first-uae-sar-satellite-launched-marking-space-progress

Bayanat AI PLC and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat) have successfully launched the UAE's first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite.

 

The milestone event took place on August 16, 2024, with the satellite lifting off aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 11 rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. This achievement, a collaboration between Bayanat and Yahsat, was realised in partnership with ICEYE, a leader in SAR satellite operations.

 

The satellite has successfully established communication, and early routine operations have begun, marking a significant advancement in the UAE's Earth Observation capabilities.

 

Unlike traditional optical satellites, SAR technology can capture high-resolution images day and night, regardless of weather conditions. The satellite's ability to monitor large geographical areas with high precision is particularly valuable, offering enhanced solutions for earth observation, persistent monitoring, and disaster management.

 

This launch is the first step in a broader Earth Observation Space Program aimed at building a comprehensive SAR constellation. This constellation will provide persistent monitoring solutions with high-resolution imagery, contributing to the UAE's National Space Strategy 2030.

 

The program underscores Bayanat and Yahsat's commitment to advancing the UAE’s space sector, nurturing local talent, and developing sovereign satellite data acquisition and processing capabilities.

 

The launch of this SAR satellite represents a major milestone for Bayanat and Yahsat as they move towards the formation of Space42, a merger that will position them as leaders in AI-powered geospatial analytics.

 

Hasan Al Hosani, Managing Director of Bayanat, highlighted the significance of this launch, stating that it marks a defining step towards enhancing Earth Observation capabilities and solidifying Bayanat's leadership in the geospatial analytics domain. The ongoing partnership with ICEYE plays a crucial role in leveraging space insights for informed decision-making on Earth.

 

Ali Al Hashemi, Group CEO of Yahsat, emphasised that this successful launch demonstrates the strong synergies between Bayanat and Yahsat. The SAR satellite constellation, to be launched over the next three years, will enable Yahsat to expand as a multi-orbit satellite operator, encompassing both Geostationary Orbit and Low Earth Orbit satellites.

 

This development will also foster satellite manufacturing capabilities within the UAE, further solidifying Yahsat's position as a pioneer in the UAE’s space sector and a significant player in the global SpaceTech industry.

 

The satellite launch is the latest achievement from the ongoing partnership between Bayanat, Yahsat, and ICEYE. The Earth Observation Space Program, established in 2023, aims to build national satellite remote sensing and Earth Observation capabilities within the UAE by developing a SAR satellite constellation.

 

This constellation will provide consistent data for SAR applications, covering the entire value chain by utilising the synergies between Yahsat’s upstream and midstream capabilities and Bayanat’s downstream capabilities.