StarSAR-X
StarSAR-X is a high-performance spaceborne SAR payload designed for advanced imaging capabilities and full polarimetric operations, enabling detailed and accurate Earth Observation data acquisition.
The StarSAR-X is the high performance X band radar system which MetaSensing offers with the most advanced capabilities.
StarSAR-X is MetaSensing’s high-performance spaceborne SAR payload, designed to deliver state-of-the-art imaging capabilities for advanced Earth Observation missions. It is a fully phased-array radar system with electronic steering in both azimuth and elevation, enabling full flexibility across all major SAR imaging modes, including Stripmap, Spotlight, ScanSAR, and TOPSAR.
Based on a microstrip patch array antenna, StarSAR-X supports single, dual, and full polarimetric configurations, enabling a wide range of advanced target characterization and analysis capabilities. Its architecture includes a dedicated calibration line and thousands of digitally controlled Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs), ensuring excellent phase stability and radiometric accuracy of the SAR products.
With a slant range resolution up to 0.125 m, StarSAR-X delivers ultra-high-resolution radar imagery, making it a reference solution for missions requiring maximum detail and advanced polarimetric performance.
Your ultimate solution for advanced SAR Imaging
StarSAR-X Capabilities
StarSAR-X is MetaSensing’s high-end X-band SAR payload, with a mass between 90 and 172 kg. It uses a fully phased-array architecture with digital multi-channel steering in azimuth and elevation, ensuring strong performance across all SAR imaging modes.
Precision and Performance Excellence
StarSAR-X includes an advanced calibration system ensuring phase stability and radiometric accuracy. With slant range resolution up to 0.125 m, it delivers ultra-high-quality SAR images for urban mapping, disaster monitoring, environmental and infrastructure analysis.
Flexible Antenna Technology and Configurations
Based on microstrip patch array antenna technology, StarSAR-X is available in single, dual, and full polarimetric configurations. This flexibility improves adaptability to mission needs and operating conditions across different Earth Observation scenarios.
Technical data
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| MetaSensing STARSAR-X |
StarSAR-X – 4x TRM-16 modules per tile, 8 tiles (SSX-S-408-20) |
StarSAR-X – 5x TRM-16 modules per tile, 8 tiles (SSX-S-508-25) |
StarSAR-X – 4x TRM-16 modules per tile, 10 tiles (SSX-S-410-25) |
StarSAR-X – 6x TRM-16 modules per tile, 8 tiles (SSX-S-608-30) |
StarSAR-X – 8x TRM-16 modules per tile, 8 tiles (SSX-S-808-40) |
StarSAR-X – 8x TRM-16 modules per tile, 10 tiles (SSX-S-810-50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiating antenna dimension (elevation x azimuth) |
0.35 x 3.2 m | 0.44 x 3.2 m | 0.35 x 4.0 m | 0.53 x 3.2 m | 0.70 x 3.2 m | 0.70 x 4.0 m |
| Phase centers (elevation x azimuth) |
16 x 32 | 20 x 32 | 16 x 40 | 24 x 32 | 32 x 32 | 32 x 40 |
| Electronic Steering angle in Elevation | +/- 20 deg | +/- 20 deg | +/- 20 deg | +/- 20 deg | +/- 20 deg | +/- 20 deg |
| Electronic Steering angle in Azimuth | +/- 4.5 deg | +/- 4.5 deg | +/- 4.5 deg | +/- 4.5 deg | +/- 4.5 deg | +/- 4.5 deg |
| RF peak power | 2.0 kW | 2.5 kW | 2.5 kW | 3.0 kW | 4.0 kW | 5.0 kW |
| DC power consumption | 2.3 kW | 2.8 kW | 2.8 kW | 3.5 kW | 4.6 kW | 5.7 kW |
| Slant range resolution | > 0.125 m | > 0.125 m | > 0.125 m | > 0.125 m | > 0.125 m | > 0.125 m |
| Maximum bandwidth | 1200 MHz | 1200 MHz | 1200 MHz | 1200 MHz | 1200 MHz | 1200 MHz |
| Incident angle recording data | 15-50 deg | 15-50 deg | 15-50 deg | 15-50 deg | 15-50 deg | 15-50 deg |
| SAS (SAR Antenna Subsystem) payload mass | ~70 kg | ~78 kg | ~85 kg | ~105 kg | ~139 kg | ~174 kg |
| SES (SAR Electronic Subsystem) payload mass | ~10 kg | ~10 kg | ~10 kg | ~10 kg | ~10 kg | ~10 kg |
| Payload interface | ~10 kg | ~10 kg | ~10 kg | ~10 kg | ~10 kg | ~12 kg |
| Total Mass | ~90 kg | ~98 kg | ~105 kg | ~125 kg | ~159 kg | ~196 kg |
Key features
High Performance X-Band Radar: StarSAR-X offers top-tier performance for advanced SAR applications.
Fully Phased Array System: Features electronic steering in azimuth and elevation with polarimetric capability.
Versatile Imaging Modes: Supports all SAR imaging modes, including Stripmap, Spotlight, ScanSAR, and TOPSAR, with single, dual, and full polarimetry.
Microstrip Patch Array Antenna: Built on advanced antenna technology ensuring high signal quality and stability.
Multichannel Configurations: Available in single, dual, and digital multichannel configurations for enhanced steering performance.
Key benefits
Advanced Capabilities: StarSAR-X delivers state-of-the-art performance with full polarimetric operation options.
Versatility: Supports multiple imaging modes and polarimetric configurations for diverse applications.
Adaptability: Multichannel architectures enable tailoring to specific mission and polarimetric requirements.
Superior Performance: Advanced antenna design ensures excellent radiometric and signal quality.
Enhanced Mission Effectiveness: Provides reliable, precise polarimetric SAR data across a wide range of operating conditions.
Missions
Launching this fall
IRIDE-NOX is one of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) missions within IRIDE, Italy’s national Earth Observation program developed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and coordinated by ESA in partnership with ASI. The mission is led by D-Orbit as the Mission Prime and satellite system integrator, while MetaSensing serves as the Payload Prime Contractor, providing the StarSAR-X X-band SAR payload and the associated payload ground segment. The mission delivers high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation data to support applications including infrastructure monitoring, environmental surveillance, disaster management, and national security.
SIRB (Arabic for “flock of birds”) is the UAE’s national initiative to develop sovereign spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities through a constellation of radar satellites. The program brings together FADA as the industrial lead, Technology Innovation Institute (TII) for research and advanced technology development, ST Engineering as the satellite platform provider and system integrator, and MetaSensing as the SAR payload technology provider. Beyond delivering the first mission, the program focuses on technology transfer, knowledge development, and establishing a sustainable national SAR ecosystem.