Page 43 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2025

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

SATELLITE NEWS

UAE Launches Etihad-SAT: A Milestone in Earth Observation Technology

The United Arab Emirates has marked a significant achievement
in its space exploration endeavors with the successful launch of
Etihad-SAT, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre’s (MBRSC)
inaugural Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite. The launch
took place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA.
Confirmation of the satellite’s successful deployment was received
at the ground station in Dubai, when the first signal from Etihad-SAT
was detected. This milestone represents a major advancement in
MBRSC’s Satellite Development Programme, as Etihad-SAT is the
first of its kind equipped with SAR imaging technology. Etihad-
SAT’s advanced capabilities will significantly enhance the UAE’s
Earth observation capabilities, providing high-resolution images
regardless of weather conditions. This achievement reinforces the
UAE’s commitment to developing innovative space solutions. The the space sector.” Ee-Eul Kim, CEO & President, Satrec Initiative,
development of Etihad-SAT was made possible through a strategic congratulated the UAE on the successful launch, highlighting the
partnership with South Korea’s Satrec Initiative.MBRSC’s team importance of international collaboration in advancing space
played a leading role in the technical specifications, preliminary technology. Etihad-SAT’s integration of radar imaging technology
design, and technical validation phases, ensuring adherence to the with existing optical satellite capabilities marks a technological
highest global standards. In the later stages, MBRSC engineers leap for MBRSC’s satellite fleet. The satellite offers three imaging
took the lead in finalizing the design and manufacturing, in line modes: spot mode, scan mode, and strip mode, making it a
with the center’s commitment to enhancing national space powerful tool for various industries, including oil spill detection,
capabilities through knowledge transfer and the localization of natural disaster management, maritime navigation, smart
advanced technologies. “The UAE is steadily advancing towards agriculture, and environmental monitoring. The data collected
strengthening its position among the leading nations in space by Etihad-SAT will be processed using AI technology to enhance
science and technology,” stated Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, accuracy and efficiency. SAR technology’s ability to capture high-
Vice President, MBRSC. “Etihad-SAT represents a strategic step resolution images regardless of weather conditions, time of day,
in enhancing our Earth observation capabilities and gathering or atmospheric interference makes it a crucial tool for consistent
critical data that supports sustainable development.” Hamad and uninterrupted data collection. Etihad-SAT will be operated and
Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman, MBRSC, added, “The successful managed by MBRSC’s Mission Control Centre, with specialized
launch of Etihad-SAT is a testament to the support and vision teams overseeing operations and analyzing the data transmitted
of our leadership, reflecting the progress the UAE is making in back to Earth.

Vodacom Taps Amazon’s Satellites to Boost Mobile Internet in Remote Areas

The race to bring high-speed internet to every corner of the world com means it will primarily support mobile networks, connecting
is heating up, and South Africa's Vodacom is betting on Amazon’s remote cell towers to Vodacom’s core infrastructure. This part-
Project Kuiper to help bridge the digital divide in Africa. In case nership benefits both companies—it allows Vodacom to expand
you don't know, Vodacom is a telecommunications company its reach into rural Africa, possibly increasing its already massive
based in South Africa that provides mobile and internet services 43.8% market share while also giving Amazon a foothold in South
to over 45 million subscribers. Following successful prototype sat- Africa’s satellite market, something Starlink has failed to achieve
ellite launches in 2023, Vodacom has said it is preparing to deploy due to regulatory barriers. South Africa mandates 30% black own-
Kuiper’s network to extend 4G and 5G coverage to underserved ership for telecom operators, a requirement that has kept Starlink
regions—without the need for costly fibre infrastructure. Project from launching in the country. However, with Vodacom as a local
Kuiper is Amazon’s ambitious plan to launch 3,236 low Earth orbit partner, Kuiper may bypass this hurdle. On a more grand scale
(LEO) satellites, offering fast, low-latency internet worldwide. This though, Starlink still has quite a hold on Africa, operating in 19 out
puts it in direct competition with SpaceX’s Starlink, OneWeb, and of 54 countries and holding major market share in countries like
Telesat’s Lightspeed network. However, while Starlink focuses on Nigeria where it recently climbed up to become the second-largest
direct-to-home satellite internet, Kuiper’s partnership with Voda- ISP in the country.

43 MARCH-APRIL 2025