ICEYE has just upped the ante in maritime monitoring with its new Scan Wide SAR imaging mode, and the implications for shipping and environmental oversight are significant. The Helsinki-based NewSpace pioneer has cracked the code on wide-area surveillance, offering a game-changing tool for tracking dark vessels, monitoring oil spills, and sniffing out illicit activities at sea.
Scan Wide isn’t just another imaging mode—it’s a force multiplier. With a single pass, it can capture up to 60,000 km² of ocean, and with multi-frame tasking, that jumps to 120,000 km². For context, that’s roughly the size of Greece or the U.S. state of Alabama. This isn’t just about bigger pictures; it’s about smarter surveillance. The mode’s 27 m resolution might sound modest compared to ICEYE’s 25 cm Dwell and Spot modes, but it’s the perfect tool for casting a wide net, identifying anomalies, and then zooming in for a closer look.
John Cartwright, ICEYE’s SVP of Product for Data, puts it bluntly: “By adding Scan Wide to our imaging portfolio, we enable users to ‘zoom out’ to search wide areas, and then ‘zoom in’ for high-resolution collections of targets of interest, tipping and cueing all within the same, seamless user experience.” This isn’t just marketing speak—it’s a clear nod to the operational reality of maritime surveillance. The ability to switch seamlessly between wide-area scanning and high-resolution imaging is a major leap forward.
For maritime security and environmental monitoring, this could be a turning point. Imagine the ability to monitor vast stretches of ocean for dark vessels—ships that have disabled their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to evade tracking. Scan Wide can spot suspicious activity, like ship-to-ship transfers in restricted zones, and then task higher-resolution imaging to confirm and document the violation. The same goes for oil spills. A wide-area scan can quickly identify a spill, and follow-up imaging can track its spread and source.
The maritime industry has long grappled with the challenge of balancing coverage and detail. Traditional SAR systems often force a choice: either scan large areas with low resolution or focus on small areas with high resolution. ICEYE’s Scan Wide mode bridges that gap, offering a flexible, scalable solution that adapts to the mission. This isn’t just about keeping up with the competition—it’s about setting a new standard for maritime surveillance.
ICEYE’s constellation of 54 SAR satellites is already the world’s largest, and the introduction of Scan Wide underscores the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The maritime sector is increasingly turning to space-based solutions for real-time monitoring, and ICEYE is positioning itself as the go-to provider for high-resolution, all-weather imaging.
But the real story here isn’t just about the technology—it’s about the impact. As maritime regulations tighten and environmental concerns grow, the ability to monitor vast ocean expanses with precision becomes critical. Scan Wide isn’t just a tool; it’s a force for accountability. It’s a way to ensure that vessels comply with regulations, that illegal activities don’t go unnoticed, and that our oceans are protected.
The maritime industry is at a crossroads, and technology like Scan Wide could be the catalyst for a new era of transparency and efficiency. It’s a reminder that innovation isn’t just about bigger, faster, or cheaper—it’s about smarter, more effective solutions that address real-world challenges. ICEYE’s Scan Wide mode is a step in that direction, and the maritime world is watching closely.