Bayanat, a provider of AI-powered geospatial solutions, and Yahsat, the UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider, have announced the successful launch of their first low Earth orbit (LEO) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. It went into orbit at the end of last week.
This initiative took place in partnership with ICEYE, a pioneer in SAR satellite operations for earth observation, persistent monitoring, and natural catastrophe solutions.
As part of the UAE’s Earth Observation Space Programme, created to build national satellite remote sensing and Earth observation capabilities within the UAE, this satellite is the first in a comprehensive SAR constellation that will deliver high-resolution, persistent monitoring solutions.
SAR technology is 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.
Compared to other new space SAR satellite services, ICEYE says its radar antenna covers much larger geographical areas and provides higher-resolution images of smaller areas, providing more value to customers.
The constellation of LEO satellites will provide a consistent data stream for end-to-end solutions for SAR applications. It will cover the entire value chain by leveraging the available synergies in Yahsat’s upstream and midstream capabilities and Bayanat’s downstream capabilities.
The orbiting satellites will revisit the Middle East more frequently, enabling Bayanat and Yahsat to deliver near real-time, high-definition images of on-the-ground conditions across the region and beyond. This initiative, say the companies, enhances their ability to provide timely and accurate geospatial insights, critical for applications in disaster management, maritime surveillance, and smart mobility.
In December 2023 we reported that Bayanat and Yahsat had announced plans for a merger, effective late this year. The new group will be named Space42. Shareholders approved the plans in April.