Bayanat, Yahsat Launch UAE's First SAR Satellite
The satellite has established communication, and initial operations are underway.
Bayanat AI PLC and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat) have launched the UAE’s first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite on August 16th. The launch, in partnership with ICEYE, was conducted through integrator Exolaunch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 11 rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA.
The satellite has established communication, and initial operations are underway.
The SAR satellite is part of the Earth Observation Space Program and will provide high-resolution monitoring using SAR technology. Unlike optical satellites, SAR can capture images day and night and in various weather conditions.
This deployment supports the UAE's National Space Strategy 2030 by advancing satellite remote sensing capabilities. The LEO satellites will offer near real-time, high-definition images, useful for applications in disaster management, maritime surveillance, and smart mobility.
In April, shareholders of UAE’s Bayanat and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. approved their merger plan. The fusion is set to establish SPACE42, a powerhouse in AI-driven space solutions.