# SARah-2

> German reconnaissance satellite which failed to deploy radar antenna after launch

**Wikidata**: [Q112229094](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112229094)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sarah-2

## Summary
SARah-2 is a German reconnaissance satellite that failed to deploy its radar antenna after launch in December 2023. It is part of the SARah satellite constellation, designed for military intelligence and surveillance, and was launched by SpaceX using a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Reconnaissance satellite (used for intelligence and military applications)
- **Launch date**: December 24, 2023, at 13:11:00 UTC
- **Launch site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East
- **Launch vehicle**: Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1075.8)
- **Manufacturer**: OHB System AG
- **Spacecraft bus**: SmartLEO Agile
- **Mass**: Approximately 1,800 kilograms
- **Operator**: Bundeswehr (German military)
- **Funder**: Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support
- **Payload**: Passive synthetic aperture radar (failed to deploy)
- **Part of**: SARah satellite constellation
- **Preceded by**: SARah-1
- **Followed by**: SARah-3
- **Country of origin**: Germany

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of SARah-2?
A: SARah-2 was designed for radar reconnaissance, collecting data for military intelligence and surveillance. It was part of Germany's SARah satellite constellation.

### Q: Why did SARah-2 fail?
A: SARah-2 failed to deploy its radar antenna after launch, a significant issue for its military reconnaissance mission.

### Q: Who launched SARah-2?
A: SARah-2 was launched by SpaceX using a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.

### Q: What is the SARah satellite constellation?
A: The SARah constellation consists of German reconnaissance satellites, with SARah-2 being one of its members. It is operated by the Bundeswehr for military purposes.

### Q: How does SARah-2 differ from SARah-1 and SARah-3?
A: SARah-2 is part of a series of reconnaissance satellites, with SARah-1 preceding it and SARah-3 following it. SARah-2 is notable for its failure to deploy its radar antenna.

## Why It Matters
SARah-2 is part of Germany's SARah satellite constellation, which plays a critical role in military intelligence and surveillance. The constellation is operated by the Bundeswehr and funded by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment. The failure of SARah-2 to deploy its radar antenna highlights the challenges in space-based reconnaissance technology. Despite the setback, the SARah program remains a key component of Germany's defense capabilities, providing radar imagery for military operations. The constellation's success or failure will impact Germany's ability to gather intelligence and monitor strategic regions effectively.

## Notable For
- **Part of the SARah constellation**: SARah-2 is one of several satellites in Germany's military reconnaissance network.
- **Failed radar deployment**: The satellite's inability to deploy its radar antenna was a significant setback for its mission.
- **Operated by the Bundeswehr**: The satellite is part of Germany's defense infrastructure, supporting military intelligence operations.
- **Launched by SpaceX**: SARah-2 was launched using a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, demonstrating the reliability of SpaceX's launch services for military satellites.
- **Passive synthetic aperture radar**: The satellite was equipped with advanced radar technology for high-resolution imaging.

## Body
### Overview
SARah-2 is a German reconnaissance satellite that was launched on December 24, 2023, by SpaceX using a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. It is part of the SARah satellite constellation, which is operated by the Bundeswehr for military intelligence and surveillance. The satellite was manufactured by OHB System AG and uses the SmartLEO Agile spacecraft bus.

### Mission and Technology
SARah-2 was designed for radar reconnaissance, using a passive synthetic aperture radar to collect high-resolution imagery. The satellite was part of a series, with SARah-1 preceding it and SARah-3 following it. The SARah constellation is funded by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment and is a key component of Germany's defense capabilities.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. However, SARah-2 failed to deploy its radar antenna after launch, a significant issue for its military mission. The failure was reported in 2024, affecting the satellite's ability to perform its intended reconnaissance functions.

### Significance
The SARah constellation plays a critical role in military intelligence and surveillance. The failure of SARah-2 highlights the challenges in space-based reconnaissance technology. Despite the setback, the program remains a key component of Germany's defense infrastructure, providing radar imagery for military operations.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sarah-p.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Bundeswehr: Schwierigkeiten bei SARah Spionagesatelliten. Der Spiegel. 2024](https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundeswehr-schwierigkeiten-bei-sarah-spionagesatelliten-a-1f6a0e7a-38f2-4a63-af65-78eb43c1d736)
4. [Source](https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/06/18/spacex-launches-german-military-radar-satellite-from-california/)
5. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sarah-a.htm)
6. [Source](https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-06-airbus-built-earth-observation-satellite-sarah-1-ready-for-launch)