Thanks to SAR radar technology, the Capella 2 satellite is able to take photos inside simple buildings.
Capella 2, a satellite capable of radar imagery with astonishing resolution was launched into space a few months ago by the company Capella Space.
According to Futurism, the image capture technology on Capella 2 has the ability to “see” through certain works. However, the representative of the company said that this satellite can only be observed inside simple structures and will not work for complex projects such as high-rise buildings or houses.
On December 16, Capella Space launched a platform capable of providing private or government clients with images from any region of the world. In addition, the company plans to launch six more satellites by 2021.
Unlike most satellites orbiting the Earth, Capella 2 is capable of capturing a clear image day or night, rain or shine. Capella Space CEO Payam Banazadeh says Capella 2’s new imaging technology will overcome many of the limitations of current satellites.
“50% of the Earth’s surface is dark, on average half the sky is cloudy. By combining these two factors, there is about a 75% chance that the Earth’s sky will be cloudy, lack of light, or sometimes both, ”said the CEO of the company, most of the technologies scientists use to observe Earth is an optical image sensor. In cloudy conditions, it is difficult for satellites to record images with good visibility and good brightness.
Instead of optical imaging, Capella 2 uses synthetic aperture radar, also known as SAR. SAR technology works by echolocation, much like dolphins and bats navigate. The satellite will project a 9.65 GHz radio signal onto a target, collecting and decoding data when the radio waves respond again.
“At this frequency, the clouds will become transparent. You can project the signal through clouds, humidity, or smoke. This technology is like a flashlight, which shines in space day and night, ”Banazadeh said.
Without inventing SAR, Banazadeh said that Capella was the first American company to provide this technology and the first company in the world to launch a platform accessible to all potential customers.
In addition, Capella 2 provides images with a resolution of up to 50cm x 50cm / pixel, which makes a big difference compared to other satellites on the market, which only have a display resolution of approximately 5.mx 5m / pixel.
As long as the company doesn’t improve resolution beyond U.S. laws, Banazadeh said it could take photos from any part of the world customers demand.
Capella Space clients may be government agencies tasked with monitoring hostile troops or operating at airports. They can also be scientists who follow deforestation or investors examining global supply chains.
Even if 2 or more satellites are focused on the same target, SAR technology can create three-dimensional images with fluctuations every minute. Banazadeh says the technique was used to measure the amount of oil stored in open oil tanks or the amount of oil extracted from an open field. In addition, SAR can help authorities track the level of ground settlement above the tunnel over time.
