ICEYE successfully launches 4 new SAR satellites
UAE’s Bayanat and Yahsat are ecstatic
ICEYE, the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation operator, successfully launched four new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites into orbit on August 16, 2024, aboard the Transporter-11 Rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The newly launched satellites, integrated via Exolaunch, are already establishing communication and entering early routine operations.
The four additions to ICEYE’s constellation enhance its capabilities and mark significant milestones in its partnerships with Bayanat and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat). They are the first ICEYE satellites launched for these two UAE-based customers.
Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-Founder of ICEYE, emphasised the company’s commitment to advancing Earth Observation technology: “With the continuous deployment of new satellites, we are advancing our vision of becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.
‘Trusted partner’
“This expansion reinforces our role as a trusted partner, providing timely and accurate insights to governments and commercial industries. We are particularly proud to launch the first ICEYE satellites for Bayanat and Yahsat and look forward to ongoing successful collaborations.”
Hasan Al Hosani, Managing Director of Bayanat, celebrated the launch as a significant achievement: “The deployment of our first satellite is a milestone for both our joint initiatives and the UAE. This marks a key step toward our future as Space42, enhancing our position as a leader in AI-powered geospatial analytics. Our collaboration with ICEYE and Yahsat continues to be instrumental in leveraging space insights for superior decision-making.”
Ali Al Hashemi, Group CEO of Yahsat, highlighted the launch’s broader impact: “The successful deployment of our SAR satellite underscores the synergies between Bayanat and Yahsat as we move forward with the anticipated merger to create Space42.
“Over the next three years, we plan to launch a SAR satellite constellation, expanding our capabilities as multi-orbit satellite operators and advancing satellite manufacturing in the UAE. This milestone reinforces our role as pioneers in the UAE’s space sector and global spacetech industry.”
Eric Jensen, CEO of ICEYE US, added: “The addition of these next-generation, US-manufactured satellites strengthens our ability to provide actionable data and insights to our customers.”
ICEYE’s constellation is renowned for its ability to precisely image any location on Earth, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
With plans to launch up to 13 new satellites in 2024 and 10-15 annually in subsequent years, Helsinki, Finland-based ICEYE continues to expand its capabilities following a successful launch of three new satellites in March 2024 and 10 in 2023.
ICEYE has offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the US.
Featured image: SpaceX’s Transporter-11 Rideshare mission lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on August 16, 2024, carrying the ICEYE payload of four SAR satellites. Credit: SpaceX/ICEYE
