ICEYE deploys 70th satellite in recent launch, including sovereign fleets for Poland and Portugal

ICEYE’s constellation is growing at a steady pace, driven in part by contracts for sovereign capabilities.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on March 31, 2026. 

ICEYE has launched six new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites on Transporter-16, the latest SpaceX mission. According to a March 30 press release, the satellites are carrying the company’s 25 cm resolution payloads. All six have established communication and commissioning activities are underway, it states. 

With these six satellites, ICEYE now has 70 systems in orbit, which serve both commercial and sovereign needs. The constellation is growing quickly, there were just 48 in orbit as of mid-March, 2025. At that time, the plan was to launch 20 satellites per year, which the company appears to have achieved.

It also looks as though ICEYE’s growth is set to continue. Since 2022, it has secured contracts from: 

• Finland, three as an initial fleet, with potential for more. 
• Germany, plans for as many as 40 satellites through Rheinmetall ICEYE JV. 
• Greece, two satellites and local production.
• Japan, four on order with options for up to 20 more. 
• The Netherlands, four satellites forming a national capability.
• Poland, three initially ordered with options for three more.
• Portugal, two satellites as part of the Portuguese Air Force, CEiiA, and GEOSAT’s Atlantic Constellation initiative.
• Sweden, up to ten satellites although the plan includes electro-optical systems from Planet too. 

This indicates that ICEYE has around 27 satellites on order from the countries above, 10 of which are thought to be in orbit. There is the potential for as many as 60 more to come from this customer base alone. To meet demand, ICEYE is scaling production to one satellite per week in 2026, and has launched eight this year.

Calibre comment: Democratising space-based intelligence 

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marks a clear turning point for sovereign space capabilities. There are several potential drivers that are democratising space-based intelligence. Ukraine’s use of ICEYE satellites to strike throughout the operational depth of Russian forces is likely one element. Another is the loss of trust in the US as an intelligence partner. Many states would rely on intelligence assessments provided from countries like the US or UK. However, as the US administration has distanced itself from meeting Europe’s defence requirements, the need to replace those capabilities has grown. 

The result is arguably a good thing. More SAR and optical satellites orbiting Europe means higher revisit times and greater investment in imaging capabilities. This in turn should support a better understanding of Russian movements and capabilities, as well as targeting should the need arise. 

If you would like to read more on ICEYE’s growth and expansion in the past year, check out the links below: 

• Defence in brief: ICEYE launches 4 new satellites 
• Rheinmetall and ICEYE form satellite production joint venture – Calibre Defence 
• ICEYE to bolster Dutch space-based ISR with new SAR satellites – Calibre Defence# 

The lead image shows the Transporter-16 taking off from Vandenburg Airbase. Credit: ICEYE.