# SARah-3

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

**Wikidata**: [Q112229095](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112229095)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sarah-3

## Summary
SARah-3 is a German reconnaissance satellite that failed to deploy its radar antenna after its launch on December 24, 2023. As part of the SARah constellation, it was designed for military radar reconnaissance purposes.

## Key Facts
- SARah-3 is a German reconnaissance satellite that experienced antenna deployment failure after launch.
- It was launched on December 24, 2023 at 13:11:00 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.
- The satellite has a mass of approximately 1800 kilograms.
- SARah-3 was launched using a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket (B1075.8).
- It is part of the SARah satellite constellation and was preceded by SARah-2.
- The satellite was manufactured by OHB System AG and operated by Bundeswehr.
- Its COSPAR ID is 2023-204B.
- SARah-3 carries a passive synthetic aperture radar for reconnaissance purposes.

## FAQs
### Q: What is SARah-3?
A: SARah-3 is a German reconnaissance satellite that failed to deploy its radar antenna after its launch on December 24, 2023. It is part of the SARah constellation designed for military radar reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: When and where was SARah-3 launched?
A: SARah-3 was launched on December 24, 2023 at 13:11:00 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. It was carried into space by a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket (B1075.8).

### Q: What happened to SARah-3 after launch?
A: After its launch, SARah-3 experienced a failure where it failed to deploy its radar antenna. This significant event occurred in 2024 and specifically affected the passive synthetic aperture radar system.

### Q: Who is responsible for SARah-3?
A: SARah-3 was manufactured by OHB System AG and is operated by Bundeswehr (German Federal Armed Forces). The funding was provided by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support.

### Q: What is the purpose of SARah-3?
A: SARah-3 was designed for radar reconnaissance, carrying a passive synthetic aperture radar. It was part of the SARah constellation, which is intended for intelligence and military applications.

## Why It Matters
SARah-3 represents a significant investment in Germany's military reconnaissance capabilities. As part of the SARah constellation, it was intended to provide advanced radar imaging capabilities for military and intelligence purposes. The failure of the radar antenna deployment represents a notable setback for Germany's space-based surveillance capabilities, potentially limiting the effectiveness of the entire SARah system. This incident highlights the challenges and risks associated with complex satellite operations and the critical importance of proper antenna deployment for reconnaissance satellites. The failure could impact Germany's ability to gather detailed ground intelligence and may result in increased costs and delays for the nation's space-based surveillance program.

## Notable For
- SARah-3 is notable for its antenna deployment failure after launch, rendering its reconnaissance capabilities ineffective.
- It is part of the SARah constellation, which represents Germany's most advanced radar satellite program.
- The satellite was launched on December 24, 2023, making it one of the latest additions to Germany's military satellite fleet.
- It has a mass of approximately 1800 kilograms, making it a relatively large reconnaissance satellite.
- SARah-3 uses a SmartLEO Agile spacecraft bus, which is designed for enhanced maneuverability in orbit.

## Body
### Overview
SARah-3 is a German reconnaissance satellite that is part of the SARah satellite constellation. It was launched on December 24, 2023, but subsequently experienced a critical failure where it failed to deploy its radar antenna, rendering its primary reconnaissance capabilities ineffective.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: Approximately 1800 kilograms
- Spacecraft Bus: SmartLEO Agile
- Carried Instrument: Passive synthetic aperture radar
- COSPAR ID: 2023-204B

### Mission and Purpose
SARah-3 was designed for radar reconnaissance purposes, intended to provide military and intelligence gathering capabilities through its passive synthetic aperture radar system. It was expected to complement other satellites in the SARah constellation to provide comprehensive coverage and improved reconnaissance capabilities for Germany's armed forces.

### Manufacturing and Funding
- Manufacturer: OHB System AG
- Operator: Bundeswehr (German Federal Armed Forces)
- Funder: Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support
- Launch Contractor: SpaceX

### Launch Details
- Launch Date: December 24, 2023 at 13:11:00 UTC
- Launch Location: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East
- Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1075.8)
- Orbit: Not specified in the source material

### Failure Incident
Following launch, SARah-3 experienced a significant failure in 2024 where it failed to deploy its passive synthetic aperture radar antenna. This failure represents a major setback for the satellite's mission and potentially for the overall SARah constellation's effectiveness.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "SARah-3",
  "description": "German reconnaissance satellite which failed to deploy radar antenna after launch",
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  "additionalType": "reconnaissance satellite"
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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)