IMAGING

Bayanat and Yahsat launch UAE’s first SAR satellite

Bayanat and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC, UAE announced the successful launch of their first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite into orbit on August 16, 2024, in partnership with ICEYE, a pioneer in SAR satellite operations for earth observation. It was launched via integrator Exolaunch and successfully 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.

Launching the UAE’s first SAR satellite is a significant milestone for the companies and the region to bolster Earth Observation capabilities. The satellite will use SAR technology, an active sensing system that illuminates the Earth’s surface and measures the reflected signal to generate high-resolution images. Unlike traditional optical imaging satellites, SAR can capture images day and night, regardless of weather conditions or solar illumination. www.yahsat.com

USPACE Technology Group and EgSA form joint venture

USPACE Technology Group Limited has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Egyptian Space Agency (“EgSA”), in relation to satellite manufacturing and testing, satellite launch, education and training. Both also intend to set up a joint venture in Cairo, Egypt, which will be one of the first commercialised aerospace companies in Egypt, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s aerospace business development in the Africa region. The collaboration of companies encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including the establishment of centers for satellite manufacturing, payload design and manufacturing, and component and precision manufacturing at the Egyptian Space City in Cairo Egypt. They will also establish an integrated satellite constellation for remote sensing and communication across the African continent and a globally oriented space laboratory in Cairo. www.uspace.com