SAR imagery of Amazon Deforestation, Luna Camba, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Photo: Capella Space

Capella Space has signed a research and development agreement with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center (SMDTC) to use its data from space. 

Capella announced Oct. 21 that SMDTC will integrate its Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data into the U.S. Army’s Payload Development Lab. Capella said the U.S. Army will explore Capella’s SAR technology and other space-based technology concepts in both simulated and test environments. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The U.S. Army SDMTC performs science and technology, research and development, and test and evaluation; manages and operates the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site; and conducts space operations and space domain awareness.

“SMDTC is looking forward to this partnership with the team at Capella Space,” said Tom  Webber, the director for the Technical Center, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. “Capella is the first U.S. company to commercialize SAR and is uniquely positioned to provide mission-critical support to tactical users and advance the Army’s critical mission.” 

Capella has a number of contracts for its SAR data with U.S. government and military partners including the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, National Geospatial Agency, In-Q-Tel, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.