Synspective Inc. now has an agreement in place with Rocket Lab, to launch the second demonstration satellite “StriX-β” as well as the launch of two additional satellites.
“StriX-β” was originally scheduled to be launched by Exolaunch’s Soyuz-2 rocket in 2021, but due to a change in the launch schedule of the Soyuz-2 rocket, the satellite will be launched by Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket in early 2022. The launch date of our satellite on Exolaunch’s Soyuz-2 rocket is currently under adjustment.
“StriX-β” is the second demonstration satellite following “StriX-α” and will demonstrate InSAR (Interferometric SAR) technology in orbit, a special SAR analytics technique to detect millimeter-level displacements on the ground surface using radar images of the Earth’s surface. Synspective plans to launch six satellites by 2023 and aims to build a constellation of 30 satellites by the late 2020s.
Synspective’s SAR Satellite © Synspective
“It is a great honor to collaborate with Rocket Lab, which is evolving from a rocket venture pioneer to an experienced launch service provider with the successful ‘StriX-α’ deployment to orbit,” said founder and CEO of Synspective, Dr. Motoyuki Arai. “We are very grateful for their flexibility in accepting our requests on the satellite’s orbit and launch period. Synspective has already begun operating its first satellite and providing solution services, and is now entering a phase of business expansion. ‘StriX-β’, the second satellite following StriX-α, will demonstrate Interferometric SAR (InSAR) technology in orbit and deepen satellite-operation know-how, which are strengths in our business expansion. We will accomplish this mission and steadily achieve results to enhance global efficiency and resilience.”
Rocket Lab founder and Chief Executive, Peter Beck, said, “We’re honored the Synspective team has once again chosen Electron to grow their StriX constellation. We recognize the importance of dedicated orbits and custom mission parameters for constellations, and we’re delighted to deliver a tailored launch and integration service to the Synspective team once again.”
Synspective’s mission is to create a learning world where people can expand their capabilities and make tangible progress with new data and technologies. Synspective provides one-stop-solutions using geospatial data from its own SAR satellites to create a progressive world based on real data. Synspective is building a constellation of its own small SAR satellites to provide data and analytic information to governments and commercial outfits.