The Dubai Motor Show was an opportunity to launch the development phase by the United Arab Emirates of an advanced radar satellite constellation program, called Sirb.
National Consortium
The Dubai Motor Show, which was held from November 13 to 17 in the largest city in United Arab Emirateswas the opportunity forUAE Space Agency (UAE Space Agency) to sign a strategic partnership with the military equipment manufacturing group Edgefor the establishment of a national industrial consortium responsible for the future satellite constellation program radar advances Sirband the launch of its development phase.
The geospatial intelligence enterprise Bayanat and the telecommunications satellite operator Yahsat are also associated, and will manage satellite operations and data.
The assembly, integration and testing operations will not be carried out by the MBRSC (Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center), but by the National Center for Space Science and Technology (NSSTC).
Either only partners based in Abu Dhabi.
A first in the Arab world
With this constellation announced in July 2022 as part of a new fund of more than $800 million, the WATER become the first Arab country to develop synthetic aperture radar imaging capabilities (SAR).
Evolving in low orbit from 2026 and operating in X-band, the satellites will make it possible to detect oil spills, assess crop yields, track ships and map urban areas, day and night and regardless of cloud cover. .
