The second SAR-Lupe satellite, part of the German observation system, has successfully been launched into orbit from the Plesetsk space center by a Russian Cosmos-3M rocket.

SAR-Lupe provides continuous, high-resolution ground images to the German Ministry of Defense. The SAR-Lupe program, which has a lifetime of 10 years, features a constellation of five identical small satellites plus a ground segment. The satellites will be positioned into three quasi-polar orbital planes at an altitude above 300 miles. Three more SAR-Lupe spacecraft are scheduled for launch at intervals of four to six months until the constellation is completed in 2008.