CAPELLA-2 (SEQUOIA)

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CAPELLA-2 (SEQUOIA) is classified as:

Radar Calibration

NORAD ID: 46269

Int'l Code: 2020-060B

Perigee: 503.9 km

Apogee: 506.2 km

Inclination: 45.1 °

Period: 94.6 minutes

Semi major axis: 6876 km

RCS: Unknown

Launch date: August 31, 2020
Source: United States (US)
Launch site: Rocket Lab Launch Complex (RLLC)

CAPELLA-2 (SEQUOIA) is a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite developed by Capella Space of California. The orbiter is the first publicly available satellite in what is expected to be a 36-satellite constellation that will be able to deliver synthetic aperture radar imagery of the Middle East, the Korean Peninsula, Japan, Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa and the United States. Customers for this imagery include the U.S. government. Unlike traditional electro-optical sensors used to create satellite imagery, SAR uses radar. This gives SAR some advantages over traditional imagery, such as the ability to produce images regardless of inclement weather (cloud coverage) and whether the sun is shining. Additionally, SAR can collect data on material properties, moisture content, precise movements and elevation. Capella Space claims Sequoia and the forthcoming satellites in the constellation will be able to detect sub-0.5-meter changes on the Earth’s surface.