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
Up to 10 minutes of imaging time per orbit—up to 5x more capacity than other commercial SAR satellites.
Advanced Management
Uninterrupted imaging for up to 5 minutes, allowing larger image sizes and extended coverage.
High-Gain Mesh Antenna
3.5-meter mesh-based reflector antenna and 1000 W amplifier ensure high-contrast, low-noise imagery.
Agile Maneuverability
Large reaction wheels enable rapid repositioning across varied angles, including forward/backward squint.
1.2 Gbps Data Downlink
Fast data transmission, allowing more images to be downlinked per orbit with minimal latency.
Automation at
our 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.
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.
Automated 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 requests processed <15 minutes
- Responsive feasibility analysis
- Real-time order status updates
- Fully-automated data processing
Powerful API
Programmatically search, download, and integrate SAR data into your workflow using the Capella API. Our RESTful endpoints deliver imagery directly to your cloud, enabling seamless automation of complex workflows and multi-source analytics. Designed for top-tier security and privacy, our platform ensures all interactions are confidential 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
Pioneering Innovation
Capella was first in the market to deliver very high-resolution, long-dwell imagery products through a fully automated, self-service platform. Capella Space unlocks actionable Earth insights anytime, in any weather, with advanced SAR satellites providing global transparency for our evolving planet.
Capella Begins Using Inter-satellite Data Relay System (IDRS)
Capella is the first SAR provider to leverage Inmarsat’s satellite communications network to offer real-time tasking capabilities, dramatically reducing the time required to order and deliver high-resolution imagery from anywhere in the world.
First to Rollout Fully Automated Tasking and Scheduling
Capella introduces a new platform with zero human-in-the-loop tasking, and an API to enable dynamic tip-and-cue capabilities for responsive intelligence gatherin.
Introducing Multi-look, Long Dwell Spotlight Imagery
Capella introduces spotlight imagery with 30-second dwell and multi-look processing for more precise, high-resolution object detection and classification.
Introducing Colorized Sub-aperture Imagery (CSI)
Using long-dwell spotlight data, Capella is able to stack multiple sub-apertures (independent, very-high-resolution looks) to visualize changes in geometry over the duration of a collect, including motions of any objects in the image.
First SAR Provider to Demonstrate OISL Compatibility with U.S. NDSA Standards
Capella announces agreement to work with SDA to demonstrate OISL compatibility with U.S. NDSA requirements to enable high delivery speeds and direct access to U.S. Government customers.
Collecting Sliding Spotlight at 4x Coverage, Double the Resolution
Capella collects a 20 km x 10 km sliding spotlight image at 0.5 meter resolution, demonstrating the capability to effectively double the resolution of Capella’s existing sliding spotlight product.
Demonstrating Bistatic Imaging
Capella demonstrates a bistatic SAR collect used to improve object imaging, to avoid interference from radar jamming, and to implement moving target indication and interferometry techniques.
World Premiere of VideoSAR
Capella leverages its long-dwell collect capability to produce a SAR video, showing the motion of objects through time.
Automating Satellite Commissioning
Just 14 hours after launch, Capella successfully completes automated primary commissioning of Capella-13.
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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