Space42 launches three new SAR satellites

Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) and ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, today announced the successful launch of three SAR satellites in its Earth Observation (EO) constellation, Foresight-3, Foresight-4, and Foresight-5, into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Launched via integrator Exolaunch, the Foresight satellites successfully lifted off aboard the Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. The spacecraft has established communication, and early routine operations are underway.

First launched in August 2024, followed by another launch in January 2025, the Foresight Constellation combines SAR imagery and Space42’s AI platform, GIQ, to accelerate the delivery of decision-grade geospatial intelligence to governments, industries, and partners worldwide.

Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, said: “Expanding the Foresight Constellation to five satellites in just over one year demonstrates our commitment to operating as a center of excellence for space innovation, and enhances the space ecosystem we are developing, that can scale globally from Abu Dhabi. By combining sovereign capability with global collaboration, together with ICEYE, we deliver intelligence that matters across industries and borders. Space42’s strategy is to lead the premium geospatial intelligence market, and today’s milestone is proof of execution at speed and scale.”

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, said: “Working with Space42 demonstrates how ICEYE’s technology and operational expertise can help partners establish sovereign satellite capabilities. By launching mid-inclination SAR satellites, we are enabling Space42 to deliver persistent coverage across key regions at middle latitudes. We look forward to building even greater capabilities in the UAE and collaborating with our partners as they advance their space ambitions.”

The Earth Observation constellation’s key differentiator is its geospatial intelligence capability. Operating at 25-centimeter resolution enables GIQ to convert continuous visibility into real-time insights, delivered directly into decision workflows, with daily revisit rates, sharper detection of change, and lower latency in intelligence delivery.

Across industries, the benefits of SAR constellations are tangible. SAR’s strategic value was demonstrated in Turkey in 2023, when it confirmed the safety of the Atatürk Dam after a major earthquake while all other monitoring systems failed, and in 2024 during the UAE’s historic flooding.

WAM