WASHINGTON — Earth commentary satellite tv for pc operator Maxar Intelligence has divested a small a part of its enterprise targeted on supporting categorized U.S. authorities sensor applications. That enterprise has been acquired by ARKA Group, a authorities contractor primarily based in Danbury, Connecticut.
ARKA final week introduced the acquisition of Maxar’s Radar and Sensor Know-how (RST) group situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This group has deep experience supporting U.S. government-led artificial aperture radar (SAR) applications. SAR is a sort of distant sensing know-how that makes use of radar to create high-resolution photos of the Earth’s floor.
A spokesperson for Maxar Intelligence stated the sale doesn’t imply the corporate is exiting the SAR enterprise. “SAR continues to be an essential a part of our industrial product roadmap, integrating SAR tasking and merchandise into our portfolio, and our partnership with Umbra is a part of that continued focus,” the spokesperson stated.
Umbra is a industrial supplier of SAR imagery. Maxar Intelligence operates high-resolution electro-optical imaging satellites and integrates SAR knowledge from Umbra into its merchandise.
ARKA will transition Maxar’s Radar and Sensor Applied sciences enterprise to its applications targeted on distant sensing methods involving SAR, shifting goal indication and different forms of geospatial intelligence. Shifting goal indication is a radar approach used to detect and monitor objects in movement.
“With our current area {hardware} and main software program capabilities, this acquisition will permit ARKA to supply extra highly effective and versatile options,” stated ARKA’s chief government Andreas Nonnenmacher.
ARKA in June unveiled a significant enlargement of its manufacturing facility in Danbury targeted on small satellite tv for pc programs, payloads and optical coating capabilities. The ability produces sub-meter telescopes and payloads used to watch objects in area.