The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced receiving the first signal from Etihad-SAT, its first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite.

It represents a technological leap in MBRSC’s satellite fleet, integrating radar imaging technology with existing optical satellite capabilities. Unlike traditional optical cameras, radar imaging relies on radio waves that penetrate clouds, darkness, and even rain, making it a powerful tool for consistent and uninterrupted data collection.

Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President of MBRSC, noted that the UAE is steadily advancing towards strengthening its position among the leading nations in space science and technology, guided by the vision and support of the leadership. “This milestone paves the way for leveraging space technologies across various fields that serve the nation.”

Strategic partnership

Etihad-SAT was developed through a strategic partnership with South Korea’s Satrec Initiative. MBRSC’s team led the technical specifications phase before moving on to preliminary design and technical validation to ensure compliance with the highest global standards. In the later stages, MBRSC engineers took the lead in finalising the design and manufacturing in partnership with Satrec Initiative.

Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of MBRSC, said the successful launch of Etihad-SAT reflects the progress made by the UAE in the space sector.

“This achievement reflects our commitment to advancing the UAE National Space Programme and is part of our ambitious strategy to drive innovation and space technology development.”

Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, said the achievement highlights the UAE’s capability to develop cutting-edge space technologies while maintaining strategic partnerships with the global space community.

“These collaborations are essential for knowledge exchange and advancing joint efforts, ultimately helping us achieve ambitious goals in space science and technology.”

Ee-Eul Kim, CEO & President, Satrec Initiative, said the milestone highlights the importance of international collaboration.

“We look forward to continued cooperation with MBRSC and the UAE in shaping the future of space technology.”

‘A powerful tool’

Asmaa AlJanaahi, Specialist, Image Processing Section at MBRSC, Asmaa pointed out that the data provided by Etihad-SAT will be processed using AI-powered technologies.

“Etihad-SAT transmits electromagnetic radar waves towards Earth, which then strikes various materials and bounce back. The reflectance varies between different materials based on their physical properties,” Asmaa said. “When these waves are reflected back to the satellite, it collects data that is analysed using artificial intelligence to generate high-resolution imagery. The process functions effectively in different weather conditions and even at night,” she noted.

Abdullah Harmoul, Project Manager, Etihad-SAT, explained the imaging modes used by the advanced SAR satellite for Earth observation.

“The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite Etihad-SAT provides precise imaging of Earth in three modes. The first one is spot mode, which covers small areas with higher resolution imaging. The second is scan mode, which provides wider area coverage, and the third is strip mode, which provides longer coverage,” Harmoul said.

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 satellite will be operated and managed by MBRSC’s Mission Control Centre, with specialised teams overseeing operations and analyse the data transmitted back to Earth.