Satellite data provider Umbra has announced a significant expansion of its operations, moving beyond selling imagery from its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites to now offering the satellites themselves to customers. This development was unveiled on Wednesday as part of the company’s new “Mission Solutions” line.
The new business model will enable governments and large multinational corporations to purchase entire satellites, individual satellite components such as the bus, payload, and antenna, full satellite constellations, or even custom-built missions tailored to specific needs. Umbra, which operates as a vertically integrated space technology company, is known for running some of the world’s most capable SAR satellites.
Umbra’s offerings will include flexible ownership options to cater to various customer preferences. These options range from full handoff ownership, where customers manage their own satellites, to customer-owned satellites operated by Umbra, and cost-sharing models where Umbra retains ownership but guarantees customers access to the satellites.
CEO and Co-founder of Umbra, David Langan, emphasized the significance of the new business line. “We have built both the world’s most capable and affordable commercial SAR satellite. The demand for our technology has been clear, and we’re proud to extend our unique mission solutions to U.S. and global partners, including our NATO allies,” Langan said.
Umbra’s SAR satellites, which provide all-weather, day-and-night monitoring capabilities, have set new benchmarks for high-resolution data capture. The company claims its satellites deliver seven times more imagery at higher resolutions than any of its commercial competitors. Notably, Umbra offers data at 25 cm resolution and recently released imagery with 16 cm SAR resolution.
The Mission Solutions line is positioned to offer rapid turnaround times and competitive pricing for its satellite systems, appealing to entities seeking cutting-edge remote sensing technology. Since its founding in 2015, Umbra has established itself as a leader in the remote sensing market, known for providing reliable, high-precision intelligence and actionable insights.
This strategic shift underscores Umbra’s continued innovation in the space industry, reinforcing its commitment to delivering advanced satellite technology solutions to meet growing global demand.