QPS-SAR 1 [iQPS]
Official name QPS-SAR-2 IZANAMI
Alternative name QPS-SAR 2
Cospar ID 2021-006CA
Norad ID 47485
Launch date 2021-01-24
Launch site AFETR
Launch vehicle Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5)
Country/Organization Japan
Type application Earth observation, radar
Operator iQPS
RCS size LARGE
Decay date 2024-04-11
Shape Hex Cyl + 2 Pan + 1 Dish
Mass (kg) 120
Diameter (m) 0.8
Height (m) 0.6
Contractors iQPS
Equipment X-band SAR
Power Solar cells, batteries

QPS-SAR is a series of small high-resolution X-band SAR (synthetic aperture radar) earth observation satellites by the QPS Institute (iQPS).

The satellites are precursors for a planned constellation of 36 satellites.

The satellites feature a 3.6 m diameter antenna of only 10 kg. It can distinguish objects 1 meter long and identify cars on the road.

The satellites were launched as secondary payloads on PSLV and Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) rockets in late 2019 and 2021.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
QPS-SAR-1 IZANAGI 2019-089E 2019-12-11 SRI PSLV-QL with RISAT 2BR1, 1HOPSat TD, Pathfinder Risk Reduction, Lemur-2 108, ..., 111, Duchifat 3, NANOVA
QPS-SAR-2 IZANAMI 2021-006CA 2021-01-24 AFETR Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) with Starlink v1.0 R1-1, ..., R1-10, Capella 3, 4, ICEYE X8, X9, XR 1, GHGSat C2, Hawk 2A, 2B, 2C, Sherpa-FX 1, ION-SCV 002, AII-Charlie, Hiber 4, ASELSAT, PIXL 1, SOMP 2b, IDEASSat, YUSAT 1, UVSQ-SAT, V-R3x 1, 2, 3, Flock-4s 1, ..., 48, Kepler 8, ..., 15, Astrocast 0101, ..., 0105, SpaceBEE 40, ..., 75, Lemur-2 130, ..., 137, PTD 1, Prometheus-2 10, ARCE 1A, 1B, 1C