Technology
The Capella platform is supported by cutting-edge SAR technology and innovative concept of operations that delivers real-time, reliable insights directly into customers hands.
The Power of SAR
No other commercial SAR company innovates the way Capella does. Our third-generation Acadia satellite went from design to launch in just 15 months, and our fourth generation is already in progress. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Pioneering Innovation
- First to deploy a 3.5-meter mesh-based antenna from a small satellite.
- First to fly Inter-satellite Data Relay System (IDRS) with Inmarsat on a commercial SAR mission.
- First to achieve the full Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) chain.
Capella's SAR Satellites
The Capella constellation delivers advanced SAR imaging capabilities through cutting-edge satellite technology. Our in-house design and manufacturing approach allows us to quickly produce and launch new satellites, adapting to meet our customers' evolving needs.
Extended Duty Cycle
Maximizes imaging time to 10 minutes per orbit, providing up to five times more imaging capacity than other modern commercial SAR satellites.
Advanced Thermal Management Systems
Allow continuous imaging of up to 5 minutes, translating into larger image sizes and longer dwell times.
High-Gain, High-Compaction Ratio Mesh-Based Antenna
A 3.5-meter deployed mesh-based reflector antenna combined with an up to 1000 W solid state power amplifier allows us to produce high-contrast, low-noise imagery.
Highly Agile Platform
Built to be agile, with large reaction wheels to quickly maneuver between a wide range of incidence angles and targets to the left or right, with forward and backward squint capability.
Industry-Leading Data Downlink Rate of 1.2 Gbps
Our high-speed downlink allows us to collect and downlink more images per orbit with lower latency.
Automation at the Core
Capella’s focus on automating satellite operations and the imagery pipeline ensures users receive the right data when and where it’s needed. Our satellites can capture first light imagery in under 48 hours through an automated commissioning process, crucial for maintaining operational readiness and supporting rapid response scenarios.
With end-to-end automated tasking and downlink operations across multiple systems, customers benefit from the industry’s fastest SAR collection capabilities.
In-house Operations
Capella designs, builds, and operates its satellites in-house to ensure full quality control and rapid production. Our 32,000-square-foot facility in Colorado supports the manufacturing and testing of multiple satellites simultaneously. The constellation is managed by a fully automated ground system 24/7, 365 days a year, with on-demand supervision from Capella’s engineers and satellite operators.
- In-house team of SAR & signals experts.
- Customer-driven system design focused on the mission.
- Quality control from sensor to delivery.
- Rapid automated request processing.
- Real-time status of new data collections.
Ground Segment designed for Low Latency
Capella’s reactive and low-latency imaging system enables rapid responses to ever-changing conditions. A network of 17+ ground stations around the world allows for rapid data delivery via our automated cloud-based processing and dissemination system.
The automated Capella mission operations system accepts user requests via API or web application and uplinks new requests within less than an hour prior to a potential acquisition enabling near real time tasking and data delivery.
On-Demand Tasking
Capella puts the power of tasking directly into customers’ hands. Our fully-automated scheduling system empowers users to submit new imaging requests through an on-demand self-service experience, making SAR data more accessible, timely, and secure.
- New acquisition requests processed <15 minutes
- Responsive feasibility analysis
- Real-time order status updates
- Fully-automated data processing
Powerful and Flexible API
Programmatically search, download, and integrate SAR data into your workflow using the Capella API. Deliver imagery directly to your cloud with our interoperable RESTful endpoints. Capella’s web services enable developers to automate complex workflows and orchestrate multi-source analytics effortlessly. Built with the highest levels of security and confidentiality, our mission operations and online platform ensure that your interactions with our system remain private and anonymized.
- Programmatically search, data access, and delivery of high-quality SAR data.
- Integrate with online platforms, enterprise systems and government architectures.
- Combine with other sources of GEOINT to quickly derive information, extract insights, and understand patterns of life.
- End-to-end encryption based on U.S. NIST 800-171 requirements
Our Missions
Since 2016, Capella Space has paved the way in advancing SAR technology, launching groundbreaking missions that have transformed Earth observation. As the first U.S. commercial SAR satellite company, we consistently set the industry standard, delivering real-time insights from space and showcasing our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence.
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