UAE launches first radar imaging satellite into lower earth orbit
The SAR satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California by UAE companies Yahsat and Bayanat
The Bayanat-owned SAR satellite, in collaboration with Yahsat, successfully lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 11 rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. (Photo: WAM)
The UAE launched a satellite into lower earth orbit on Friday in the first step of a three-year program to develop a string of radar imaging devices in space to monitor conditions below.
The Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California by UAE companies Yahsat and Bayanat.
The two companies are in the process of merging to create a $4.1 billion AI-powered space technology business called Space42 – possibly creating one of the most valuable publicly listed space companies, The National reports.
Finland-based ICEYE worked with Bayanat and Yahsat to develop the satellite, which will be able to capture images day and night regardless of weather.
It has a sensing system that illuminates the Earth’s surface and measures the reflected signal to create high-resolution images.