Two companies in the UAE are developing a swarm of radar satellites to send high-resolution images of disaster zones from space to boost critical relief efforts on Earth.
The Foresight constellation is a joint effort by Bayanat, a company responsible for processing satellite data, and satellite services company Yahsat, and will offer assistance to teams on the ground amid floods, earthquakes and other extreme events and crises.
It will deliver detailed images from orbit, regardless of weather conditions, day or night, and can “see” through clouds, smoke and debris to provide real-time data.
One of the planned seven synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites was launched aboard a SpaceX rocket last month, with the remaining to be placed in orbit over the next three years.
Such sophisticated imagery can help emergency workers to better understand the scale of incidents and pinpoint where help is needed most.
It highlights the value of the two companies working in tandem to harness technology as they plan to merge to establish a $4.1 billion AI-powered space technology business called Space42.
Helping to weather the storm
Hasan Al Hosani, Bayanat's managing director, told The National that the satellites would have helped assess the damage caused by the heavy rain in the UAE this year, which triggered flash flooding in the main cities, inundated roads and disrupted transport and people's daily lives.
“While we are waiting to get the satellites up in the orbit, we’ve actually been researching, developing and playing with SAR quite some time,” he said.
“We launched a platform called ‘AI for disaster management’ at Cop28, which utilises synthetic aperture radar data along with other means of remote sensing data.
“And, in partnership with the UAE Space Agency, we've done a case study on the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria… and on the heavy rainstorm that we’ve had earlier this year, as well as on the flood in Fujairah a couple of years ago.”
To build these case studies, Bayanat had to rely on observations made by spacecraft owned by other organisations.
But, once the Foresight constellation becomes active, it would have access to its own data, with satellites that will take detailed images of the location being studied.
Bayanat and Yahsat are working with European company ICEYE to develop the satellites, which are expected to also help with other sectors, such as urban planning and environmental monitoring.
“We're working closely with the Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi on both the agri-tech (agriculture technology) perspective and also on preservatories, so we can monitor, for example, the migration of birds,” said Mr Al Hosani.
“There are different applications that the SAR data can be utilised for, for example, we can also monitor oil spills if it happens.”
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The companies are also planning to build a dedicated centre, where future Foresight satellites would be assembled, integrated and tested, called an AIT facility.
Anna Hazlett, founder of AzurX, a UAE-based private advisory firm specialising in the space sector, told The National that the project was a welcome boost to the local space sector, which is currently valued at Dh40 billion.
“In terms of the UAE space sector, Bayanat’s Foresight SAR satellites represent a landmark,” she said.
“Not only are they the country’s first SAR capability, they will also boost the local space sector through the construction of a new satellite AIT facility in the UAE.
“This alone will have a positive secondary impact on the local space economy for engineering work and other services such as legal, insurance and financing.”
The UAE has been investing heavily in Earth observation capabilities, with the local market size currently estimated at $980 million and is expected reach $1.49 billion by 2029, according to market research company Mordor Intelligence.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), based in Dubai, has developed and launched five Earth observation satellites since 2009, ranging from nanosatellites (miniature satellites) to small-sized ones.
It will soon launch MBZ-Sat, its sixth Earth observation satellite that is meant to be the organisation's most advanced one yet.
Due to launch in October aboard a SpaceX rocket, it can also monitor climate change, urban development and disaster response.
Adnan Al Rais, an assistant director-general at the MBRSC, said at Sharjah’s International Government Communication Forum this year that MBZ-Sat could also help in the fight against fake news on climate change.
“Satellites and space technologies play a significant role as tools for providing accurate information by covering different locations around the world, especially remote areas without available services,” he said.
MBZ-Sat will deliver "three times the data our previous satellites offered”, benefiting decision-makers in sectors such as urban planning and environmental management, according to Mr Al Rais.
“We are part of the international charter to provide satellite images to countries facing natural disasters and, last year alone, we provided over 150 reports with satellite imagery to help these countries quickly manage crises,” he said.
Additional reporting by Salam Al Amir
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
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BMW M5 specs
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
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What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Three stars
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Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Jetour T1 specs
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
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