KSAT and iQPS Deepen Long-Term Strategic Alliance for Near-Real-Time Earth Observation Data Services, Building 36 Small SAR Satellite Constellation

KSAT Norway

Overview

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), a global mission services provider, and Japan’s iQPS, a leader in high-resolution small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite constellations, announced a deepened long-term strategic alliance to accelerate the “QPS-SAR Project.” This initiative aims to establish a 36-small SAR satellite constellation capable of delivering near-real-time Earth observation data with an average 10-minute revisit time almost anywhere globally. iQPS leverages over 20 years of small satellite development expertise from Kyushu University professors and is supported by more than 25 Japanese partner companies, while KSAT’s new Tokyo office underscores its commitment to the growing Asian space industry.

In Depth

Key Findings

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), a leading global mission services provider, and iQPS, a prominent Japanese company building high-resolution small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite constellations, have announced a significant deepening of their long-term strategic alliance. This expanded partnership aims to accelerate iQPS’s “QPS-SAR Project” to deliver near-real-time Earth observation data with unprecedented frequency, averaging a 10-minute revisit time over nearly any point on Earth.

Technical & Clinical Details

The core of the “QPS-SAR Project” is a constellation comprising 36 small SAR satellites. SAR satellites possess the unique advantage of being able to observe the Earth’s surface regardless of weather conditions or time of day, enabling high-precision data collection even when conventional optical satellites are hindered by clouds or darkness. iQPS, founded in 2005 by Kyushu University professors, leverages over two decades of expertise in small satellite development, supported by a network of more than 25 partner companies across Japan. KSAT contributes its extensive global ground station network, responsible for efficiently receiving, processing, and distributing the large volumes of SAR data collected by iQPS. This integrated system will provide near-real-time information for a wide array of applications, including agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, maritime surveillance, and security.

Background & Industry Context

The Earth observation market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing demands related to climate change response, urban development monitoring, resource management, and national security. The demand for high-frequency and high-resolution SAR satellite data is particularly surging, as it overcomes the limitations of traditional satellite constellations and facilitates faster decision-making. The expanded alliance between KSAT and iQPS combines the strengths of Norway and Japan – KSAT’s global infrastructure and service delivery capabilities with iQPS’s innovative small SAR satellite technology – thereby strengthening their competitiveness in this expanding market. KSAT’s establishment of a Tokyo office further demonstrates its strong commitment to the rapidly growing Asian space industry, particularly the Japanese market, marking a strategic move to enhance support for Japanese satellite operators.

Future Outlook

Upon completion, the 36-satellite SAR constellation will enable near-real-time observation almost anywhere on Earth, proving its immense value across diverse applications such as immediate damage assessment after natural disasters, monitoring illegal fishing activities, and infrastructure health monitoring. This partnership is expected to accelerate the commercial utilization of Earth observation data, fostering new business models and industries. It will also contribute to enhancing the resilience of space infrastructure and support the creation of a safer and more sustainable society. The KSAT-iQPS partnership is poised to solidify their position as leading players in the global Earth observation market, with the potential to elevate space data utilization to the next level.