on Synspective’s website.
(URL: www.synspective.com/mission *To be released in late November)
■Launch vehicle / Location
Rocket Lab’s Electron launches from Rocket Lab’s launch site on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
■Target Orbit
Sun Synchronous Orbit, altitude 500km
■ About “StriX-α”
Synspective’s SAR satellite technology was initially developed through the “ImPACT” program led by The Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. “StriX-α” is a product of this effort, further developed for commercial use through Synspective and is now the company’s first demonstration satellite.
“StriX-a” is in the 100kg satellites class and about 1/10 of a conventional large SAR satellite. The SAR antenna is five meters long. While folded at launch it deploys in orbit. The StriX satellite constellation can target data with a ground resolution of 1-3m, single polarized (VV), and a swath width of more than 10-30km. The satellite is capable of two observation modes: strip map and sliding spotlight.
We plan to launch the demonstration satellite “StriX-β (Strix Beta)” following StriX-α in 2021. By 2022, Synspective will launch four commercial satellites, aiming to build and operate a system that enables wide-area, high-frequency ground observation with a constellation of 30 satellites.
■ “StriX-α” performance table
■Image
Synspective founder and CEO, Dr. Motoyuki Arai, commented:”We are so happy to share this commemorable launch of our first satellite, the StriX-α, together with Rocket Lab. This is just the start of a 30 SAR satellites constellation. The captured SAR data will make Synspective’s solution even more valuable, enabling innovation in Infrastructure AEC, finance & insurance, and disaster mitigation among others. We released our first Land Displacement Monitoring solution in September and anticipate our services line-up to rapidly increase as our constellation grows. We are very excited to begin the scaling of our business, which includes both SAR satellites and downstream solutions.”
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck, says:“We’re honored to be providing the ride to orbit for Synspective and playing a pivotal role in deploying the first satellite of their constellation. By flying as a dedicated mission on Electron, the Synspective team have complete control over their orbit and launch schedule, giving them a degree of certainty over a crucial time in their business development.”
■You can check the latest information about our launch mission here.
URL：https://synspective.com/mission
*To be released in late November
■About Synspective
Synspective provides one-stop-solutions by satellite gathered geospatial data. The core technology was developed by the ImPACT program led by The Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, building small SAR satellites and constellations, allowing frequent observation of areas of interest (AOI). Synspective uses its satellites to produce SAR data which can be provided to both government and commercial clients as-is, as well as transform that data through AI solutions to produce insights and user-friendly information across industries.
■About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the world’s leading dedicated small satellite launch provider. Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab provides end-to-end mission services, including complete satellite build and launch solutions, that provide rapid, frequent and reliable access to space. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab has delivered 95 satellites to orbit on the Electron launch vehicle, enabling operations in space debris mitigation, Earth observation, ship and airplane tracking, and radio communications. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron launch vehicle and Photon satellite platform. Electron is a full carbon-composite launch vehicle tailored for small satellites. Photon is a complete spacecraft bus solution that can be tailored for a range of missions. Together Electron and Photon offer an all-inclusive spacecraft build and launch service for Rocket Lab customers. Rocket Lab operates launch sites in Māhia, New Zealand and Wallops Island, Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.
【Media Contact】
Synspective PR press@synspective.com