Etihad-SAT will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket at 10:39 AM UAE time
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) announced today that its first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, Etihad-SAT, is scheduled for launch tomorrow, March 15, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA.
Etihad-SAT will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket at 10:39 AM UAE time. The center noted that the launch date and timing may be subject to change based on weather and operational conditions.
“The launch of Etihad-SAT reflects the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities in the space sector by adopting the latest advancements in satellite development. Adding a SAR satellite to our fleet expands our ability to provide solutions that support our journey toward a knowledge and innovation-based economy. We will continue our mission to develop ambitious space projects that enhance our ability to tackle global challenges, provide innovative solutions that support environmental sustainability, and drive technological progress,” stated H.E. Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, chairman of MBRSC.
MBRSC, Satrec Initiative partner on Etihad-SAT’s development
Developed as part of a strategic partnership with South Korea’s Satrec Initiative, Etihad-SAT was designed with the involvement of MBRSC’s team, who led the technical specifications phase before moving on to preliminary design and technical validation to ensure compliance with the highest global standards.
MBRSC engineers then took the lead in finalizing the design and manufacturing in partnership with Satrec Initiative. The development is in line with the center’s commitment to enhancing national space capabilities through knowledge transfer and the localization of advanced technologies.
“Etihad-SAT is the result of our collaboration with Satrec Initiative as part of a knowledge-transfer program, marking a new milestone that enables us to gain expertise in SAR satellite development. With its advanced capabilities, the satellite will support many vital sectors in the UAE. This mission is a testament to our commitment to developing innovative space solutions that contribute to sustainable development, strengthen the national economy, and enhance the UAE’s standing in the global space industry,” stated H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, director general of MBRSC.
Etihad-SAT SAR satellite is targeted to launch tomorrow at 10:39 am (UAE time). Live coverage starts at 10:15 am.
Watch the launch: https://t.co/UpeGcR4zkk#EtihadSAT pic.twitter.com/1JV8cYPMen
— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) March 14, 2025
Satellite to enable high-precision Earth observation
Etihad-SAT is equipped with advanced SAR technology that enables high-precision Earth observation across all weather and environmental conditions during both day and night. The satellite offers three imaging modes: spot mode (high-resolution imaging for small areas), scan mode (wide-area coverage for large regions) and strip mode (extended observation for longer regions).
These features make Etihad-SAT a powerful tool for multiple industries, from detecting oil spills and managing natural disasters to enhancing maritime navigation, supporting smart agriculture and conducting environmental monitoring. Additionally, the data provided by Etihad-SAT will be processed using AI-powered technologies.
Following the launch, the satellite will be operated and managed by MBRSC’s Mission Control Center, where specialized teams will oversee operations and analyze the data transmitted from space to Earth.
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MBRSC’s upcoming missions
Under its satellite program, MBRSC has built, developed and operated several Earth observation satellites, including DubaiSat-1, DubaiSat-2 and KhalifaSat, the first satellite that was fully built by Emiratis as well as the recently launched MBZ-SAT, the most advanced satellite in the region.
MBRSC is also developing the Emirates Airlock, a crew and science airlock module for the Gateway lunar space station, humanity’s first international outpost to orbit the Moon. Additionally, the UAE will also be sending an Emirati astronaut on a Moon mission. Under the UAE Astronaut Program, MBRSC currently has four astronauts, two of who have undertaken missions to the International Space Station, including the longest Arab space mission in history by H.E. Dr. Sultan Saif AlNeyadi.
