Ukraine will receive both a satellite and access to the database of the ICEYE satellite constellation

The agreement on the purchase of the satellite and access to the data of the satellite constellation of the ICEYE suggests that Ukraine will receive ownership of the satellite and access to the database.

The Foundation’s press release reports this..

It notes that after the paid access to the database expires, the satellite will remain in full ownership of Ukraine until the end of its operation on the orbit.

“The owner of the satellite is Ukraine, and the Ukrainian side determines what and when it records, as well as in what format and spectrum we will receive the data. That is, we fully own, manage, and use the images of this satellite,” the statement said.

The satellite is planned to be further re-registered under Ukrainian name in the required directories. It is emphasized that this procedure might take some time, as it requires compliance with the necessary standards.

Also, the satellite is insured and if something happens to it, the company should replace it with the the identical one.

The Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine will be the user of the satelite. The Foundation added that the satellite can work both during the day and night and under any weather conditions.

“Unlike optical satellites, which can only work during the day and when the sky is clear, a SAR (Synthesized Aperture Radar, i.e. this satellite is a radar) satellite acts like a lantern — it “illuminates” the earth’s surface with its own radio waves. Therefore, obstacles, night, clouds, rain, fog, smoke are not important for shooting. The SAR satellite “penetrates” everything with its radio waves,” the Foundation reported.

The satellite flies over the territory of Ukraine twice a day, and the photos taken by it will be received only by the Ukrainian side. When the device is not flying over the territory of Ukraine, it is possible to access the ICEYE SAR satellite constellation. This will ensure the continuous data acquisition.

Specifications

The resolution of the satellite is from 0.5 to 1 meter, depending on the area covered by the image.

One image can cover an area of up to 225 square kilometers.

“Such specifications make it possible to more comprehensively “see” the rear of the enemy,” the Foundation added.

In addition, it emphasizes that the data received from the satellite will allow to distinguish disguised objects , or to identify dummies as opposed to real equipment. Some artificial objects on the landscape will also be visible, for example, machinery or shelters in the forest.

Data from partners

The Foundation explained that the satellite will enable Ukraine to receive information from the satellite faster.

“Foreign partners really provide Ukraine with satellite images, but this has a delay. Due to the fact that Ukraine bought the satellite, the process of data transfer from the moment of the image taken to the moment when it is received directly by military units is reduced to a few hours. In the conditions of war, the speed of receiving information is a significant advantage,” the Foundation added.

To analyze the images received from SAR satellites, the presence of specialists who have experience working with this type of images is critical. There are not so many such specialists in the whole world, however, they can be found in Ukraine, and they continue to develop their expertise.

“Due to the purchase of the ICEYE satellite, Ukrainian satellite capabilities are strengthened: in combination with the GEOSAT 2 optical satellite, our country gains an advantage in the analysis of space data. Such a combination of technological means with the capabilities of professional analytics is a step towards the technologicalization of not only Ukraine’s defense capabilities, but also the recovery of the economy after the Victory,” philanthropist Max Polyakov, entrepreneur in the field of space and IT technologies, founder of EOS Data Analytics, who also participated in conclusion of this agreement, commented on it.

As previously reported, the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation purchased a satellite from the ICEYE for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the 600 million hryvnias raised by Ukrainians for the purchase of Bayraktars.