ICEYE has successfully launched four new satellites into orbit, including its first 4th generation satellite.

This was announced by ICEYE in a press release.

The new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites feature a resolution of 25 cm, enabling them to capture high-quality images of the Earth’s surface at any time of day and in any weather. This all-weather, round-the-clock reconnaissance capability is made possible by the fact that ICEYE satellites observe the Earth’s surface using synthetic aperture radar, rather than relying on optical spectrum.

The satellites were launched on March 15, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Transporter-13 launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. All spacecraft have been successfully contacted, and routine commissioning operations are now underway.

The 4th generation ICEYE satellite is equipped with an antenna twice the size of its predecessors, as well as double the radiated radar power. These enhancements have allowed the satellite to more than double its imaging area, expanding it from 150 km to 400 km.

The new satellite also provides 30% greater information density in its images. Other improvements include better orbit control for more precise targeting and increased throughput for imaging congested areas in a single satellite pass.

The company stated that the new generation of satellites would offer customers enhanced situational awareness, faster decision-making, and improved mission outcomes. In particular, the detection and classification of ships, vehicles, and aircraft will be significantly easier.

“With the launch of the Generation 4 satellite, ICEYE continues to lead the innovation in the SAR satellite industry. As we aim to be the primary provider of critical infrastructure for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to allied nations, our SAR development serves the growing demand for space-based technology in the global defense markets,” said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE.

Since 2018, ICEYE has launched a total of 48 SAR satellites for itself and its clients. The company plans to launch over 20 new satellites annually in 2025, 2026, and beyond.

ICEYE and Ukraine

Ukraine began cooperating with ICEYE in August 2022. The Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation purchased one of the company’s satellites with donations totaling UAH 600 million and paid for access to the entire constellation for one year.

According to Serhiy Prytula, the time lag between receiving data from partners’ satellites and ICEYE’s own is approximately six times different.

In March 2025, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) reported that 5,200 images had been captured using those satellites, with 1,000 of them taken in the past six months alone. According to GUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov, more than 40% of the photos were used for combat damage assessment, leading to billions of dollars in losses for the enemy.

In November 2024, Rheinmetall and Ukraine, with the support of the German government, signed a contract to provide satellite intelligence services.

Under this agreement, Ukraine receives a larger volume of data from satellites equipped with ICEYE’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR).