The execution phase of Sirb programme has been launched marking a historic moment in the development of the UAEs space sector

The country's space sector, driven by the UAE's industrial sector, is experiencing a historic moment as Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, launch the execution phase of the Sirb programme.

The Crown Princes were given a thorough rundown of the goals of the project as well as an advanced technical development roadmap for the satellite mission. The stakeholders were also informed about the project's checkpoints and the procedures for creating and managing the satellites by a national industry group overseen by the UAE Space Agency.

Launched in 2026, the first satellite will supplement the UAE's investments in remote sensing technologies, which use a variety of satellite imagery to service diverse sectors. Regardless of the atmospheric circumstances, pictures may be captured by radar satellites day or night. With the use of cutting-edge imaging technology, this ground-breaking project represents the innovative construction of a constellation consisting of three synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, enabling high-precision findings in all weather scenarios.

Using qualified national talent and UAE companies, the project aims to strengthen the UAE's efforts to find solutions to environmental sustainability and climate change challenges, support food security challenges, integrate efforts to tackle natural disasters, and contribute to urban development. In order to strengthen the UAE's standing as a worldwide centre for talent, investment, and innovation, it also seeks to foster alliances with international organisations and provide incentives as an outgrowth of the Space Economic Zones initiative.

As a key partner, EDGE manages the initiative with an emphasis on the development of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload. Yahsat and Bayanat will oversee satellite operations and data, with NSSTC providing assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) activities as a contributing factor.

The consortium aims to strengthen the program's overall experience and skills and facilitate the expansion of the space private sector by extending its partnerships with other industry participants, SMEs, and startups.

In order to strengthen the UAE's sovereign capabilities in vital space domains, notably SAR payloads, EDGE will also seek to establish strategic alliances for technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and expertise development in satellite systems.

The UAE's leadership in space will be reinforced by this space project, which will also spur technical advancement and economic expansion.

The primary objective of the Sirb initiative is to commercialise the satellites and the data they produce, both domestically and globally. These incredibly precise space radar satellites will be useful for a variety of academic and industrial purposes, including mapping, natural disaster management, and environmental change monitoring.