ICEYE and IHI Establish Groundbreaking Satellite Constellation for Earth Monitoring
On October 16, 2025, ICEYE, a prominent leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, joined forces with IHI Corporation, a renowned player in Japan's aerospace and defense sectors. This collaboration has culminated in a significant agreement focused on creating an Earth observation satellite constellation that aims to serve various needs, including security, civilian applications, and commercial uses. Under the new procurement contract, IHI has taken the initial step by placing an order for four satellites along with an image acquisition system. Impressively, there is also the potential for an additional order of up to 20 satellites in the future. The initial satellites from this groundbreaking project are anticipated to commence phased commissioning and data delivery around April 2026. The agreement marks a pivotal advancement in the collaborative partnership between ICEYE and IHI that has been nurtured since 2018. With ICEYE's cutting-edge SAR technology, the satellites are designed to deliver meticulous images, overcoming challenges posed by cloud cover or darkness. This ensures continuous monitoring capabilities that are vital for defense, disaster response, as well as environmental management. As per Rafal Modrzewski, the Co-founder and CEO of ICEYE, the partnership emphasizes shared values and innovation crucial for strengthening collective security and resilience. He states, 'By merging IHI's engineering excellence with our SAR technology, we are facilitating sovereign access to indispensable Earth observation data, empowering Japan's leadership in space-based intelligence.' Hiroshi Ide, the President and CEO of IHI, reinforced the commitment to creating a safe and secure society amidst rapid global changes. The initiative signifies a profound investment into IHI's future. Ide remarked, 'Through collaboration with ICEYE, we are venturing into new territory by establishing fresh value through advanced satellite technology.' The primary goal of this cooperative effort is to tackle both national and economic security issues while also addressing a broader array of societal challenges. To optimize the assembly process, two of the initial four satellites will be manufactured and tested within Japan, a move that reflects the extensive preparations already in progress between the two companies. Assuming satisfactory demonstration results, IHI envisages exercising options to procure the remaining 20 satellites in phases starting from fiscal year 2026, aiming to complete the entire constellation of 24 satellites by fiscal year 2029. This landmark contract builds on a memorandum of understanding established between ICEYE and IHI in May 2025, which aimed at jointly advancing the satellite constellation and establishing domestic production facilities in Japan. This collaboration further solidifies the companies' shared objective of synergizing ICEYE's advanced SAR technology with IHI's engineering heritage for boosting Japan's manufacturing and space capabilities. ICEYE prides itself on offering unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities that allow for rapid detection and response to changes occurring anywhere on the globe. With the largest SAR satellite constellation currently in operation, ICEYE provides real-time insights crucial for decision-making processes in various sectors, including defense, insurance, natural catastrophe management, maritime monitoring, and legitimate finance initiatives. By enhancing community resilience and facilitating sustainable development, ICEYE continues to be a trusted partner for both governmental and commercial clients worldwide. The organization cooperates on an international scale, boasting offices in multiple countries, such as Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, the UAE, Greece, and the United States. Employing over 900 skilled professionals, ICEYE remains dedicated to improving life on Earth through the provision of reliable Earth observation data.