UAE’s first SAR satellite, Etihad-SAT, successfully launched aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket

Dubai: Etihad-SAT, the UAE’s first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, was successfully launched today aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

The highly anticipated launch took place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the US.

This is a groundbreaking achievement for the UAE’s space ambitions and marks a significant milestone in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre’s (MBRSC) growing contributions to space exploration and technological innovation.

The launch was initially scheduled for 10.39am, but was later moved to 10.43am.

Developed as part of a strategic partnership with South Korea’s Satrec Initiative, Etihad-SAT was designed with the involvement of MBRSC’s team, who led the technical specifications phase before moving on to preliminary design and technical validation to ensure compliance with the highest global standards. MBRSC engineers then took the lead in finalising the design and manufacturing in partnership with Satrec Initiative.

Earth observation
Etihad-SAT is equipped with advanced SAR technology that enables high-precision Earth observation in all weather and environmental conditions, both day and night. The satellite offers three imaging modes: spot mode (high-resolution imaging for small areas), scan mode (wide-area coverage for large regions), and strip mode (extended observation for longer regions).

These features make Etihad-SAT a powerful tool for multiple industries, from detecting oil spills and managing natural disasters to enhancing maritime navigation, supporting smart agriculture, and conducting environmental monitoring. The data provided by Etihad-SAT will be processed using AI-powered technologies.