UAE’s First SAR Satellite Launched by Bayanat and Yahsat with SpaceX
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 launch took place on August 16, 2024, in partnership with ICEYE, a leader in SAR satellite operations.
The satellite was launched via integrator Exolaunch and lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 11 rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. The satellite has established communication, and early routine operations are underway.
This launch is a significant milestone for the companies and the region, enhancing Earth Observation capabilities. The SAR satellite will provide high-resolution, persistent monitoring solutions, capturing images day and night, regardless of weather conditions.
Hasan Al Hosani, Managing Director of Bayanat, stated, “The launch of our first satellite marks a highly anticipated milestone for both our collaborative efforts and for the UAE. This is a triumphant moment for Bayanat and a defining step toward our future as Space42.”
Ali Al Hashemi, Group CEO of Yahsat, added, “The successful launch of our SAR satellite is a testament to the synergies between Bayanat and Yahsat as we press ahead with the anticipated merger to form Space42.”
The Earth Observation Space Program, created in 2023, aims to build national satellite remote sensing and Earth Observation capabilities within the UAE. The constellation of LEO satellites will provide a consistent data stream for SAR applications, enhancing disaster management, maritime surveillance, and smart mobility.
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UAE -: UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East known for its modern cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
SAR Satellite -: SAR stands for Synthetic Aperture Radar, a type of satellite that uses radar to create detailed images of the Earth’s surface, even through clouds and at night.
Bayanat -: Bayanat AI PLC is a company in the UAE that specializes in artificial intelligence and geospatial data, which means they work with maps and location information.
Yahsat -: Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC, or Yahsat, is a company in the UAE that provides satellite communication services, like internet and TV, from space.
SpaceX -: SpaceX is an American company founded by Elon Musk that builds rockets and spacecraft to send things and people into space.
LEO -: LEO stands for Low Earth Orbit, which is a region of space close to Earth where many satellites orbit to take pictures or provide communication services.
ICEYE -: ICEYE is a company from Finland that makes small SAR satellites to help monitor the Earth for things like natural disasters and environmental changes.
Transporter 11 -: Transporter 11 is a mission by SpaceX that carries many small satellites into space at once, like a space bus.
Vandenberg Space Force Base -: Vandenberg Space Force Base is a place in California, USA, where rockets are launched into space.
Earth Observation -: Earth Observation means using satellites to take pictures and collect data about the Earth to study things like weather, forests, and oceans.
National Space Strategy 2030 -: The UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030 is a plan to develop the country’s space capabilities, including launching satellites and exploring space.