NovaSAR-1 is a small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mission designed for low-cost programmes and optimised for shared launch opportunities, using a combination of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies, and is the first ever UK manufactured SAR satellite. NovaSAR-1 has been part-funded by the UK Government. Mission partners signed up for capacity from NovaSAR-1 include the UK Space Agency, Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and the Indian Space Reseach Organisation (ISRO).

NovaSAR-1 was developed to be a low-cost, and much smaller version of available technologies, but still providing medium resolution data with a wide coverage. This is achieved by:

• Reuse of heritage avionics (satellite platform) based upon the SSTL 300 avionics (used for Nigeriasat-2) to reduce risk.
• Compatibility with existing SSTL satellite ground control segment.
• The payload back-end comes from existing Airbus Defence and Space UK instrument architecture.
• Use of COTS technology where suitable to reduce cost.

NovaSAR date will soon be available via our SEDAS platform – click here to find out more.