The UAE launches the first project to develop a swarm of modern radar satellites

INA-  sources

The UAE announces the establishment of the “National Space Fund” with a capital of 3 billion dirhams to develop strategic and research projects in the space sector and support the establishment of national companies in space technology.

 With the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him”, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him”, the UAE launched Today, the National Program for Radar Satellites (Swarm) to develop a swarm of radar satellites, which provides 24-hour radar imaging and in all weather conditions, while the establishment of a national fund of 3 billion dirhams to support the space sector in the country was also announced.

This qualitative step comes within the framework of supporting the strategic directions of the space science and technology policy, which constitutes a reference framework for translating the UAE’s efforts and continuous endeavors to consolidate its excellence in the space sector and its advanced industries, qualify Emirati cadres and develop national companies that contribute to the sector’s growth and consolidation of its pillars.
The project aims to achieve a wide range of objectives that will enhance the UAE’s efforts to find solutions to challenges related to climate change and environmental sustainability and contribute to urban development, work to integrate efforts and support facing disasters and food security challenges, among others, by relying on qualified national cadres and Emirati companies, in addition to Encouraging partnerships with international institutions and providing them with incentives, which is an extension of the Economic Space Zones project aimed at consolidating the UAE’s position as a global center for talent, investment and innovation.
3 billion dirhams within the National Space Fund.

The UAE has announced the establishment of a specialized strategic fund to support the space sector in the country, working to provide financial resources and governance of its management in line with the state’s orientation towards finding alternative and innovative solutions to finance projects and develop the sector. 3 billion dirhams in promoting investments from interested entrepreneurs and private companies, and working to finance and facilitate the development of future space activities and projects, as the space sector in the UAE is witnessing a great development and a tendency to involve the private sector in space activities, especially in the field of remote sensing and communications, and agencies play Space has the role of developing capabilities and supporting the sector by raising its readiness and creating investment opportunities.

The Space Fund aims to sustain capacity development in the space sector, qualify Emirati cadres to lead the sector of national priority, increase the UAE space sector’s contribution to diversifying the national economy, encourage the private sector, and attract specialized companies globally to develop their projects and activities in the UAE and make it a major center for work and investment in space. The fund will promote and build partnerships between national companies and global advanced technology companies.

The fund includes within its plans and projects the establishment of an academy to develop the capabilities of engineers in the development of satellites, a space data complex, and the establishment of a business incubator to support small companies with experience and contracts, ensuring their work in projects that are developed by the fund.

Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Space Agency, affirmed that the UAE’s launch of the “Serb” project reflects the country’s ambitious strategic vision in the space sector and is an important qualitative step that enhances the UAE’s position in the field of launching and developing satellites with technological complexity. Advanced.

Al Amiri indicated that the UAE attaches great importance to developing the space economy, based on its growing role as one of the vital sectors that enable governments to diversify their economies, and enhance the benefit of the technological solutions it provides in various fields, which opens the way to unprecedented economic, scientific and investment opportunities.
Al Amiri added: “The UAE’s efforts to consolidate the space sector continue within the country’s diversified economic system, and the UAE is keen to provide a stimulating environment for local companies working in the field, in addition to strengthening global partnerships with many scientific and research bodies and specialized economic institutions. Programs in the sector provide incentives for companies and investors to enter this field and take advantage of the opportunities it provides.

The national program for remote sensing radar satellites is one of the quality programs and the first in the Arab world in the space sector, as it will contribute among its objectives to monitoring the changes that occur on the planet due to climate changes and working to find innovative solutions for environmental sustainability and resources on the surface of the earth, while the satellite system contributes To meet the various economic and environmental needs in a way that supports the competitiveness of the UAE and its national economy by adopting advanced space technologies that serve the vital sectors in the country.
The first Arab satellite for radar sensing.

The National Radar Satellite Project includes the first Arab satellite for radar sensing. The program, which extends for 6 years, will provide the UAE for the first time with continuous data from space around the clock and in all weather conditions, using advanced technology in which imaging accuracy reaches / to less than 1 meter /, through which a flock of commercial radar satellites will be developed to support the economic sectors and a number of vital sectors in the country.

The program will also include concluding contracts for national companies to develop radar satellite systems and process their data in the same way as the UAE mission to explore the asteroid belt. And opening the door to employment for them to develop their expertise in the field of space and support them to enter the private sector by establishing companies in the same field, and according to the project’s time plan, the first satellite will be launched within the swarm of satellites within three years.

It is noteworthy that the value of commercial spending in the UAE space sector during the past few years amounted to 9 billion, while the contribution of the private sector amounted to 50% of the total spending on the UAE space sector in 2019, which reflects the participation of the government and private sectors in contributing to investment and development of this sector.

 
source: middle east 24