Computer simulation of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Launch Complex 40 (SLC 40) at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Image credit: NASA

[Satellite TODAY 08-09-13] Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) won a two-flight contract to launch Germany’s second-generation radar reconnaissance satellite system.

The satellites, provided by OHB System AG (OHB) and Astrium GmbH, will replace the current OHB-built five-satellite SAR-Lupe constellation. OHB will build two passive-antenna synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, and Astrium GmbH will build a larger, phased-array-antenna satellite under contract for OHB. The three-satellite constellation will be delivered to orbit by two Falcon 9 rockets in 2018 and 2019.

“SpaceX looks forward to working with OHB and Astrium, and we appreciate their confidence in SpaceX to reliably deliver these satellites to orbit,” said Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and COO. “These missions are very meaningful for SpaceX as the first contracted for a European government.”