BusinessEO

Umbra Releases a 16 cm Commercial Satellite Image

Image: Umbra

Commercial space imaging hit a new resolution high-water mark. 

Satellite operator Umbra released a 16 cm/pixel Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image today, making it the highest-res commercial satellite image ever dropped, according to the company. The image is comparable to the resolution that was previously restricted to government use.

“This means that we are finally able to offer customers the highest resolution images that our satellites are capable of capturing, setting the stage for even further expansion of products to customers,” said Umbra president Gabe Dominocielo.

Evolving regulations: The US began permitting the sale of commercial satellite images only a few decades back, but still restricted super-high res imaging—like the 10-cm picture Trump tweeted in 2019—to government use only. 

Over the last few years, NOAA has started loosening commercial imaging restrictions, allowing satellite operators to innovate and expand further into various end markets and use cases. Umbra was able to release today’s 16-cm image as a result of NOAA recently loosening its 25-cm restriction on the Santa Barbara-based company’s commercial imaging. 

Umbra 101: Umbra operates six SAR satellites, serving the US government (50% of revenue), allied nations (25%), and commercial customers (25%). Unlike optical imaging, Umbra’s SAR radars are not dependent on light, allowing them to deliver high-resolution images around the clock and in all weather conditions. The company has contracts from the NRO, Air Force, and DARPA. 

Related Stories
Business

Voyager Acquires ExoTerra for Electric Propulsion Tech

The Voyager Technologies ($VOYG) family is getting a little bit bigger. The broad-spanning space tech company announced Monday that it is acquiring ExoTerra Resource, a CO-based company building electric satellite propulsion systems. The companies did not disclose the financial details of the deal.

Business

Lockheed, Northrop, and Iridium Q3 Earnings Roundup

This week, a pair of primes—Lockheed Martin ($LMT) and Northrop Grumman ($NOC)—and satcom operator Iridium ($IRDM) reported their revenues for the third quarter. We’ve got the roundup of all the space-related tidbits inside.

BusinessSatcom

Lynk and Omnispace Plan to Merge

Lynk Global, a satellite operator with a constellation of D2D and IoT-enabled satellites, plans to merge with telecom firm Omnispace to expand their business across both commercial and government lines.

BusinessMilitary

Vantor Wins New Space Force Contract for In-Space Monitoring

Vantor—the artist formerly known as Maxar Intelligence—is expanding its relationship with the DoD through another in-space awareness contract.