Space42 Ships First UAE-Integrated Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellites to the US

Abu Dhabi — October 9, 2025: UAE-based Space42 has achieved a major milestone in the country’s space ambitions by successfully shipping three Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites — Foresight-3, Foresight-4, and Foresight-5 — from its Space Systems facility in Abu Dhabi to the United States.

Developed in partnership with ICEYE, the global leader in SAR satellite operations, the satellites mark the first-ever completion of advanced integration and testing (AIT) activities in the UAE, underscoring the nation’s growing sovereign capabilities in space manufacturing and innovation.

This achievement aligns with the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030, advancing the country’s vision of becoming a global leader in Earth Observation (EO), geospatial intelligence, and AI-powered space technologies.

“This is a proud moment for Space42 and the UAE,” said Khalid Al Awadhi, Senior Vice President of Earth Observation Systems at Space42. “For the first time, satellites equipped with cutting-edge SAR technology have been tested in the UAE. This reflects how far we have come — from relying on imported technology to developing advanced platforms with our global partners.”

Once launched, Foresight-3, -4, and -5 will join the existing Foresight Constellation — which already includes Foresight-1 (launched in August 2024) and Foresight-2 (launched in January 2025). Together, these satellites will provide persistent, all-weather, 25-centimetre resolution imagery with global coverage.

The constellation’s imagery will be processed by GIQ, Space42’s proprietary AI analytics platform, which delivers decision-grade geospatial intelligence for use in disaster response, climate monitoring, logistics, urban planning, and national security.

This expansion brings Space42 closer to achieving constellation maturity by 2027, enhancing its competitive edge in the rapidly growing high-resolution Earth Observation market.

The programme also demonstrates the power of distributed manufacturing and international collaboration, with production in Finland and assembly and testing in Abu Dhabi. It reflects how Space42’s domestic AIT capabilities, Emirati engineering leadership, and global partnerships are driving innovation while ensuring supply chain resilience.

Looking ahead, Space42 plans to continue expanding the Foresight Constellation through 2027, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a regional leader in space technology and geospatial data intelligence.