The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has unveiled the first set of high-resolution images captured by MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT, the UAE’s most advanced imagery satellites. The release, which coincides with World Space Week 2025, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s ambitious space programme and demonstrates its growing sovereign capabilities in Earth observation technology.
A Dual-Technology Leap for the UAE
The newly released images showcase the powerful synergy between the two satellite systems. MBZ-SAT, named in honour of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and launched in January 2025, is the region’s most advanced optical satellite. Its initial captures include incredibly detailed views of key UAE landmarks like Dubai’s Expo City and the Ain Dubai observation wheel. Complementing this is Etihad-SAT, the MBRSC’s first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, launched in March 2025.
This satellite provides a critical all-weather, day-and-night imaging capability, able to penetrate cloud cover and darkness. By combining high-resolution optical data from MBZ-SAT with the versatile radar intelligence from Etihad-SAT, the UAE now possesses a comprehensive Earth observation toolkit to support strategic decision-making.
Showcasing Local Innovation and Talent
The development of these satellites underscores the UAE’s commitment to building a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. A remarkable 90 per cent of MBZ-SAT’s mechanical structures were manufactured locally, highlighting the rapid maturation of the country’s industrial and tech sectors. “The release of these first images from MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT reflects the strategic vision of our leadership and the dedication of our Emirati engineers,” said Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of the MBRSC. “By combining optical and radar technologies, the UAE is not only meeting its own needs but also contributing vital solutions to global challenges.”
The project also involved strategic international collaboration aimed at knowledge transfer. Etihad-SAT was developed with South Korea’s Satrec Initiative, a programme designed to enhance the skills and expertise of Emirati engineers.
Powering Critical Sectors with Advanced Data
Both satellites are engineered to deliver best-in-class data for a wide range of applications. The 750 kg MBZ-SAT features twice the imaging precision of previous regional models and can deliver images within two hours of capture—ten times faster than its predecessors. Etihad-SAT’s SAR data is processed using advanced AI systems to boost accuracy and speed, making it highly valuable for government, research, and commercial partners. The applications span disaster response, smart agriculture, urban planning, and infrastructure development. According to a report by UAE-based Space42, the addressable market for such geospatial intelligence in Gulf infrastructure alone is estimated at $1 billion to $2 billion annually.
About Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is an advanced scientific and technological hub responsible for making the UAE a world leader in space services and exploration. The Centre’s projects are integral to the UAE National Space Programme and include the Emirates Mars Mission, the UAE Astronaut Programme, the UAE Satellite Programme, and the Mars 2117 Programme. MBRSC is dedicated to developing indigenous space capabilities and fostering a new generation of Emirati scientists, engineers, and researchers.
Source: Gulf Business
