ICEYE has announced a partnership with Space42 to manufacture Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites in the UAE. In this interview Rafal Modrzewski, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ICEYE, explains what this means for the UAE’s Earth Observation capabilities, how it benefits regional industries, and the current landscape for space-tech research and development

ICEYE announced a collaboration with Space42 to manufacture SAR satellites in the UAE. What does this partnership mean for the UAE’s Earth Observation capabilities, and how will it benefit regional industries?
As outlined in its National Space Strategy, the UAE aims to leverage Earth Observation (EO) technology to track environmental changes, optimise land management, and collect high-quality data for international efforts to address climate change and improve resource management. Through our partnership with Space42, which is based in the UAE, we are bringing the manufacture of cutting-edge Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites to the Emirates. Through this capability, the UAE will benefit from a large satellite constellation, enabling persistent and high-quality EO capabilities in any lighting or weather conditions.

As well as helping the UAE meet its Space Strategy objectives and national security goals, SAR satellite data will also be a significant benefit for businesses in the region. By powering enterprises with high-quality, granular EO intelligence, SAR satellites will help digitally transform a wide range of industries. In construction, for example, startups will be able to build tools that use EO data to monitor the progress of projects, manage traffic flows, and better plan urban developments. Similarly, innovative businesses could develop solutions for the UAE’s maritime sector such as optimising shipping routes or providing critical insights for logistics planning.

What opportunities do you see for UAE-based researchers and institutions to collaborate with ICEYE in advancing space-tech research and development?
The UAE is pursuing an ambitious programme to become a global space industry leader, and that opens the door to significant opportunities for R&D collaboration. We are already partnering with Space42 to help build national satellite remote sensing and EO capabilities within the UAE. Our joint venture will serve growing demand in the region for high-resolution imagery and data from SAR satellites. As part of the venture, Space42 has built two facilities in Abu Dhabi, including the Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) centre and LEO mission operations, which will act as the foundation for the UAE’s local SAR ecosystem.

Beyond this partnership, the UAE boasts several business incubators and accelerators that are helping to nurture space technology startups. As this community flourishes in the years ahead, we will weigh up any opportunities for collaboration and proceed where doing so makes sense for our business and for our customers.

What are the current challenges/pain points for the same?
Historically, any company looking to make an impact in space economy R&D has faced a significant barrier in the form of a high cost to entry. The good news is that in many areas this barrier is coming down. Legacy satellite technology, for example, came with a very high price tag, involving extensive development time and significant material costs, whereas SAR satellites are a much more cost-effective solution. So rather than the hundreds of millions it once took to get a satellite into space, the same can be achieved for tens of millions. As the space sector continues to grow in the years ahead, price points will likely continue to fall, acting as a further spur to innovation and collaboration.

What skills and expertise are essential for excelling in the New Space economy, and how is ICEYE supporting the development of these skills in the UAE?
If the UAE is to achieve its 2030 goals, it needs access to individuals with skills in areas such as satellite engineering, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. For young Emiratis aspiring to join the space sector, it’s essential to develop robust critical thinking skills, master systems engineering, and have a solid grounding in STEM disciplines.

In partnership with Space42, we are helping to train the workforce that will enable the UAE to achieve its EO and satellite manufacturing goals. Our young UAE engineers are already making their mark, actively engaging in SAR satellite production. Importantly, their expertise and knowledge will multiply as they later go on to mentor future talent and shape the UAE’s position as a global leader in space intelligence.

What’s next for ICEYE? How do you see your company scaling up in the coming years, and what new developments can we expect?
Our goal is to become the primary provider of critical infrastructure for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to allied nations. Our EO technologies will, we hope, become a new layer of global data infrastructure and have as much of an impact on businesses and societies as the infrastructure that enabled web search and cloud services.

We are closing in on this vision. Already we have the world’s largest micro-SAR constellation of satellites coupled with ground-based as well as aerial observation platforms. These are integrated into a data analysis platform that is available globally and ready to serve as the global source of real-time ground truth. We plan to build on this foundation with scores of new satellite launches annually while continuing to innovate to empower customers with unparalleled real-time information, analytics, and decision advantage.