Two German Military New Spy Satellites Fail To Operate In Orbit

The Falcon 9 rocket was launched from California to carry a German spy satellite (photo: x @spacex)

JAKARTA - On the day before Christmas last year, the Falcon 9 rocket was launched from California and placed two spy satellites belonging to the German armed forces, which Bundeswehr collectively called, into low-Earth orbit.

Initially, this mission seemed successful. German satellite manufacturer OHB stated that the two satellites were "successed in orbit." The addition of two SARAH satellites complements the constellation of a new generation of three reconnaissance satellites, the company said.

However, six months later, the two satellites were not yet operational. According to German publication Der Spiegel, the antennas on the satellites could not be opened. Engineers from OHB have tried to resolve this issue by resetting flight software, maneuvering to shake or shake the antenna, and various other efforts, but to no avail.

As a result, last week, German lawmakers were told the two new satellites may not be operating as planned.

SARAH Rescue

The three-satellite constellation known as SARAH'S SAR is a reference to the satellite-satellite's synthetic radar capabilities "ordered in 2013 at a cost of 800 million US dollars (Rp. 13 trillion). The first of the three satellites, SARAh 1, was launched in June 2022 with a Falcon 9 rocket. This satellite was built by Airbus in southern Germany and has been operating without problems.

Two smaller satellites built by OHB, which fly with a passive synthetic apertur radar reflector, are meant to complement the SARA1 satellite, which carries an active-phased-array radar antenna.

"The new SARAH Satellite ensures that the Bundeswehr has the ability to reconnaissance images around the world regardless of time or weather," the German military said at the launch of the SARAH 1 satellite. "At the same time, they provide support in early detection and crisis management."

This new contestation is intended to replace an old, although underprivileged, similar satellite fleet known as SAR-Lupe. The five-satellite contest was launched nearly two decades ago.

OHB Allegedly Guilty

According to Der Spiegel's report, Bundeswehr said the two SARA satellites built by OHB remained owned by the German company and would only be handed over to the military once they were operational. As a result, the military said OHB would be responsible for building two replacement satellites.

Surprisingly, German publications say that its sources suggest OHB is not fully testing the functionality and deployment of satellite antennas on land. This cannot be confirmed yet.

This setback comes as OHB seeks to finalize a deal to become a private company KKR investment company planning to acquire the German space company. OHB officials said they were starting an attempt to become a private company late last year as the public market had "emphasized" the company structurally.

OHB has many businesses in the space sector in Europe. Small launch company Rocket Factory Augsburg was founded by OHB in 2018 and is working towards its inaugural launch this year or 2025. The company is also a supplier to a larger Ariane 6 rocket and one of several private companies is part of a coalition bidding to build a Starlink-like satellite constellation for the European Union known as IRIS2.