Eycore 1

Eycore 1 [Eycore]

Eycore-1 is an Earth observation satellite developed by Eycore (Poland). It is the first Polish satellite to employ domestically developed Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology and is based on the MP42 microsatellite bus from Kongsberg NanoAvionics (Lithuania).

The mission is designed to demonstrate a compact, high-resolution X-band SAR system capable of supporting both military and civilian applications. Primary objectives include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) for European and NATO users, as well as civilian Earth observation tasks requiring all-weather, day-night imaging capability. The satellite aims to contribute to a sovereign European SAR capability with sub-meter resolution performance.

Eycore, a subsidiary of Advanced Protection Systems, provides the SAR payload, while NanoAvionics supplies the MP42 platform. The payload features a deployable active phased-array antenna optimized for compact launch configurations and high performance in orbit. The collaboration represents a combined effort to field a European-built SAR solution using flight-proven small satellite infrastructure.

The spacecraft operates in a sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 510 km altitude. Its SAR instrument utilizes a five-panel deployable antenna system, consisting of one fixed panel and four deployable panels, forming a large aperture once in orbit. The platform provides sufficient peak power, precise attitude control, and high data-rate downlink capability required for SAR operations. Imaging modes include Stripmap for continuous swath coverage, Spotlight for high-resolution targeting, and ScanSAR for wide-area observation.

Eycore-1 was launched on 3 May 2026 aboard a Falcon 9 rideshare mission (CAS500-2) operated by SpaceX.