"South Korean Military Can Eliminate Satellite Intelligence Gaps and Development Risks"

Iceye CEO Interview: "Using Satellite Constellations to Provide Information Every 20 Minutes"

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO of Iceye. (Photo by Iceye)

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] ICEYE, which has challenged the 'startup desert' in the satellite field, is currently recognized as a leading company in ultra-small SAR (high-performance imaging radar) satellite technology. ICEYE was founded in 2014 by Pekka Laurila, who was attending Aalto University in Finland, and Rafal Modrzewski, a Polish international student. At the time, even their professors advised against starting a company, but their determination did not waver. Eventually, ExxonMobil invested in their passion, marking the beginning of the ultra-small commercial satellite startup. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) under the Ministry of National Defense of Korea also decided to develop an ultra-small SAR satellite by 2023 with a budget of 20 billion KRW. Taking this opportunity, we conducted a written interview with CEO Rafal Modrzewski (pictured) to hear about their success story. The following is a Q&A.

- Please introduce ICEYE.

△ ICEYE produces and operates the highest-performance radar satellites at low cost. In 2018, it launched the world's first satellite based on this concept. To date, ICEYE has produced the largest number of SAR satellites worldwide. It has realized satellite constellations. Through these constellations, a large amount of satellite image data can be generated and converted into image intelligence, which is provided to various customers around the world. Customer demand is increasing. Currently, production lines are established and operated in Finland and the U.S. mainland. Given this demand trend, there are plans to establish production lines in other countries as well.

- What differentiates ICEYE from other competitors?

△ ICEYE boasts higher reliability than other companies. This means providing advanced information with the least risk. ICEYE is still evolving. In January next year, the 4th generation satellite, GEN4, will be launched. GEN4 will provide superior resolution information through maximum bandwidth. This is also a world first. ICEYE's satellites scan electronic radar beams from multiple observation angles. This is possible because of the phased array antenna installed on ICEYE satellites. Through this, we can deliver the necessary information to customers accurately and quickly.

- What kind of collaboration is possible with Korean companies planning to build satellites?

△ ICEYE has been developing high-performance, low-cost SAR satellites for 10 years now. As of 2022, 21 satellites have been launched, making it the largest satellite constellation in the world. It is a constellation (a group of satellites operating together as a satellite system). Over the next 18 months, more than 15 additional satellites will be launched. ICEYE has invested a lot of time and expertise in this process. Korea does not need to go through this process. If Korea partners with us, we can immediately invest in the capabilities Korea needs. If Korea requires information assets, the SAR satellite constellation can provide them without any gap.

- What are the advantages and disadvantages of SAR satellites?

△ The biggest advantage of SAR satellites is that they can observe desired areas regardless of weather or time constraints. Optical satellites cannot see at night or through heavy clouds. Of course, having both optical and SAR satellites would be ideal. However, SAR satellites are currently essential for the Korean military. This is why cooperation with ICEYE is necessary. Of course, there are many competitors to ICEYE, but in terms of technology and price competitiveness, ICEYE is considered a step ahead. Especially, ICEYE has the influence to quickly replace Korea's satellite information gap.

- What about the 4th generation GEN4 satellite launching in January next year?

△ The first demonstration satellite in 2018 had a bandwidth of 60 MHz and a precision resolution of several meters. GEN4, developed in five years, is equipped with a radar bandwidth of 1200 MHz, achieving more than 20 times improvement. Image quality has also evolved. It can precisely observe within a range of 10 to 20 cm. It can detect car wheels or footprints. It can detect minute changes on the earth's surface. This capability is not only due to satellite development technology but also requires ground data processing technology. It needs fast downlink speeds and various functions such as a wideband mode that can capture tens of thousands of square kilometers in one image. Additionally, it must have the management capability for satellite constellations that ICEYE possesses. ICEYE has maintained these capabilities for years. Korea can utilize ICEYE's capabilities to reduce risks associated with satellite development and operation.

- What do you think about Korea's plan to build an ultra-small SAR satellite system?

△ Small SAR satellites are the future. They can frequently observe specific areas with maximum resolution. This can be realized through SAR satellite constellations. What the Korean military needs is a revisit satellite that can observe specific areas every 20 minutes regardless of time and weather. ICEYE has already realized such functions through extensive design, manufacturing, and testing. A lot of time and cost have been invested. Korea should own satellites without going through these processes. Therefore, cooperation with ICEYE will provide great advantages to Korea.

The Iceye-X2 satellite flying aboard a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, in December 2018. (Photo by Iceye)

- What about ICEYE's professional workforce?

△ No company in the world has a SAR satellite system like ICEYE. We started launching the first verification satellite in 2018, which was considered impossible, and now the best experts have gathered. Experts from over 60 countries work in offices across 8 countries. They are involved not only in SAR satellites but also in ground equipment system development. Because we have such experts, we can directly develop various technologies, produce satellites, and deliver them to customers, enabling a 'one-stop service.'

- It is said that ICEYE provided reconnaissance information during the Ukraine war.

△ ICEYE provided various SAR image information to Ukraine. These were decisive pieces of information that helped Ukraine not fall behind in the war. Recently, Ukraine requested ICEYE to secure its own satellites. This means ICEYE has been verified even in wartime situations.

- What is the status of overseas customers?

△ ICEYE provides image information through its satellites to integrated Europe, Finland, Norway, the UK, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Singapore, UAE, and others. Customers include governments, research institutions, private companies, NGOs, and even the Brazilian Air Force. Especially, depending on environmental changes, ICEYE provides global flood area monitoring services to various institutions worldwide. Information on natural disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes is also included. This means that civilian, government, and military sectors need ICEYE's satellites.

- What about satellite purchase methods and follow-up support?

△ ICEYE has established a branch in Korea. Dr. Jeon Wanki is the representative, and local staff have been hired. This is to cooperate with various institutions in Korea. So far, we have achieved results with Korean defense companies and institutions that have partnered with us. Through this, we will produce results that strengthen Korea's capabilities.

- How do you prepare against hacking?

△ Satellites transmit and receive a lot of information. All of it is encrypted. The method is the same as that used by the world's military powers who are our customers. This means it is the safest. However, we will continue to make efforts. As hacking technology advances, the technology to protect against it must also develop accordingly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.