Rheinmetall-Iceye JV to produce Gen4 SAR satellites from 2026

Iceyeʼs Gen4 SAR satellite over the UK and Europe. (Iceye)

The newly established joint venture (JV) Rheinmetall Iceye Space Solutions in Neuss, Germany, will produce Iceyeʼs Generation 4 (Gen4) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, an Iceye spokesperson told Janes on 7 November.

While not disclosing the number of satellites to be produced at the JVʼs new factory, it will begin operating in 2025 as Iceye looks to “keep up with the European and global demand in partnership with Rheinmetall”, the Iceye spokesperson said. The first satellite will be manufactured in 2026, according to an 11 October press release by Iceye.

Iceye announced the launch of its Gen4 satellite in March. The new technology doubles the size of the SAR antenna and radiated SAR power. It more than doubles the imaging area, from the previous maximum swath width of 150 km up to 400 km. The satelliteʼs resolution is up to 16 cm, and the imaging bandwidth is 1,200 MHz, according to Iceye. The images contain 30% greater information density than previous iterations. The Gen4 satellite includes orbit control for target imaging and more imaging capacity for congested areas in a single satellite pass, according to Iceyeʼs March press release.

In May, Rheinmetall and Iceye announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the JV. Rheinmetall holds 60% of the shares in the JV and Iceye 40%. At the time, Iceye said Rheinmetall Iceye Space Solutions would begin manufacturing “SAR satellites and subsequently other solutions”, without adding details. Production at the Neuss site, among others, was expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026, according to an Iceye press release from May.