SPACE.com -- Russian Rocket Launches German Reconnaissance Satellite

The capstone of a fleet of German military satellites rocketed into space from Russia early Tuesday, completing a series of five launchings of spacecraft designed to scout locations around the world.

The SAR-Lupe 5 satellite, a 1,700-pound craft (771-kg) outfitted with cloud-piercing and night-vision radar, launched aboard a Russian Kosmos 3M rocket at 0240 GMT Tuesday (10:40 p.m. EDT Monday), according to news reports.

The 105-foot (32-meter) tall booster took off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a space base in far northern Russia near the Arctic Circle.

The rocket successfully released SAR-Lupe 5 into an orbit 300 miles (482 km) high about a half-hour later, according to OHB-System, the satellite's prime contractor.

The spacecraft carries a large dish antenna connected to a powerful X-band radar system. The synthetic aperture radar signals can see through clouds and observe ground objects around the clock.

Optical reconnaissance satellites are hampered by weather and darkness, significantly reducing their effectiveness in spying on enemy activity.

Imagery produced by the instrument will show objects as small as three feet, according to OHB-System.

The five satellites are spread among three orbital planes to provide regular global coverage, OHB-System officials said.

SAR-Lupe launches began in December 2006. Subsequent satellites were launched in July 2007, November 2007 and March.

The German military, which took control of SAR-Lupe satellite operations in December, will use the system for the next ten years.

The SAR-Lupe system is part of an international intelligence-sharing agreement between Germany and France. France will receive SAR-Lupe radar imagery and Germany will receive data from the French Helios optical and infrared reconnaissance network.

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