The newly founded department with a focus on space does not even have a dozen employees yet. But the unit, which only began its work in January 2025, will soon be noticeable within the corporation. “Access to, and having control of, space-based reconnaissance, communications, and mission control are essential for modern armed forces”, says Chief Digital Officer Dr Timo Haas, who is responsible for the new department within the Electronic Solutions division. “We consider the integration of space expertise as being a key component of the digital transformation of defence.”

A key pillar of this project is the cooperation between the defence company and the SAR satellite operator ICEYE from Finland. SAR stands for “Synthetic aperture radar” and enables high-resolution images to be taken even at night or through clouds and fog.

Strategic operation area

The biggest beneficiary of this cooperation is Ukraine. With the approval of the Federal Ministry of Defence, it receives satellite images via a secure channel using so-called credits. The reconnaissance images support the country in military decision-making and operational planning. ICEYE has put 48 satellites into orbit since 2018, a small number of which Ukraine can use for its defence against Russian forces.

Satellite production in Neuss

After Rheinmetall secured the distribution rights from the Finnish satellite manufacturer last year, the two companies are now planning to intensify their cooperation and to establish a joint venture for satellite production. The joint venture, in which Rheinmetall will hold 60 percent of the shares and ICEYE 40 percent, plans to start production of SAR missiles at the ­Rheinmetall plant in Neuss as early as 2026.

The bat principle

What makes SAR satellites so special? “They work in a similar way to echolocation in bats”, explains Dr Nadja Peterseim, head of the Space Department. Trained in geodesy and space technology, the engineer has the ideal background for this task. The SAR radar emits a high-energy wave towards Earth. The type of objects detected can be determined based on the time it takes for the wave to be reflected and also the way in which it is reflected. As the satellite moves around the earth, many reflections are recorded in succession, which can then be mathematically put together in order to create a sharp image.

“For example, an aircraft wing reflects differently than asphalt”, says Peterseim. This means that detailed information can be provided in a very short time. From a distance of 500 km above the earth’s surface, a SAR satellite can detect objects as small as 30 cm. Thanks to this special data analysis, a Ukrainian tank crew can detect the presence of objects, where they are located, and whether there have been any changes since the last detection.

Quick reactions are required

An important element in the space value chain: a satellite integration and testing centre. The test centre, called Rheinmetall Integration & Processing Facility (RhIPF), is scheduled to be operational in 2027. It is located on the northern part of the Norwegian island of Andøya as part of the local spaceport. For example, RhIPF works together with Isar Aerospace, the first German company to launch satellites into space from Andøya using its own carrier rockets.

This is not just a matter of “classic” satellite launch, but also of what is known as tactical responsive launch: if need be, critical satellites can be replaced within a very short time, which could play a role in a major crisis or war ­scenario.

Europe has a backlog

Rheinmetall’s activities in the space dimension come just at the right time: “ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) is a crucial component of modern tactics, operations, and defence strategies. This increasingly includes observation and reconnaissance procedures in the space segment”, says Peterseim. “If drones or tanks were to be seamlessly connected to this flow of information, the benefits in tactical efficiency and the increase in the effectiveness of a unit would be significant. And this is where Europe has a lot of catching up to do.” The global political events of recent months show that Germany and Europe must be able to act more independently, especially in military matters.

More information on the planned joint venture with ICEYE can be found here.