PhoeniX

PhoeniX is an innovative SAR spaceborne architecture designed for efficient integration, reliable performance, and mission flexibility, enabling high-quality Earth Observation across a wide range of satellite platforms.

PhoeniX is MetaSensing’s compact and flexible X-band SAR payload designed for scalable Earth Observation missions and next-generation satellite constellations.

PhoeniX combines efficient radar architecture, modular design, and reliable imaging performance in a compact SAR payload ranging from 74 to 166 kg. Based on slotted waveguide antenna technology, the system is engineered to minimize complexity while enabling flexible integration across different mission profiles and constellation-based deployments. Its configurable architecture allows operators to balance performance, scalability, and mission requirements according to specific operational needs.

Your ultimate solution for advanced SAR Imaging

Compact Design

PhoeniX features a compact and modular SAR architecture optimized for efficient satellite integration across multiple mission classes. Its reduced system complexity and scalable design enable easier accommodation on modern platforms and constellation deployments, while maintaining structural robustness, operational reliability, and flexibility for evolving Earth Observation requirements.

Advanced Imaging Capabilities

PhoeniX delivers advanced SAR imaging capabilities designed for high-quality Earth Observation applications. The system supports reliable data acquisition with high radiometric stability and consistent imaging performance, enabling effective monitoring, surveillance, infrastructure analysis, and environmental assessment across a broad range of operational and mission scenarios.

Cutting-Edge Engineering and Innovation

PhoeniX combines advanced radar engineering with innovative system architectures to support next-generation SAR missions. Leveraging slotted waveguide antenna technology and a configurable payload design, the system enables optimized integration, mission adaptability, and efficient deployment strategies for institutional, commercial, and constellation-based Earth Observation programs.

Technical data ApeX

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MetaSensing
PhoeniX ApeX
PhoeniX ApeX – 8x TRM-15 modules per tile, 10 tiles
(ApeX-A-10-20)
PhoeniX ApeX – 16x TRM-15 modules per tile, 10 tiles
(ApeX-C-10-40)
PhoeniX ApeX – 16x TRM-15 modules per tile, 12 tiles
(ApeX-C-12-48)
Radiating antenna dimension
(elevation x azimuth)
0.35 x 3.52 m 0.70 x 3.52 m 0.70 x 4.24 m
Phase centers
(elevation x azimuth)
8 x 40 16 x 40 16 x 48
Electronic Steering angle in Elevation +/- 10.0 deg +/- 10.0 deg +/- 10.0 deg
Electronic Steering angle in Azimuth +/- 4.5 deg +/- 4.5 deg +/- 4.5 deg
RF peak power 2 kW 4.0 kW 4.8 kW
DC power consumption 2.3 kW 4.6 kW 5.5 kW
Slant range resolution > 0.125 m > 0.125 m > 0.125 m
Maximum bandwidth 1200 MHz 1200 MHz 1200 MHz
Sensitivity at 30 deg incidence angle, @0.5 meter slant range resolution, 20% duty cycle, Spotlight mode, 500 km altitude < -13.7 dB < -22.5 dB < -26.0 dB
Sensitivity at 30 deg incidence angle, @1.5 meter slant range resolution, 20% duty cycle, Stripmap mode, 500 km altitude < -17.2 dB < -26.0 dB < -28.1 dB
Incident angle full performance access, with -20 dB Total ambiguity 15-36 deg 15-43 deg 15-44 deg
Incident angle recording data 15-50 deg 15-50 deg 15-50 deg
SAS (SAR Antenna Subsystem) payload mass ~58 kg ~121 kg ~146 kg
SES (SAR Electronic Subsystem) payload mass ~10 kg ~10 kg ~10 kg
Payload interface ~10 kg ~10 kg ~10 kg
Total Mass ~78 kg ~141 kg ~166 kg

Technical data Core

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MetaSensing
PhoeniX Core
PhoeniX Core – 1x TRM-100W modules per tile, 10 tiles
(Core A-10-10)
PhoeniX Core – 3x TRM-50 modules per tile, 10 tiles
(Core-B-10-15)
PhoeniX Core – 2x TRM-100 modules per tile, 10 tiles
(Core-A-10-20)
PhoeniX Core – 4x TRM-100 modules per tile, 10 tiles
(Core-C-10-40)
PhoeniX Arch1 – 4x TRM-100 modules per tile, 12 tiles
(Core-C-12-48)
Radiating antenna dimension
(elevation x azimuth)
0.35 x 3.37 m 0.53 x 3.37 m 0.35 x 3.37 m 0.70 x 3.37 m 0.70 x 4.04 m
Phase centers
(elevation x azimuth)
1 x 10 3 x 10 2 x 10 4 x 40 16 x 48
Electronic Steering angle in Elevation NA +/- 3.0 deg +/- 3.0 deg +/- 3.0 deg +/- 3.0 deg
Electronic Steering angle in Azimuth +/- 1.5 deg +/- 1.5 deg +/- 1.5 deg +/- 1.5 deg +/- 1.5 deg
RF peak power 1.0 kW 1.5 kW 2 kW 4.0 kW 4.8 kW
DC power consumption 1.2 kW 1.8 kW 2.3 kW 4.6 kW 5.5 kW
Slant range resolution > 0.25 m > 0.25 m > 0.25 m > 0.25 m > 0.25 m
Maximum bandwidth 600 MHz 600 MHz 600 MHz 600 MHz 600 MHz
Sensitivity at 30 deg incidence angle, @0.5 meter slant range resolution, 20% duty cycle, Spotlight mode, 500 km altitude < -10.6 dB < -15.9 dB < -13.7 dB < -22.5 dB < -26.0 dB
Sensitivity at 30 deg incidence angle, @1.5 meter slant range resolution, 20% duty cycle, Stripmap mode, 500 km altitude < -14.1 dB < -19.4 dB < -17.2 dB < -26.0 dB < -28.1 dB
Incident angle full performance access, with -20 dB Total ambiguity 15-36 deg 15-41 deg 15-36 deg 15-43 deg 15-44 deg
Incident angle recording data 15-50 deg 15-50 deg 15-50 deg 15-50 deg 15-50 deg
SAS (SAR Antenna Subsystem) payload mass ~54 kg ~81 kg ~58 kg ~110 kg ~132 kg
SES (SAR Electronic Subsystem) payload mass ~10 kg ~10 kg ~10 kg ~10 kg ~10 kg
Payload interface ~10 kg ~10 kg ~10 kg ~10 kg ~10 kg
Total Mass ~74 kg ~101 kg ~78 kg ~130 kg ~166 kg

Key features

  • Compact and modular SAR architecture optimized for satellite integration
  • Slotted waveguide antenna technology
  • Configurable payload design for different mission needs
  • Scalable solution for constellation-based deployments
  • Optimized system integration and reduced complexity

Key benefits

  • Flexible adaptation to a wide range of mission profiles
  • Efficient integration into modern satellite platforms
  • Reliable SAR imaging performance
  • Support for scalable constellation architectures
  • Optimized balance between performance and system efficiency