SAR-Lupe Reconnaissance System: 4th Satellite Launched Successfully
The 4th German reconnaissance satellite of the SAR-Lupe system was launched on 27 March 2008 at 18:15 CET from the Russian spaceport Plesetsk south of Archangelsk. The Cosmos 3M launcher placed the radar satellite in orbit roughly half an hour later. After approximately 90 minutes direct contact was established between the control center and the satellite. Initial tests have shown that the 4th SAR-Lupe satellite is also functioning correctly. Its activation was thus initiated already last night.
Satellite control is currently the responsibility of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen. The Bundeswehr ground station in Gelsdorf conducts parallel tracking of the satellite and will assume control of the satellite approx. four weeks after it was launched. From there the radar payload will be initiated.
The first SAR-Lupe satellites were placed in orbit in December 2006. They provide excellent high-resolution images and operate very successfully and reliably. SAR-Lupe 4 is the non-modified reproduction of the preceding satellites.
