Fukuoka, JAPAN – July 25, 2023- Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) released spotlight images including 0.46m x 0.39m resolution image from QPS-SAR-6 “AMATERU-III”.

“AMATERU-III”, developed and manufactured by iQPS and more than 25 local partner companies mainly in northern Kyushu, was launched on June 13 (JST) by SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-8 Mission. Continued to fine-tune the satellite’s attitude control after the release of its first light images at its stripmap imaging mode on July 13, iQPS has now attained to release the SAR images with the ground plane resolution of 0.46m in azimuth direction and 0.39m in range direction at its spotlight imaging mode, which is the finest resolution ever achieved by a Japanese private SAR satellite.

“Following the success of first light images by QPS-SAR-6, we are absolutely thrilled to show the world our strength: high resolution images” said Shunsuke Onishi, CEO of iQPS. “The moment these images were processed and reported internally, this remarkable clarity of images caused excitement within the company and our hearts were filled with promising expectation for the upcoming observations. Compared to QPS-SAR-2, the resolution has been improved, and the image acquisition in spotlight imaging mode, which demands precise attitude control, has been successfully accomplished within a short timeframe. This achievement stands as a momentous milestone in the pursuit of our goal to establish a SAR satellite constellation. After accomplished “high-resolution”, now we work towards realizing the world we expect, to “high-frequency” observation.

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＜Overview of images ＞

Locations:

[Fig.1] Yokohama-city, Kanagawa, Japan

[Fig2.] Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

[Fig.3] O’ahu, Hawaii, USA

Observation dates & times:

[Fig.1] 00:27 a.m. July 20, 2023 JST

[Fig.2] 01:54 a.m.  July 20, 2023 PDT

[Fig.3] 01:48 a.m.  July 21, 2023 HST

*All are in local time.

Resolution of Spotlight images:

[Fig.1] Ground plane resolution of Azimuth direction 46cm x Range direction 58cm, Off-nadir angle 24°

[Fig.2] Ground plane resolution of Azimuth direction 46cm x Range direction 39cm, Off-nadir angle 39°

[Fig.3] Ground plane resolution of Azimuth direction 46cm x Range direction 50cm, Off-nadir angle 50°

AMATERU-III has observation mode of Standard mode (Stripmap imaging mode) which is 1.8 m resolution and High Resolution mode (Spotlight imaging mode) which is 46cm resolution.

Imaging support: Alouette Technology Inc.

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<Spotlight Imagery>

[Fig.1] Yokohama city, Kanagawa

[Fig.2] Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

[Fig.3] O’ahu, Hawaii, USA