Capella Space pioneers synthetic aperture radar technology for advanced Earth observation

Capella Space, a U.S. company established in 2016, has played a role advancing Synthetic Aperture Radar, or SAR, satellite technology. SAR is widely regarded for its capability to provide high-resolution Earth observation even under challenging conditions such as cloud cover or darkness, where traditional optical satellites may struggle. The company’s focus on this technology looks to position it as a leader in the growing market for continuous, all-weather Earth monitoring.

The inspiration behind Capella Space’s creation is rooted in a global tragedy – the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 in 2014 with all 239 people aboard presumed dead. The subsequent three-year multinational search for the plane across the vastness of the Southern Indian Ocean, which cost around $130 million, was the most expensive in aviation history but ultimately yielded no results.

“When Malaysian flight MH370 went missing, the world’s superpowers could not locate this plane with all of their assets,” Capella Space Founder Payam Banazadeh said in a quote on the company’s website reflecting on the event. “We thought that more could be done to monitor this one planet and home that we have.”

This realization highlighted the urgent need for more reliable and comprehensive monitoring of Earth, which became a driving force behind the founding of Capella Space. Banazadeh and his team saw an opportunity to address this gap by utilizing SAR technology, which offers the ability to penetrate atmospheric conditions, and provide continuous high-resolution imagery regardless of time of day or weather.

In 2018, Capella Space launched “Denali,” the first commercial SAR satellite developed by a U.S. company, signaling the start of a new era in Earth observation. While a technology demonstrator, this launch was part of the company’s broader ambition to create a constellation of SAR satellites capable of global monitoring. SAR’s unique ability to provide real-time visibility of the Earth’s surface is invaluable for various applications, from disaster response to environmental monitoring. 

Two years later, in 2020, Capella Space successfully deployed the “Sequoia” satellite, which it said was the first operational commercial U.S. SAR satellite. The satellite further showcased the company’s ability to produce commercial high-quality SAR imagery with greater efficiency and at a lower cost compared to traditional SAR satellite manufacturers.

More recently, the company’s expansion continued with the launch of the Acadia-3 satellite, also known as Capella-13, on August 11, 2024. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket carried the satellite into a 615-kilometer orbit, despite encountering delays due to ground winds and maritime restrictions.

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is noted for its role as a reliable constellation builder, offering precise and dedicated deployment to unique orbits. This capability is essential for satellite operators like Capella Space, enabling them to incrementally build and position their constellations exactly where they are needed.

Capella Space is currently focused on enhancing its SAR technology and expanding its constellation, aiming to meet the increasing demand for reliable Earth observation data. As the commercial space industry continues to grow, driven by advances in cloud computing and the proliferation of small satellite technologies, Capella Space’s innovations in SAR technology are expected to have far-reaching implications. 

These advancements hold the potential to significantly improve decision-making in fields such as commerce, conservation, and national security, where timely and accurate data is essential. By continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible with SAR, Capella Space is contributing to a deeper understanding of our planet and the complex systems that govern it.