25.11.2025 | Story

Satellite images have long been indispensable for civil and military applications. Rheinmetall has set the strategic course for this important market. Based in Neuss, Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH is part of the Düsseldorf-based technology group's future Digital Division. Rheinmetall established this joint venture with ICEYE, a Finnish company and the world's leading operator of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.

The joint venture intends to start producing radar satellites in the Lower Rhine region by mid-2026. “Access to, and having control of space-based reconnaissance, communications and mission control are essential for modern armed forces”, says Dr Timo Haas, Head of the future Digital Division. “We consider the integration of space expertise as being a key component of the digital transformation of defence”.

SAR stands for ‘Synthetic Aperture Radar’ and enables high-resolution images to be taken even at night or through clouds and fog.

Strategic operation area

Ukraine has already benefited from this cooperation. With the approval of the Federal Ministry of Defence, it receives satellite images via a secure channel using so-called credits. The reconnaissance images support the country in military decision-making and operational planning. ICEYE has put 48 satellites into orbit since 2018, of which a small number the Ukraine can use for its defence against Russian forces.

Satellite production in Neuss

Following the securing of distribution rights from Finnish satellite manufacturer ICEYE by Rheinmetall in 2024, the two companies have now intensified their cooperation and established a joint venture for satellite production. Rheinmetall holds a 60 per cent stake in the joint venture, with ICEYE holding the remaining 40 per cent. The joint venture plans to start manufacturing SAR missiles at its Neuss plant as early as mid-2026.

The bat principle

What makes SAR satellites so special? They work in a similar way to a bat’s echolocation. The SAR radar emits a high-energy wave towards Earth. The type of objects can be determined based on the duration time of the wave to be reflected and also the way in which it is reflected. As the satellite moves around the Earth, many reflections are recorded in succession, which can then be mathematically put together in order to create a sharp image.

For example, an aircraft wing reflects differently than asphalt. This means that detailed information can be provided in a very short time. From a distance of 500km above the Earth’s surface, a SAR satellite can detect objects as small as 30cm. Thanks to this special data analysis, a Ukrainian tank crew can detect objects being present, where they are located and whether there have been any changes since the last detection.

Quick reactions are required

An important element in the space value chain: a Satellite Integration and Testing Centre. The test centre, called Rheinmetall Integration & Processing Facility (RhIPF), is scheduled to be operational in 2027. It is located on the northern part of the Norwegian island of Andøya as part of the local spaceport. For example, RhIPF works together with Isar Aerospace, the first German company to launch satellites into space from Andøya, using its own carrier rockets.

This is not just a matter of ‘classic’ satellite placement, but also of what is known as tactical responsive launch: if need be, critical satellites can be replaced within a very short time, which could play a role in a major crisis or war scenario.

Europe has a backlog

Rheinmetall’s activities in the Space dimension come just at the right time: ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) is a crucial component of modern tactics, operations and defence strategies. This increasingly includes observation and reconnaissance procedures in the space segment. The global political events of recent months show that Germany and Europe must be able to act more independently, especially in military matters.

Copyright

All images on this page are copyrighted and used with the kind permission of ICEYE.