Space42 launched three new SAR satellites, advancing its Foresight Earth Observation constellation and UAE’s geospatial intelligence leadership.
ABU DHABI: Space42 has successfully expanded its Earth Observation constellation, Foresight, by launching three new SAR satellites—Foresight-3, Foresight-4, and Foresight-5—into Low Earth Orbit. The satellites were launched via SpaceX’s Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission from Cape Canaveral, USA, and have already established communication.
This marks the third launch in the Foresight programme since August 2024, bringing the constellation to a total of five satellites. Developed in partnership with ICEYE, the global leader in SAR technology, the constellation combines Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery with Space42’s AI platform, GIQ, to provide real-time, decision-grade geospatial intelligence across critical sectors.
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, stated: “Expanding the Foresight Constellation to five satellites in just over one year demonstrates our commitment to operating as a center of excellence for space innovation, and enhances the space ecosystem we are developing, that can scale globally from Abu Dhabi.”
Rafal Modrzewski, CEO of ICEYE, highlighted that their collaboration allows Space42 to deliver persistent coverage of key regions at middle latitudes using high-resolution SAR imagery. These satellites can detect change with greater speed and accuracy, delivering actionable insights across industries from emergency response to infrastructure monitoring.
The Foresight constellation’s 25-centimetre resolution and daily revisit capability make it a powerful tool for governments and enterprises. In real-world applications, SAR has proven invaluable—such as verifying the Atatürk Dam’s safety after a 2023 earthquake and assessing the UAE’s historic flooding in 2024 when other monitoring systems failed.
Manufactured in Finland and integrated at Abu Dhabi’s newly established SAR AIT facility, these satellites represent the UAE’s growing footprint in global space innovation. This integrated, cross-border production model supports the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030 and showcases its leadership in advanced satellite systems, high-tech manufacturing, and innovation.
The Foresight programme aims to reach full constellation maturity by 2027, positioning Abu Dhabi and the UAE as key players among only 20 nations with sovereign SAR satellite capabilities.
