The UAE’s Etihad-SAT is scheduled to launch on March 15, Saturday, at 10:39 a.m. (UAE time) from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, utilizing SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. This satellite marks a significant milestone as the first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite developed by the UAE, created in partnership with South Korea’s Satrec Initiative.

Etihad-SAT will provide high-precision Earth observation capabilities, functioning effectively both day and night, regardless of weather conditions. By employing radar signals, this satellite is designed to capture detailed images of the Earth’s surface, even in the presence of clouds, darkness, or rain. The development of this satellite began two years ago as part of a knowledge transfer program with Satrec Initiative.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) team initially focused on defining the satellite’s specifications and requirements, before advancing to the preliminary design and technical testing phases. These efforts ensured that Etihad-SAT meets the industry’s highest standards for performance and reliability.

The SAR technology embedded in Etihad-SAT facilitates uninterrupted and consistent data collection, which supports various industries. Such applications include detecting oil spills, managing natural disasters, enhancing maritime navigation, promoting smart agriculture, and conducting environmental monitoring.

The satellite will offer three imaging modes: spot mode for high-resolution imaging, scan mode for large-area coverage, and strip mode for extended observation. According to MBRSC, “Etihad-SAT SAR satellite is targeted to launch tomorrow at 10:39 am (UAE time). Live coverage starts at 10:15 am.”