Seven satellites will be launched as part of the UAE's Earth Observation space programme.
Following the merger between Bayanat and Yahsat earlier this week, Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Satellite Services, said that negotiations are underway to manufacture Earth observation (EO) satellites in the UAE, in line with the country’s plans to drive innovation and space technology.
Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), a subsidiary of Space42, plans to launch seven satellites as part of the UAE’s Earth Observation Space Programme, the first of which, Foresight-1 satellite, was launched in August 2023. Space42 will launch the Thuraya 4 satellite before the end of this year, while Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 are scheduled to be launched in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Foresight-1 is an important achievement for the country as it is the first satellite of the UAE’s Earth Observation Space Programme. With Foresight-1, the UAE joined the top 20 countries around the world that are active in operating and managing this category of satellites.