Space42 activates three new SAR satellites

• Satellites launched into mid-inclined low Earth orbits to extend coverage across regions where more than 90% of world’s population resides.

UAE-based Space42 said the Foresight-3, Foresight-4 and Foresight-5 satellites are fully operational, advancing its Foresight Earth observation (EO) constellation to five Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) spacecraft and enabling continuous data acquisition and decision-grade geospatial intelligence.

The trio was built with Finland’s ICEYE under a technology-transfer partnership, with critical integration and testing completed at Space42’s Assembly, Integration and Testing facility in Abu Dhabi.

CEO Hasan Al Hosani said the expansion strengthens national capability and positions Space42 to scale globally as a preferred partner for premium geospatial data.

The satellites were launched into mid-inclined low Earth orbits to extend coverage across regions where more than 90 per cent of the world’s population resides. Foresight’s SAR imagery feeds Space42’s AI-powered platform, GIQ, which converts raw data into intelligence within minutes and maintains consistent performance day and night.

Space42 says the system delivers 25-centimetre resolution, all-weather imaging, and supports use cases from emergency response—potentially reducing response times by up to 90 per cent—to predictive maintenance and operational efficiency gains.

The company cites accelerating demand for EO as governments and industries leverage geospatial intelligence for risk management, climate goals and security, with EO insights projected to generate more than $700 billion in economic value by 2030.

Backed by the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030 and investments in sovereign infrastructure, AI integration and local manufacturing, the expanded Foresight constellation underscores the country’s push to become a leading supplier of advanced EO capabilities.