StarSAR-X

StarSAR-X is a high-performance spaceborne SAR payload designed for advanced imaging capabilities and full polarimetric operations, enabling detailed and accurate Earth Observation data acquisition.

The StarSAR-X is the high performance X band radar system which MetaSensing offers with the most advanced capabilities.

StarSAR-X is MetaSensing’s high-performance spaceborne SAR payload, designed to deliver state-of-the-art imaging capabilities for advanced Earth Observation missions. It is a fully phased-array radar system with electronic steering in both azimuth and elevation, enabling full flexibility across all major SAR imaging modes, including Stripmap, Spotlight, ScanSAR, and TOPSAR.
Based on a microstrip patch array antenna, StarSAR-X supports single, dual, and full polarimetric configurations, enabling a wide range of advanced target characterization and analysis capabilities. Its architecture includes a dedicated calibration line and thousands of digitally controlled Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs), ensuring excellent phase stability and radiometric accuracy of the SAR products.
With a slant range resolution up to 0.125 m, StarSAR-X delivers ultra-high-resolution radar imagery, making it a reference solution for missions requiring maximum detail and advanced polarimetric performance.

Your ultimate solution for advanced SAR Imaging

StarSAR-X Capabilities

StarSAR-X is MetaSensing’s high-end X-band SAR payload, with a mass between 90 and 172 kg. It uses a fully phased-array architecture with digital multi-channel steering in azimuth and elevation, ensuring strong performance across all SAR imaging modes.

Precision and Performance Excellence

StarSAR-X includes an advanced calibration system ensuring phase stability and radiometric accuracy. With slant range resolution up to 0.125 m, it delivers ultra-high-quality SAR images for urban mapping, disaster monitoring, environmental and infrastructure analysis.

Flexible Antenna Technology and Configurations

Based on microstrip patch array antenna technology, StarSAR-X is available in single, dual, and full polarimetric configurations. This flexibility improves adaptability to mission needs and operating conditions across different Earth Observation scenarios.

Gallery

Technical data

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MetaSensing STARSAR-X	StarSAR-X – 4x TRM-16 modules per tile, 8 tiles (SSX-S-408-20)	StarSAR-X – 5x TRM-16 modules per tile, 8 tiles (SSX-S-508-25)	StarSAR-X – 4x TRM-16 modules per tile, 10 tiles (SSX-S-410-25)	StarSAR-X – 6x TRM-16 modules per tile, 8 tiles (SSX-S-608-30)	StarSAR-X – 8x TRM-16 modules per tile, 8 tiles (SSX-S-808-40)	StarSAR-X – 8x TRM-16 modules per tile, 10 tiles (SSX-S-810-50)
Radiating antenna dimension (elevation x azimuth)	0.35 x 3.2 m	0.44 x 3.2 m	0.35 x 4.0 m	0.53 x 3.2 m	0.70 x 3.2 m	0.70 x 4.0 m
Phase centers (elevation x azimuth)	16 x 32	20 x 32	16 x 40	24 x 32	32 x 32	32 x 40
Electronic Steering angle in Elevation	+/- 20 deg	+/- 20 deg	+/- 20 deg	+/- 20 deg	+/- 20 deg	+/- 20 deg
Electronic Steering angle in Azimuth	+/- 4.5 deg	+/- 4.5 deg	+/- 4.5 deg	+/- 4.5 deg	+/- 4.5 deg	+/- 4.5 deg
RF peak power	2.0 kW	2.5 kW	2.5 kW	3.0 kW	4.0 kW	5.0 kW
DC power consumption	2.3 kW	2.8 kW	2.8 kW	3.5 kW	4.6 kW	5.7 kW
Slant range resolution	> 0.125 m	> 0.125 m	> 0.125 m	> 0.125 m	> 0.125 m	> 0.125 m
Maximum bandwidth	1200 MHz	1200 MHz	1200 MHz	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	< -14.0 dB	< -16.5 dB	< -16.5 dB	< -19.8 dB	< -23.0 dB	< -25.5 dB
Sensitivity at 30 deg incidence angle, @1.5 meter slant range resolution, 20% duty cycle, Stripmap mode, 500 km altitude	< -17.5 dB	< -20.0 dB	< -20.0 dB	< -23.3 dB	< -26.5 dB	< -29.0 dB
Incident angle full performance access, with -20 dB Total ambiguity	15-35 deg	15-40 deg	15-38 deg	15-41 deg	15-42 deg	15-45 deg
Incident angle recording data	15-50 deg	15-50 deg	15-50 deg	15-50 deg	15-50 deg	15-50 deg
SAS (SAR Antenna Subsystem) payload mass	~70 kg	~78 kg	~85 kg	~105 kg	~135 kg	~150 kg
SES (SAR Electronic Subsystem) payload mass	~10 kg	~10 kg	~10 kg	~10 kg	~10 kg	~10 kg
Payload interface	~10 kg	~10 kg	~10 kg	~10 kg	~10 kg	~12 kg
Total Mass	~90 kg	~98 kg	~105 kg	~125 kg	~155 kg	~172 kg

Key features

High Performance X-Band Radar: StarSAR-X offers top-tier performance for advanced SAR applications.

Fully Phased Array System: Features electronic steering in azimuth and elevation with polarimetric capability.

Versatile Imaging Modes: Supports all SAR imaging modes, including Stripmap, Spotlight, ScanSAR, and TOPSAR, with single, dual, and full polarimetry.

Microstrip Patch Array Antenna: Built on advanced antenna technology ensuring high signal quality and stability.

Multichannel Configurations: Available in single, dual, and digital multichannel configurations for enhanced steering performance. 

Key benefits

Advanced Capabilities: StarSAR-X delivers state-of-the-art performance with full polarimetric operation options.

Versatility: Supports multiple imaging modes and polarimetric configurations for diverse applications.

Adaptability: Multichannel architectures enable tailoring to specific mission and polarimetric requirements.

Superior Performance: Advanced antenna design ensures excellent radiometric and signal quality.

Enhanced Mission Effectiveness: Provides reliable, precise polarimetric SAR data across a wide range of operating conditions.

Deployments

Launching this fall

Brief project:
MetaSAR X for Universo Creativo

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Space

Defense

StarSAR-X

The StarSAR-X is the high performance X band radar system which MetaSensing offers with the most advanced capabilities.