The advantage of Polish SAR technology

BySpaceForest

In conversation with a SpaceForest expert, we take a closer look at Synthetic Aperture Radar technology which despite being less spectacular than rockets plays a vital role in modern Earth observation and security systems.

HUSSAR POD SAR radar is designed for missions requiring reliable, continuous situational awareness
HUSSAR POD SAR radar is designed for missions requiring reliable, continuous situational awareness

Polish satellite data infrastructure

On 30 March two more radar satellites MikroSAR were launched into orbit as part of the Polish POLSARIS constellation. Thanks to its own Earth observation systems Poland gains greater autonomy and sovereignty in acquiring information and can respond more quickly to crisis situations and develops its analytical and defence capabilities.

It is precisely this up-to-date and precise data available on demand that is becoming one of the key resources in the area of space technology and security today.

The advantage of Polish SAR technology HUSSAR SAR Radar

The advantage of SAR technology

Synthetic Aperture Radar technology allows one to “see” where traditional optical systems fail. It operates regardless of the time of day or atmospheric conditions. This makes it possible to acquire reliable data even where other systems cease to be effective.

Satellite systems although advanced are dependent on passes over a given area. This means that access to data occurs at specific intervals which represents a significant limitation in critical situations.

SAR Radar applications

It is in such moments that mobile radar systems gain importance by allowing data to be obtained exactly when needed without waiting for a satellite pass. This approach is implemented by HUSSAR radar series based on SAR technology.

Integrating the radar with flying platforms enables observation to begin almost immediately after take-off even within a few minutes. This significantly increases the operational capability and flexibility of the system especially in the context of military operations and emergency response.

Drone operator and ground station operator monitor a hovering drone equipped with a synthetic aperture radar.
HUSSAR DRONE synthetic aperture radar in action – tracking ground objects during a flight operation.

SAR radar technology is used in both the defence and civilian sectors. In the area of security it supports border monitoring and terrain reconnaissance as well as change detection (CCD) and moving target tracking (GMTI/MMTI). In civilian missions it is used in surveying and mapping and infrastructure monitoring and also in disaster assessment for floods and landslides and damage after natural disasters. Due to the ability to work in all weather conditions and at any time of day SAR radars ensure continuity of observation where other technologies fail.

HUSSAR radar variants depending on aircraft integration

HUSSAR radar is a portable X-band system using SAR technology for high-resolution terrain imaging and motion detection with an accuracy of up to 15 cm. The system operates independently of the time of day and weather conditions.

The system can be integrated with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and aeroplanes and helicopters offering an imaging range of up to 15 km. It has been designed to satisfy the need for rapid access to reconnaissance data by eliminating the necessity of waiting for a satellite pass.

HUSSAR INTEGRATED – lightweight UAV SAR radar for terrain mapping, change detection and defense surveillance.
HUSSAR DRONE – compact lightweight SAR radar for small UAVs, enabling terrain observation and target detection.
HUSSAR POD – airborne SAR radar for terrain imaging, change detection and target identification in defense and commercial missions.

HUSSAR radar series includes lightweight and modular SAR solutions for unmanned and manned platforms. They have been designed with flexible integration in mind (power supply and control and mounting) and immediate access to data thanks to real-time processing. HUSSAR radar supports border monitoring and security (including uniformed services) as well as civilian applications such as surveying and mapping and disaster assessment. Importantly the radars developed by SpaceForest show that high performance does not have to mean large and expensive platforms. The radar can operate mobilely by moving with the mission and providing continuity of information from the tactical level to strategic command.

HUSSAR POD SAR radar providing high-resolution terrain imaging and continuous situational awareness

Made in Poland

The radar system is entirely based on Polish engineering expertise from SpaceForest and XY-Sensing

Made in Poland” flag – Polish product
SpaceForest logo – Polish advanced technology company
XY-Sensing – sensors and measurement systems

Reporter: Urszula Matysiak
Main image source: Panorama, episode dated 01/04/2026 (TVP3 Gdańsk)

Technology validation

The Artemis programme sets the direction for global exploration but local initiatives and technology tests are equally important. In this context it is worth noting PERUN rocket which enables rapid testing and validation of new solutions in suborbital conditions.

A call for research payloads and scientific experiments for subsequent PERUN missions is underway – this is an opportunity to test your own technologies in practice. 👉https://spaceforest.pl/call-for-payloads/

SpaceForest PERUN suborbital rocket – open call for research payloads, scientific experiments and space technology validation for upcoming 2026 flights
SpaceForest opens the payload call for PERUN suborbital rocket flights planned for 2026. Scientists, research teams and technology companies can test experiments and validate space technologies in microgravity conditions.