MBR Space Centre receives first signal from Etihad-SAT

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre(MBRSC) on Saturday announced the successful launch of its first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, Etihad-SAT.

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The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, aboard a Falcon9 rocket at 10:43am (UAE time). The team at the ground station in Dubai subsequently confirmed receiving the first signal from the satellite at 12:04 pm (UAE time).

Etihad-SAT represents asignificantmilestone in MBRSC’s Satellite Development Programme, as the first of its kind satellite equipped with SAR imaging technology.

The advanced capability will enhance the Centre's Earth observation capabilities by providing high-resolution images in all weather Conditions, while further reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to developing innovative space solutions.

Etihad-SAT was developedthroughastrategic partnership with South Korea's Satrec Initiative.

MBRSC's teamledthe technicalspecifications phase before moving on to preliminary design and technical validation to ensure compliance with the highest global standards.

In the later stages, MBRSC engineers took the lead in finalising the design and manufacturing in partnership with Satrec Initiative, The development is in line with MBRSC’s commitment to enhancing national space capabilities through knowledge transfer andthe localisation of advanced technologies.