Update: Iceye launches six new SAR satellites

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying six Iceye SAR satellites lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, US on 30 March 2026. (SpaceX)

Iceye launched six synthetic aperture radar (SAR) surveillance satellites into orbit to serve the company's commercial constellation and several national missions, including those for the Polish Armed Forces and the Portuguese Air Force, according to an Iceye press release on 30 March.

The six 25 cm resolution SAR satellites were carried on the SpaceX Transporter-16 rideshare mission, which launched on 30 March from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The satellites will serve the Iceye commercial constellation, Iceye US, the Polish Armed Forces MikroSAR programme, and CTI Aeroespacial consortium. The latter represents the Portuguese Air Force, Centre of Engineering and Product Development (Centro de Engenharia e Desenvolvimento: CEiiA), and Geosat in the Atlantic Constellation (Constelação do Atlantico) initiative.

Iceye's launch included two Polish satellites for the Polish Armed Forces MikroSAR constellation, Iceye confirmed to Janes on 24 April The first satellite was launched on 28 November 2025, according to the Polish Geospatial Intelligence and Satellite Services Agency (Agencji Rozpoznania Geoprzestrzennego i Usług Satelitarnych: ARGUS).

On 14 May 2025, Iceye signed an agreement with the Armament Agency (Agencja Uzbrojenia: AU) of the Ministry of National Defence (MND, in Polish Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej: MON) and a consortium of Iceye Polska Sp. z o.o. and state-owned Military Communication Works No 1 (Wojskowe Zakłady Łączności No 1: WZŁ-1). The deal covers the delivery of three Iceye SAR satellites with an option for three more and ground segment capabilities within 12 months.