SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - South Korea’s Satrec Initiative on Tuesday released the first images captured by Etihad-SAT, a synthetic aperture radar satellite developed in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates.
The satellite, which operates on X-band electromagnetic waves, is capable of producing high-resolution images of Earth regardless of weather or lighting conditions — a key advantage of radar-based observation systems. Etihad-SAT was launched on March 15 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Equipped with a slot array waveguide antenna, the satellite can control its radar beam with precision without relying on complex mechanical movements. The design enables stable imaging with a resolution of 25 centimeters and an observation swath exceeding 100 kilometers, according to the company.
Kim I-eul, chief executive of Satrec Initiative, said the release of the images marks an important milestone in the company’s radar satellite development.
“We have secured a foundation for independent technology in the high-resolution SAR satellite sector, building on our expertise in optical satellite development,” Kim said. “We aim to contribute to the growth of the global space industry with our unique technology and flexible business models.”
The Etihad-SAT project reflects a growing collaboration between South Korea and the United Arab Emirates in space technology, combining Seoul’s manufacturing and engineering expertise with the UAE’s expanding ambitions in Earth observation and national space capabilities.
Synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, satellites can penetrate cloud cover and operate day and night, making them vital tools for defense, agriculture, disaster monitoring and urban planning. Satrec Initiative said combining radar and optical imaging technologies could further enhance global Earth observation systems and expand the commercial applications of satellite data.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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