Iceye and Space42 form a new joint venture in the United Arab Emirates. Photo: Space42

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites are to be manufactured in the UAE under a new joint venture between Space42 and Finnish space startup Iceye. The JV announced Dec. 9 builds on Space42 and Iceye’s successful collaboration for the production of the first batch of UAE-made Foresight constellation satellites.

Space42’s new assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) and LEO mission operations facilities in Abu Dhabi will be home to a local SAR ecosystem, hosting the JV’s manufacturing operations and Space42’s constellation operation services.

This joint partnership also serves as a platform for technology transfer and knowledge sharing to enable the UAE’s R&D efforts for future sovereign SAR payloads. The JV strengthens Iceye’s local footprint to support UAE’s growing need for SAR and Earth observation (EO) capabilities.

Focused on satellite manufacturing and deploying SAR satellite missions, this JV will advance the UAE’s EO Program, which was created to build national satellite remote sensing and EO capabilities. It will look to address the growing demand for high-resolution imagery and data from SAR satellites.

“This JV is expected to bring efficiency in deploying, managing and operating SAR constellations as Space42 and Iceye join forces to address the market in a coordinated approach. We are proud to see our satellite production line extended to manufacture the state-of-the-art SAR technologies in the UAE through our partnership with Space42, enhancing the global reach and positive impact of Iceye’s technology,” Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of Iceye said in a statement.