Space42 & ICEYE Launch 3 SAR Satellites to Boost UAE EO

Abu Dhabi’s Space42, in collaboration with ICEYE, has successfully launched three new Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites—Foresight-3, Foresight-4, and Foresight-5—into Low Earth Orbit. The launch, part of the Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Cape Canaveral, marks a significant leap in the UAE’s Earth Observation capabilities.

The Foresight satellites, now in orbit, have already established communication and begun early operational checks. This expansion brings the total Foresight constellation to five satellites since the first launch in August 2024, combining SAR imaging with Space42’s AI platform, GIQ, to deliver precise, decision-ready geospatial intelligence.

Advanced SAR Capabilities for Real-World Impact

Operating at an impressive 25-centimeter resolution, the Foresight constellation provides daily revisit rates and sharper detection of changes on the ground. SAR satellites are uniquely capable of monitoring in all weather conditions, demonstrated in past events such as the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, which helped confirm the safety of the Atatürk Dam, and the UAE’s historic floods in 2024.

The combination of AI analytics and SAR imaging allows faster and more accurate decision-making across sectors. Governments can accelerate emergency responses by up to 90%, infrastructure operators can cut predictive maintenance costs by nearly 30%, and enterprises can reduce operational inefficiencies by about 25%.

A Model of Global Collaboration

The production of the satellites reflects a blend of international collaboration and local capability. Manufactured in Finland, the satellites were tested and integrated for the first time at Space42’s Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) facility in Abu Dhabi before their launch from the United States. This distributed model demonstrates the UAE’s growing role in global satellite innovation and advanced manufacturing.

With Foresight-1 and Foresight-2 already in orbit, the addition of these three satellites moves Space42 closer to full constellation maturity, targeted for 2027. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030, reinforcing the nation’s leadership in geospatial intelligence and high-tech satellite development.

The Foresight Earth Observation program now places the UAE among only 20 countries globally capable of operating SAR satellite systems, solidifying its position in the international space community.