The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced details of the launch of its first satellite with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) named Etihad-SAT. Developed in collaboration with the South Korean company Satrec Initiative, the satellite is scheduled for launch in the first week of March 2025 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA. Etihad-SAT will be a significant achievement in MBRSC's satellite development program, as it will be the first satellite equipped with SAR imaging technology.
MBRSC Director General Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori stated: "The launch of Etihad-SAT reflects our country's efforts to enhance its capabilities in the space sector, incorporating the latest achievements in satellite technologies." MBRSC General Director Salem Humaid Al Marri added that the satellite is the result of joint work with Satrec Initiative within the framework of a knowledge transfer program and will support key sectors of the UAE.
The development of Etihad-SAT began two years ago within the framework of a knowledge transfer program jointly with the Korean company Satrec Initiative. The satellite offers three imaging modes: spot mode (high-resolution imaging for small areas), scanning mode (wide coverage for larger regions), and strip mode (long-term observation of larger areas).
With the integration of Etihad-SAT into the current UAE satellite constellation, MBRSC's capabilities in the field of remote sensing will be significantly strengthened. MBRSC will monitor the operation of the satellite, ensuring operational exchange and data processing with the support of artificial intelligence. The integration of the satellite with radar technology in our satellite park expands our capabilities of providing solutions that support our path towards economic development and innovation.
